Exam Review

1. Write a paragraph in which you outline the differences between "shared hosting" and "dedicated hosting."

2. Write a paragraph in which you describe the elements of a co-location service.

3. Write a paragraph in which you identify and briefly describe the three key elements that must exist in any electronic commerce software package.

4. Giving online customers alternative paths that lead to products in which they might be interested is important. In one or two paragraphs, explain how static and dynamic catalogs might facilitate or inhibit customers as they try to find a particular product on a company's Web site.

5. In about 100 words, outline and briefly describe the main functions of shopping cart software.

6. Electronic commerce software must summarize sales and shipments. In about 100 words, explain how software for a small online store might accomplish this task and contrast it with how software for a large enterprise might do so.

7. In two or three paragraphs, explain why database software is an important element in an electronic commerce site.

8. Write a paragraph in which you define "middleware." In a second paragraph, explain what types of businesses might use middleware and why.

9. In two or three paragraphs, describe what functions can be added to a Web site using Web services.

10. In about 100 words, explain the difference between session cookies and persistent cookies. In your answer, be sure to include how each type of cookie is used.

11. In two or three paragraphs, outline the differences between first-party cookies and third party cookies.

12. In one or two paragraphs, explain what a Web bug is, what it accomplishes, and who might use one.

13. In a paragraph, explain why active content poses a threat to client devices.

14. In a paragraph or two, explain why a zombie farm could cause more damage than a Trojan horse.

15. In one or two paragraphs, explain how remote wipe software can increase security for the user of a mobile device.

16. Write a paragraph in which you describe the purpose and use of a sniffer program.

17. In a paragraph or two, describe what an anonymous Web service does and explain why individuals or businesses might use one.

18. In a paragraph, briefly describe what occurs in a denial-of-service attack.

19. In about 100 words, describe how a digital certificate is used in an SSL exchange between a Web server and a Web browser.

20. In two or three paragraphs, describe a firewall and how it works.

21. In about 100 words, discuss issues that arise when processing small payments (under $10) for online transactions. Be sure to include a discussion of possible solutions to any problems you identify.

22. In one or two paragraphs, explain the difference between an open loop and a closed loop payment card processing system.

23. In one or two paragraphs, describe the role of an acquiring bank in processing online payment transactions.

24. In one or two paragraphs, explain what a payment processor does and identify the types of online businesses that might use its services.

25. In about 100 words, explain what a digital wallet is and how it can be used. Include discussions of software- versus hardware-based digital wallets and server-side versus client-side digital wallets.

26. Write a paragraph in which you outline the differences between smart cards and other types of payment cards.

27. In two or three paragraphs, explain how a phishing attack could be used to perpetrate identity theft.

28. List and briefly describe four activities that a company might undertake in the formation of an online business initiative.

29. No matter how a company measures the benefits provided by an online business implementation, it usually tries to measure those benefits in monetary units. In a paragraph or two, explain why this is a good practice.

30. In a paragraph or two, outline the funding options available to a small business owner who wants to open an online store.

31. In one paragraph, explain why early outsourcing is often used for some parts of electronic commerce projects.

32. In two or three paragraphs, outline the benefits of using an incubator (internal or external) to launch an online business implementation.

33. In two or three paragraphs, explain why the head of the business management function of an electronic commerce initiative should be an employee of the company implementing the project, even if most of the work is outsourced.