ecdl/icdl module 1 - concepts of ict (information and communication technology) - presentation...

European Computer Driving

Licence

Module 1 – Concepts of IT

Section 1 – General Concepts

Module 1 - Concepts of ICT - Section 1 - General Concepts

Types Of Computer

Mainframe computers

Networked Computers

Personal Computers

Laptop/Notebook Computers


Personal Digital

Assistants/Handheld Computers

Personal digital assistants (PDAs)

Mobile Phones / Smartphones

Multimedia players


Mainframe Computers Large, fast and expensive

Used by large organisations such

as utility companies, banks or

multinational companies

Connect hundreds or thousands of

users

Users connect via terminals which

are located in different cities or

even abroad

Dumb terminals – these types of

terminals cannot be used unless they

are connected to the mainframe

Intelligent terminals – e.g. a personal

computer connected to a mainframe,

can also be used when not connected

to the mainframe

Mainframe

London

Dublin Paris

New York


Server

Networked Computers Personal computers connected to

a server via network cards and cables

The software and data is stored on the central server rather than installed individually on each PC

The network also enables a fast Internet connection, printers and scanners to be shared

Users access allocated resources via a user name and password

Very popular with small-to-medium-sized businesses, schools and colleges/adult education centres


Personal Computers

An indispensable tool for

managers, humble office

workers and home users

Two main types:

Desktop model – the system

unit sits horizontally on a desk

and the monitor is placed on top

Tower model – the system unit

is vertical so can be placed on

the floor to save desk space

Hardware devices (screen,

keyboard and mouse) attached

to the system unit (by a cable)

are called peripheral devices


Notebook/Laptop Computers

Similar in specification to a

personal computer

Monitor and keyboard are

integrated into a single unit

Can be used from the mains or

with a built-in rechargeable

battery

More expensive than personal

computers due to

miniaturisation of computer

components

Ideal computer for business

people and ICT trainers who are

constantly on the move


PDAs/Handheld Computers

Handheld computers

which have superseded

electronic organisers

Some use a stylus which

you use to write or draw on

the screen

Run very basic cut-down

software such as

calculator, address book

and notepad functions

Can be connected to a PC

to synchronise data

PDAs can also be used as

mobile phones and can

access the Web to send

and receive emails



Mains Parts of a PC Monitor – display results of processing

System Unit (Computer Case) – contains all basic computer components (CPU, motherboard, microchips, etc) that do all the hard work

Keyboard – enable text and commands to be input into computer

Mouse – enable user to point and click at pictures and menus

Hard Disk Drive (HDD) – inside System Unit , to store programs & data

DVD Drive – read/write CD/DVD

Speakers – play music, listen to voice

Modem – connect to internet

Starting Your Computer

Press the power switch on the front of your laptop

Logging by typing:

Username: michael

Password: xxxxxxxx

After a short period, the Windows desktop will appear

REMEMBER: WORK SAFELY!!


Hardware and Software Hardware

Refers to the physical parts of a

computer – those parts which

you can see or touch

Such as monitor, keyboard,

mouse, CD-ROM drive, printer,

etc

Software

Primarily a list of instructions

coded in a special way that

computers can understand

o Operating system software –

eg Windows which works in the

background and controls your

software and hardware devices

o Applications software – eg

Microsoft Word – software

used to perform tasks


General Concepts

Information & Communication Technology

General term used to describe the use of computers to store, process and transfer information

Can also refer to other office equipment (such as faxes and telephones) which contain tiny computer chips

Information includes business data, voice conversations, still images, motion pictures and multimedia presentations.

ICT is a technology that combines computing with communication links carrying data, sound and video.


