Tutor profile: Nathan M.

What is a function, and why would I use it?

A function is a callable portion of script within a script or in an imported module. It is great for providing a simplified and consistent operation and result. Instead of creating similar lines of code repeatedly throughout a script or in subsequent scripts, one can call the function, passing unique input data where applicable, and get the necessary output data in return. An example might be that a script needs to log into multiple remote devices and retrieve the hostname for each device. The script can call a predefined function for each device, providing an ip address (possibly input by the user at runtime, or read via an input file). The function would then carry out the routine, repetitive steps of logging in and finding the hostname, which it could return for further processing, such as displaying to the user.

Is the cloud a safe place for private or confidential information?

I don't find it any less secure than any on-premise facility or personal residence with internet connectivity. It's all about maintaining proper security controls in the environment. It's important to maintain/rotate passwords and use encryption and multi-factor authentication wherever possible. Especially when a third party is involved, don't be caught off guard with a data breach.

Can I really hack a router to retrieve an old email, as I saw in a popular television series a few years back?

Ethical considerations and your hacking skill level aside, you would have a hard time retrieving an email that has long since passed through a router. It's not a storage device, so you would have to intercept the email as it's passing through (such as when the email is sent), and it would have to be sent unencrypted at that. There is also a chance that different packets (parts) of the email could take different paths along the way, so your best bet to intercept all the packets would be at a router extremely close to the sending or receiving mail server.