Basic Knowledge of Computer Application

Networking Protocols & Cybersecurity

IPv4 vs IPv6, HTTPS, Public Key Infrastructure (PKI), Digital Signatures, Phishing, and Malware.

Target: EPFO APFC 2026Topic-Level RAG Context ActiveModel: Nemotron 3.5 Lightning 30B / 120B

Topic Overview

IPv4 vs IPv6, HTTPS, Public Key Infrastructure (PKI), Digital Signatures, Phishing, and Malware.

Key Syllabus Concepts

  • TCP/IP & OSI Model Layers (Application, Transport, Network, Data Link, Physical)
  • Protocols: HTTP/HTTPS, FTP, SMTP, POP3/IMAP, DNS, DHCP
  • Asymmetric Cryptography: Public Key (Encryption) & Private Key (Decryption/Digital Signature)
  • Cyber Threats: Phishing, Ransomware, Trojan, Man-in-the-Middle (MitM), Zero-Day Exploit
  • Information Technology Act, 2000 (Section 66, Section 43A) & CERT-In guidelines

High-Yield Important Points & Rules

  • 💡 Digital signatures provide Non-Repudiation, Authenticity, and Integrity using the sender's Private Key.
  • 💡 IPv4 uses 32-bit addresses whereas IPv6 uses 128-bit addresses.

Historical UPSC EPFO PYQ Relevance

2 Matched PYQs
2025EPFO APFCGeneral Ability Test• Q.61
Full Question
Which one among the following correctly stands for SSL encryption with regard to banking websites?
2023EPFO APFCGeneral Studies• Q.82
Full Question
82. Which one of the following is not a correct IP address? (a) 201.54.122.107 {b) 102.45.221.710 (c) 102.45.201.22 (d) 250.234.123.124

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