Module 1 - Concepts of ICT - Section 2 - Hardware 13


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Section 2 – Hardware


Computer Essentials

Monitor – to display results of processing

System Unit – this contains all the basic computer components that do all the hard work

Keyboard – to enable text and commands to be input into the computer

Mouse – to enable the user to point and click at pictures and menus


The System Unit

Can be contained in a tower

case or desktop case

Consists of a motherboard

which contains complex

electronic circuits and silicon

chips

All the computer components

plug into the motherboard

either directly into slots or by

cables


Central Processing Unit

Brain of the computer which is a small silicon chip (Microprocessor). It has two main parts The control unit – fetches computer

instructions from the computer’s memory, decodes them and synchronises the computer’s operations

The arithmetic /logic unit (ALU) where all the work is carried out

Speed is measured in Megahertz or Gigahertz


Input devices

These are devices used to put data into the computer

Keyboard Light pen

Mouse Scanner

Trackball Joystick

Microphone Digital camera


Output Devices - Monitors Come in 15”, 17”, 19”, 21”

screen sizes

Picture is made up of

millions of dots called pixels

Picture quality depends on

number of pixels going

across and down the screen

Refresh rate is the number

of times the picture is drawn

on screen

Resolutions

800 x 600 is typical of a 15”

screen

1600 x 1200 is typical of

larger screens

Two different types

CRT monitors – similar to a

TV screen (Obsolete)

LCD/LED monitors – much

more slim line


Output Devices - Printers Inkjet printers

Mainly used by home users

Monochrome and colour

printing

Ink is forced through holes

onto the paper

Running cost quite high per

page

Laser printers

Standard in most offices

Very high quality b&w

printing, very quickly

Suitable for large volume

printouts

Running costs quite low due

to high capacity cartridges


Output Devices - Printers Dot matrix printers

Steel pins hit an inked

ribbon

Very noisy and poorer print

quality

Used mainly by businesses

for printing out multi-part

invoices and wage slips etc

Plotter

Used mainly by architects

for printing large scale

drawings

Several coloured pens are

used to draw output on

paper or opaque film


Output Devices

Speakers

Connect to a soundcard

supplied with multimedia

PCs

Quality of the sound

produced can either be

controlled on the speakers

or from within software


Input & Output Devices Touch screen

Allows the user to touch an

area of the screen rather

than typing from a keyboard

Used mainly in tourist

offices, bus information

kiosks and Job Centres

Synthesiser

Can be used as an input

device to input music to a

computer

Can be used as an output

device, for example

replicating human speech on

telephone systems

Input / Output Ports

External input and output devices are connected to

PC via a port. Common types of ports are:

Serial Port – connect mouse and keyboard

Parallel Port – connect printer

USB Port – connect mouse, scanner, printer, digital

camera, flash (thumb) drive

Firewire Port – connect digital video camera

Network Port – connect to cable modem or connect

to other computers in the network


Accessibility Used by People with

Disabilities

Voice Recognition Software:

convert speech into text on

the screen or commands to

control programs (Limited

Mobility)

Screen Reader: tells user

what is on the screen, either

speech or Braille output (for

the Blind or Visually

Impaired)

Screen Magnifier: enlarge

display on the screen (Low

Vision or Visually Impaired)

On-Screen Keyboard: type

data using a pointing device

or joystick (Mobility Impaired)


Module 1 - Concepts of ICT - Section 3 - Storage 25


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Section 3 – Storage


How memory is measured

RAM is divided into millions

of units called Bytes

Smallest Unit = 1 bit

Each byte contains 8 bits

1024 bytes = 1 kilobyte (KB)

1024 KB = 1 megabyte (MB)

1024 MB = 1 gigabyte (GB)

1024 GB = 1 terabyte (TB)


Storage Devices These are needed to store

data on your computer

Most popular devices are:

Floppy disk drive – this stores

smaller files (1.44MB)

Hard disk drive – this stores all

your programs and data (500GB

– 3TB)

CD ROM drive – software and

games are normally supplied on

CD ROM disks. Information is

read-only and cannot be

changed (650MB)

CDR/CD-RW drive – large amounts

of data can be stored on a CDR or a

CD-RW disk (650MB)

DVD ROM drive – these can be used

to watch films etc (7GB)

