Computer Networks

A computer network is a group of computing devices connected to each other by a wired or wireless connection. Computing devices on a network use defined communication protocols to use services from and exchange data with each other. The devices can include computers, smartphones, printers, storage devices, and any other device that can connect to a network and communicate with the other devices using the network protocols.

Today, almost all applications you use on your computing device need to connect with another computing device for some service or data. Being on a network also allows users to do more things with their computing devices, especially when working with other people and their devices. Exchanging documents, photos, music, videos, and messages with each other has become a way of life for all of us today, which would not be possible with all computing devices being on a network.

Air gapping a computing device is a security measure employed to ensure that the device is completely physically isolated from any other computing device. In such a scenario, the computing device must be fully equipped with all the programs and data it needs to do its tasks without relying on any other comuting device. This is an extreme security measure adopted in some situations such as the need to prevent the spread of malware (malicious software).