Cyber Security for Beginners ~ 1.4 Understanding Networks
Computer networks allow devices to communicate with each other. Understanding the different types — LAN, WAN, MAN, and PAN — is a key first step in cyber security awareness.
# Cyber Security for Beginners ~ 1.4 Understanding Networks
Computer networks are essential in our increasingly digital world. At their core, networks are systems that allow different devices, like computers and smartphones, to communicate with each other.
The infrastructure of a network consists of various types that serve specific purposes:
- **LAN (Local Area Network)** — connects devices in a limited area, such as a home or office.
- **WAN (Wide Area Network)** — connects facilities over vast distances.
- **MAN (Metropolitan Area Network)** — covers a city or large campus.
- **PAN (Personal Area Network)** — the smallest scale, typically connecting personal devices within a short range.
Each network type is tailored for different scales and use cases, forming the backbone of how we share information and communicate digitally. Understanding these distinctions is a key first step in recognising how cyber threats can travel across them.