Network drive – online drive for

storing and sharing your information

securely. (5GB- 2TB)

Storage Areas Click Start Button Click My Computer

Click C: Click File Menu Click Properties



Other Storage Devices Zip Drive (Obsolete)

Uses zip disks which can store

either 100Mb or 250Mb of data

Jaz Drive (Obsolete)

Similar to a zip drive but can

store up to 1Gb of data

Tape Drive (Obsolete)

Uses data cartridges for backing

up data on servers

Very slow access compared to

other options

Flash Drive

Plug into a USB port

Typical storage – 4 GB, 16GB,

32GB and 64GB ($5 - $60)

Network Drive

Online File Storage

Share Your Information (Photos,

Music, Video & Any Digital

Content) Securely with Friends

(5GB – 2 TB)


Removable Storage Comparison

Device Capacity Price of Media

Floppy disk 1.44Mb NA (Obsolete)

Zip 250Mb NA (Obsolete)

USB Thumb drives* 4GB – 64GB $5 - $60

CDRW 650MB $1.20

DVDRW 7Gb $1.50

Hard drives* 500GB – 3TB $92 - $225

Network drives (Online storage) 5GB - 2TB FREE - $20/month


Types of Memory

There are two kinds of

Computer Memory

RAM (Random Access

Memory)

This is the computer’s

working memory

The more you have

installed, the faster your

computer will work

ROM (Read Only Memory)

Used to start your computer

and load Windows

ROM can only be accessed

by the CPU and cannot be

changed


What is RAM?

Used to store information on a temporary basis (eg: software, text document etc)

CPU transfers information from the hard disk drive to RAM

Information can then be processed

Information stored in RAM is temporary

When the computer is switched off, anything stored in RAM is lost

This type of memory is called volatile memory


An Example of RAM

Switch on the computer The processor transfers

operating system software from the hard disk drive to RAM

The Windows desktop appears

Double-click on the Word icon The processor transfers the

software from the hard disk drive to RAM

Open a Word document The processor transfers the

file information into RAM so

you can see it and make

changes to it

If you don’t SAVE the

document, the changes

will be lost when you

switch off the computer!


What is ROM? Used to store important

information that the CPU

needs to keep the PC

running

Information stored in ROM

can only be accessed by the

CPU and can’t be changed

is permanent and is retained

after the computer is

switched off

can be used repeatedly

This type of memory is called

non-volatile


An Example of ROM

Switch on your computer

A Power On Self Test

(POST) and boot-up are

carried out to make sure

your CPU, memory chips

and other vital

components are working

If they are, then information

is transferred to RAM to start

up your operating software

If not, then an error

message will appear on

screen

The PC start-up software

is stored in ROM so it can

be used time and time

again.


File Sizes

A simple Word document will

measure approx 20KB

A 12 page report with

pictures will take up much

more space – maybe 300KB

A 100 page user manual with

photos and screenshots

could be at least 2MB in size

Microsoft Excel, for example,

takes up approx. 6Mb of hard

disk space

0

1000

2000

3000

4000

5000

6000

Text

document

12 page

report

100 page

manual

Microsoft

Excel


Standard PC Memory

As computers have improved

so has the amount of

memory – look at the

following minimum

requirements:

Windows XP requires

128MB RAM

Windows Vista requires

512MB RAM

Windows 7 requires 1 GB

RAM

Windows 8 requires 2 GB

RAM

If you wanted to run

additional software, you

would need to double the

above figures!


Computer Performance

Two main factors will

determine how quickly your

computer works

The speed of the processor

measured in Megahertz(MHz)

or Gigahertz(GHz)

The amount of RAM installed

measured in Megabytes(MB)

Each time you launch

software, the program is

transferred to RAM

If you have several programs

running at once, this will slow

down your computer!

Module 1 - Concepts of ICT - Section 4 - Software 39


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Section 4 – Software


What is software?

