Implications of network connection...

[catsniffer]

Hey!

What are the implications of connecting a pc to a network?

Odd question but that's a question I gotta answer as part of an assignment, and I haven't a clue how to answer it!

I understand there may be delays when using shared resources like printers etc...but what else do I need to cover?
I'm a bit of a noob to this!!

Cheers for any help you can give me

Alan

 

[The Astroman]

Well, a network can result in the following things;

- An internet connection
- People on the network might be able to exploit your computer's ressources, e.g. Streaming media files, using a connected printer, saving data onto your memory devices etc..
- You are exposed to a security risk; unplugged to a network, there is no way someone can infiltrate and corrupt/delete data unless they're actually on spot using a computer. Being on a network means someone can infiltrate it, infiltrate you, especially if the network is connected to the internet and/or is wireless.


That's more or less what I can think of for now. Hopefully this will help you.

 

[catsniffer]

Hey Astroman!
Cheers for the reply, that's cool, I had answered it the exact same way, but I thought I was missing something really obvious
Thanks for your help!

 

[tobywuk]

Pro's:

Access to online media, eg music and video
Downloadable content
Masses of online information for research and education.
Instant communication to anyone over the world.

Cons:
Viruses and exploits
Identity Theft
Fraud and stolen credit card details
Invasion of privacy
Cost of connecting including hardware, software and the service itself.