Internet Services and Applications : Practice Questions

Which of the following multimedia file formats is generally preferred for web pages due to its balance of quality and relatively small file size for static images?

A student is researching information about climate change for a school project. They encounter a website that presents very strong, emotional opinions without citing any scientific studies or data. To critically analyze this source, which of the following is the most important question to ask?

When a web browser successfully connects to a secure e-commerce website (indicated by 'HTTPS'), a complex series of steps and protocols are involved to display the webpage content securely. Beyond the initial domain name resolution, which of the following statements accurately describes the fundamental roles of Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure (HTTPS), Transmission Control Protocol (TCP), and Internet Protocol (IP) in fetching the webpage content?

When using an Internet service for real-time video conferencing, which underlying technology allows the media to be viewed as it is received, rather than waiting for the entire file to download?

A student is researching a controversial topic online and finds several articles. To critically analyze the sources of information, which of the following practices is MOST effective?

A company is conducting a global videoconferencing session for its employees. Briefly explain why streaming technology is used instead of downloading the entire video file first, and identify one network protocol commonly used to ensure the security of data transmitted during this session.

A multinational corporation uses streaming technology for its annual global conference and a VPN for remote server access. Explain how the integration of these two technologies specifically addresses the simultaneous needs for real-time data delivery and end-to-end data confidentiality during a private corporate broadcast.

Explain the primary function of the Domain Name System (DNS) in enabling users to access websites, and how it differs from a Uniform Resource Locator (URL).

The Internet has revolutionised how we access and consume multimedia content. One key technology that enables this is streaming.

(a) Explain the concept of streaming technology in the context of accessing multimedia content on the Internet.

(b) Identify two common applications of streaming technology on the Internet.

(c) For one of the applications identified in part (b), briefly describe how streaming technology is utilised to deliver its service.

GlobalTech Solutions, a multinational company, has adopted a hybrid work model, requiring robust Internet services for its globally distributed workforce. The company needs to implement various solutions for internal team collaboration, external client engagement, secure data handling, and company-wide information dissemination.

(a) Real-time Collaboration and Performance

The company regularly conducts internal team meetings requiring real-time video conferencing and hosts large-scale public webinars for client product launches.

(i) Compare and contrast the underlying Internet services and protocols primarily involved in supporting a real-time video conference for internal team meetings versus a large-scale public webcast for product launches. Focus on how data is transmitted and the key differences in infrastructure or service requirements to ensure optimal performance and reach for each scenario. (4 marks)

(b) Secure File Sharing and Archiving

Employees frequently need to share large, sensitive project files internally and externally, and all important communications must be archived securely.

(i) Evaluate two different Internet-based file transfer or storage services/protocols that GlobalTech could use for sharing sensitive project files, explaining their respective advantages and disadvantages regarding security features, access control, and efficiency for large files. (2 marks)

(ii) Explain how email (as an Internet service) can be used effectively as part of a secure archiving strategy for important communications, and identify one significant limitation of email for real-time collaborative document editing compared to other modern Internet applications. (2 marks)

(c) Information Dissemination and Ethical Use

GlobalTech frequently publishes research papers and company updates. They also need to manage employee discussions and ensure ethical Internet use.

(i) Beyond a public website, propose two distinct Internet services/applications GlobalTech could leverage to disseminate official company announcements and facilitate employee discussion on research topics, respectively. For each service, describe a key feature that makes it suitable for its intended purpose. (2 marks)

(ii) Briefly explain how the company can promote the ethical and legal use of these Internet services among its employees, referring to a general principle of responsible ICT use. (1 mark)