Primarily a list of instructions coded in a special way

that computers can understand

Operating system software – eg Windows which works in

the background and controls your software and hardware

devices

Applications software – eg Microsoft Word – software used

to perform tasks


Operating System Software

A series of programs that

organise and control a

computer Provides an interface so that the

user can communicate with the

computer

Communicates between

software and hardware devices

Organises the storage and

retrieval of information

Manages the smooth running of

programs running in RAM by

allocating the required resources


Popular Operating Systems

Microsoft Windows is the

most widely-used operating

system (OS)

OS2 is an OS created by IBM

Macintosh (MacOS) was

created by Apple

Linux is a popular alternative

open-source OS

MS-DOS was precursor of

Windows but text-based

Unix is another OS used in

companies or universities


What Happen When You Switch

On Your Computer ? A Power On Self Test

(POST) and boot-up are

carried out to make sure

your CPU, memory chips

and other vital

components are working

If they are, then information

is transferred to RAM to start

up your operating software

If not, then an error

message will appear on

screen

BIOS (Basic Input/Output

System) is stored in ROM

The PC start-up software

is stored in ROM so it can

be used time and time

again.


Software Updates

Software is constantly

updated to give the user

improved features

Most software manufacturers

will provide updates to solve

problem issues

Software manufacturers will

provide new versions to

comply with new operating

systems

Be careful with software

versions – a file created in

Word 2007 may not be

opened on a PC running

Word 97 or Word 2003


Graphical User Interface GUI Enables users to click and point at icons and menus on

screen, instead of typing in computer commands


Applications Software

Word processor – used for typing letters, memos, reports etc

Spreadsheet – used for performing calculations (eg Accounts) and for creating Charts

Database – used for storing large quantities of data which can be interrogated to display specified pieces of information

Desktop Publishing – used for creating newsletters, booklets, posters, cards etc

Presentation – used for creating presentations which can either be displayed on screen, or printed onto overhead projection film or 35 mm slides.

Web browsers – allows users to view and download information from the world wide web


Examples of Application Software

Microsoft Office – which comprises:

Word (Word Processing)

Excel (Spreadsheet)

Access (Database)

PowerPoint (Presentation)

Publisher (Desktop Publishing)

Outlook (E-mail Management)

FrontPage (Web Page Creation)

Internet Explorer / Netscape

Navigator / Mozilla / Opera (Web

Browsers)

CorelDraw / Photoshop (Photo

Editing)

Final Fantasy (Games)

AutoCAD (3D Design)


Problem Solving Problems due to operator error or problem with hardware or software

Errors, beeps of tones, frozen display, missing cursor

Problem alerted with screen message, prompt or instructions. Example

to “End Now” the application


Problem Solving Launch Windows Task Manager by

Pressing:

Select the Application “Not Responding”,

then Press “End Task” button to Stop

Application

Problem Solving

Peripherals Devices like Printers,

Scanners no response (Check

cable, connection, power switch

on)

Call IT support staff, or online

support team to report the error

messages encountered



Managing the System Click Start button

Click Control Panel


Managing the System

Double Click System icon.

Click Hardware tab


Managing the System Click Device Manager


Managing the System Click Human Interface

Devices


Managing the System

Windows Task Manager shows

software currently running

Right click on any blank part of the

Taskbar Click Start Task

Manager

Module 1 - Concepts of ICT - Section 5 - Information Networks 56


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Section 5 – Information Networks


Local Area Network Computers which are linked by cabling in the same room or

building

A server controls the network and stores data which is used by

other users on the network (clients)


Networks Advantages

Printers, scanners etc can be

shared

Work is stored on the server and

can be accessed from any of the

client computers

Users can communicate and

exchange data

Software is loaded once onto the

server rather than on individual

computers

Disadvantages

Security measures are

needed to stop users

accessing programs and

data

Can be complicated to set

up and requires support

from skilled technicians

Faults affecting the server

will affect the client

computers


Wide Area Networks

A WAN connects computers

in different geographical

areas

These are connected via the

telephone system

Used by multinational

companies to communicate

between different countries

The world’s largest WAN is

the Internet!


Client/Server Networks Core data stored in central Server computer

Data access by Client PC

Allow users to interface with Server

Downloading or Uploading Files from the internet is example

of Client/Server relationship


The Telephone Network in

Computing

A modem is required for a computer to communicate over

telephone lines

Data is converted from digital to analogue and then back again

The speed at which data is transmitted and/or received is

measured in bits per second

The dial-up modem speed is 56 Kilobits per second (Obsolete)

Cable Modem speed range from


Public Switched Telephone

Network

PSTN for short!

The international telephone

system used for making day-

to-day telephone calls

It is the main reason why

computers have become so

popular in recent years!


Integrated Services Digital Network

ISDN for short

Has a greater range of

frequencies than PSTN

At least as twice as fast as

PSTN

Typical transfer rate of 128

Kilobits per second

Data & Voice is transmitted

simultaneously

Special connection and

modem required


Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line ADSL uses telephone lines to transmit data at very fast speeds (512

Kilobits per second)

ADSL modem and splitters required to separate telephone signal from

the ADSL signal. You can still make telephone calls when surfing web!


Wireless LAN

The Computers / Laptops

in our classroom is

connected by WLAN

Click Start button Click

My Network Places to

view


Satellite Network

Satellite Network is used in

Aeroplanes, Ships in vast

ocean, or mountaineers

climbing the mountains

when normal 2G,3G,4G

Smartphones cannot work


The Internet Huge network of computers connected together

You need a computer, modem, an account with an Internet Service Provider (ISP)

ISP provides access to the Internet through their servers

Many ISPs offer flat-rate access at fixed cost (e.g. SingTel, M1, Starhub)


World Wide Web

Huge sets of interlinked documents accessible via internet.

Accessing huge information and documents via internet


Search Engines

Help you to find information from internet

Examples: Google, Yahoo, Altavista, Lycos, MSN, etc


Intranets and Extranets Intranet is similar to the Internet but is internal to an organisation

Users access the Intranet through a user name and password

Enables users to share information and communicate via electronic

messaging

An Extranet can be accessed from outside the Intranet by authorised

users via a user name and password


E-mail By far the most popular use

of the Internet

E-mail messages arrive

almost instantaneously,

anywhere in the world

The same message can be

sent to more than one person

at the same time

It is very easy to reply to and

forward e-mail messages

Documents or photos can be

sent as attachments

E-mail software is required or

you can access webmail

providers online (e.g.

Hotmail, Yahoo, Gmail etc)

Module 1 - Concepts of ICT - Section 6 - Use of IT In Everyday Life 72


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Section 6 – Use of IT in Everyday Life


Computers or People?

Computers can

calculate millions of times faster

than humans

never get tired

can do jobs which are dangerous for

humans

store large amounts of information

in one place

find information quickly

never lose or misplace information


People versus Computers

Computers cannot

write a book

comfort a person in

distress

think for themselves

think of new ideas


Computers in business

Business Administration

Payroll

Keeping customer records

Processing sales orders

Keeping accounts

Stock management

Airline Booking Systems

Bookings instantly recorded

to avoid double booking

Availability of flights instantly

accessible

Online Banking

Access your account 24/7

No need to travel to a

branch

Reduction in overheads for

the bank

Insurance Claims Processing

Maintain databases to

prevent duplicate

claims/fraud

Send automatic renewal

notices to customers


E-Commerce

Growth of the Internet in the last few

years has been phenomenal

Virtually any organisation has their

own web site

Virtually anything can be bought or

sold over the Internet

The Internet is available 365 days a

year – it never closes!

