Communication
Cambridge IGCSE ICT Revision Guide
The Big Idea: The internet runs on protocols (rules), enabling secure communication through email, websites, and forums — but you need to understand how they work and when to use them safely.
Chapter Summary
Email
Messages, files, guidelines, security, netiquette, and spam detection.
The Internet
Networks of networks: blogs, forums, wikis, social media, search engines, and information evaluation.
Protocols
Rules for communication: HTTP/HTTPS, FTP, SSL/TLS — each with a specific purpose.
📧 Email: Digital Correspondence Done Right
What is Email?
Email is a method of exchanging messages and files over the internet. It's one of the oldest and most reliable ways to communicate digitally, and it's still the backbone of professional communication.
Main Uses of Email:
- Personal communication — staying in touch with friends and family
- Professional correspondence — work-related messages, documents, and project collaboration
- Marketing — companies sending newsletters, promotions, and updates
Email Guidelines & Constraints
Companies provide guidelines about email use. These guidelines cover three main areas:
1. Purpose of the Email
Before you send, ask yourself: "Is this the right tool for this message?" Email is great for formal requests, documentation, and file sharing — but for urgent, complex discussions, a phone call is often better.
2. Acceptable Language Guidelines
Language must be appropriate for the recipient and purpose. A message to your teacher looks different from a message to your friend.
The Golden Rules:
✓ Use professional tone in work/school emails
✓ No offensive, obscene, racist, or violent content
✓ No illegal material
✓ Include a clear subject line
✓ Use a professional email address
✓ Use professional salutations ("Dear Mr. X" not "Hey")
✗ Do NOT use all capitals (it implies shouting)
⚠ Emails can be monitored — you can be punished for what you write
💡 Quick Tip: Think of email as a formal letter. Even casual emails should have proper punctuation and spell-checking. A sloppy email reflects badly on you.
3. Email Security
Your inbox is a gateway to your personal data, bank accounts, and identity. It must be protected.
Security Must-Haves:
• Strong passwords (long, mixed case, numbers, symbols)
• Frequently changed passwords (don't reuse old ones)
• Spam filters enabled (catches junk before you see it)
• Antivirus software installed (protects against malware)
• Protection from both passive attacks (eavesdropping) and active attacks (malware injection)
Think of it like your front door: Your password is the lock, spam filters are the security camera, and antivirus is the security guard. All three work together to keep the bad stuff out.
Netiquette: Digital Respect
Netiquette (Internet etiquette) is the agreement to respect others online. It's not a formal rule book — it's about being a decent human in digital spaces.
Core Principles of Netiquette: