Mastering Computer Hardware and Software Basics Quiz

The intangible components of a computer system, such as programs and applications, fall under the category of software. Hardware refers to the physical components of a computer system, firmware is the software that is embedded into hardware devices, and data is information processed by the computer system.

Keyboards, monitors, and printers are all examples of peripheral devices as they are external devices connected to a computer to provide input, output, or other functionalities. Input devices are devices used to input data into a computer while output devices are used to receive data from a computer. Central processing units (CPUs) are the primary components of a computer responsible for processing data and executing instructions.

A mouse is a common pointing device used with computers. It allows users to move the pointer on the screen by physically moving the entire device on a desk. Trackpad, stylus, and joystick are other types of pointing devices, but they do not require moving the entire device around on a desk to control the pointer.

A graphics card is responsible for rendering images and videos to be displayed on a monitor, while a keyboard, mouse, or printer do not directly contribute to graphic display.

The processor, also known as the Central Processing Unit (CPU), is the component of a computer system that is responsible for carrying out the instructions of a computer program by performing the basic arithmetic, logical, control, and input/output operations specified by the instructions.

In computing, a bit represents the smallest unit of data and is typically used to store binary information - either a 0 or 1. While a byte consists of 8 bits, a nibble is half a byte (4 bits).

A megabyte is a unit of digital information storage that equals one million bytes.

RAM (Random Access Memory) is a type of computer memory that is used to temporarily store data and programs while the computer is in use. It is much faster than the computer's hard drive, allowing for quicker access to the information needed for processing tasks.

The BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) is a type of firmware used to perform hardware initialization during the booting process. It is responsible for initializing and testing hardware components, loading the operating system, and providing runtime services for the operating system.

A file is the correct term used to refer to a named collection of data stored on a disk. While folders, directories, and documents are also related to data storage, they are not the specific term used for a single collection of data.

The data bus is responsible for transferring data between the computer and its peripheral devices. The motherboard connects all components, the CPU processes instructions, and the power supply provides electricity.

A modem is specifically designed to convert digital signals to analog signals for transmission over telephone lines. Routers, switches, and firewalls are not designed for this purpose.

A firewall acts as a barrier between a trusted network and an untrusted network, monitoring and controlling incoming and outgoing network traffic based on predetermined security rules.

Specifications refer to the detailed technical information about hardware components, such as dimensions, power consumption, and performance metrics. Features, capabilities, and descriptions are related concepts but do not specifically refer to the technical details of hardware components.

Modifying data involves processing it in some way to change its form or content, which is why the correct term is processing. Editing refers more to making changes to text or documents, formatting is related to the layout or style of data, and analyzing involves examining data for patterns or insights.

A 'hard copy' refers to a printed version of computer output, while 'soft copy', 'digital copy', and 'paper copy' are not commonly used terms to describe printed computer output.

A byte consists of eight bits, while a kilobyte, megabyte, and gigabyte consist of 1024, 1024^2, and 1024^3 bytes respectively.

RAM (Random Access Memory) is a type of computer memory that can be accessed randomly; ROM (Read-Only Memory) is non-volatile memory that stores data permanently; CPU (Central Processing Unit) is the brain of the computer that performs instructions; GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) is responsible for rendering graphics.

The correct answer is 'hard disk (hard drive)' because it refers to the magnetic storage media commonly found inside computers. Random access memory (RAM) is volatile memory used for temporary storage, solid state drive (SSD) is non-magnetic storage used for faster data access, and compact disc (CD) is an optical storage medium, not magnetic.

Flash memory is a type of non-volatile memory that can be electrically erased and reprogrammed. It is commonly used in USB drives, SSDs, and memory cards.

A network interface card is necessary for a computer to connect to a network and communicate with other devices. A USB hub, graphics card, or wireless mouse do not serve the same purpose in networking.

Phishing is a type of online scam where cybercriminals send emails pretending to be from reputable companies in order to induce individuals to reveal personal information, such as credit card numbers and passwords, by directing them to phony websites.