Eg: Buy/Sell at www.eBay.com or Book

Flights at www.TigerAirways.com

http://www.ebay.com/

http://www.tigerairways.com/

http://www.tigerairways.com/


E-Banking Most Banks allow you to access your banking account via the

internet . You can access your bank account 24/7

You can check your balance, transfer money, make payments,

apply/cancel GIRO, print statements, etc at www.DBS.com.sg

Everything you can do accept withdrawal CASH

http://www.dbs.com.sg/


E-Government Most Governments information is online, including Singapore Government

CPF, HDB, ICA, IRAS, MOH, MOM, LTA, SLA, URA, WDA, WSH, etc


Computers in Education Student Registration

Keep student records

Enable computerised timetabling

Swipe-cards to monitor student

attendance

Computer-Based Training

Wide range of software packages

to aid learning

Can teach a wide range of

subjects

Multimedia Learning Platform

E-learning

Student resources made

available over the Internet

Assignments can be submitted

via email

Multimedia Learning Platform

Distance Learning

Flexible & Cost Effective

Training


e-Learning / Distance Learning

Advantages

Learn at own pace

Learning at times convenient to

individual

No travelling involved

Much more control over

learning process

Disadvantages

Distractions around the home

Needs for extra self discipline

Lack of human interaction

Potential feelings of isolation

Students choose to learn at home rather than at college


Teleworking

Advantages

Flexible schedules

Reduces commuting (Less

travelling time)

Avoid traffic jams

Work in the comfort of your own

home

Reduced office space

requirements

Enables greater focus on specific

task

Disadvantages

Distractions around home

Need extra self discipline

Lack of human interaction

Lack of teamwork in shared projects

Feelings of isolation

Many people choose to work at home rather than commuting to the office

The Electronic World Information Superhighway

Any kind of information, anywhere in the world available to anyone with

internet connected computer

Information Society

Access to unlimited amounts of information without leaving home or work

Access information with looking at books

People employed to collect, process, store, retrieve and transfer information



E-Commerce Company:

advertise products and services on

internet

can allow customers to return

unsatisfactory goods

Customers:

view on-line catalogue

make choice of goods or services

complete online order form, providing

personal details: name, address,

telephone number, email address, etc

Specify payment method: credit / debit

card, PayPal, etc

Store Available 24 hours a day,

365 days a year – it never closes!


Purchasing Over The Internet

You have to enter your name, address and credit/debit card details to purchase goods/services

Most sites will offer a secure site which will scramble your details so it can’t be intercepted by thieves

Secure sites will start with the prefix https:// - look out for the padlock symbol at the bottom of your screen

You have the same consumer rights as buying from a shop


Purchasing Over The Internet Advantages

You can shop 24 hours a

day, 7 days a week

You can shop from the

comfort of your own home

You can surf the web to find

the best bargains

Many dealers will offer

discounted prices for

shopping online

Disadvantages

You cannot see or try goods

before purchasing

You may have to pay extra

for delivery

You cannot speak to a

person for sales advice

There is some degree of risk

giving out your debit/credit

card details over the Internet


Alternative Payment Methods

NOCHEX

(www.nochex.co.uk) lets you

send and receive money

from anyone with an email

address and a debit card

Paypal (www.paypal.com)

offers a similar service

http://www.nochex.co.uk/

http://www.paypal.com/

Instant Messaging (IM) Must have computer & internet connection

Instant real time text communication globally

Program known as instant messenger is used

for text or chat communication.

Alerts you when somebody on your list is

online.

Allows you to send files such as documents

and pictures.

Nowadays, programs such as Windows MSN

(Messenger) and Skype are used as instant

messengers and VoIP. Some users make use

of web cam during IM or VoIP communications.


Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) Communicate in real time using voice with

another person/s.

It is a telephone conversation over

Internet. Sometimes this is referred to as

Internet telephony or IP telephony.

Using your computer, internet connection,

a VoIP program, a microphone and

speakers/headphones.

There are no additional charges for these

voice calls because these happen over the

same Internet service used for Web

browsing and e-mail.

Eg: Skype,

Google Talk


Web log (Blog)

Website posted in

chronological order

Online diary / journal website

Readers can leave comments

on Blog

I have created a Blog for

students taking ICDL Test:

ICDL-TEST.Blogspot.com


Podcast

Audio & Video are broadcast

over the internet

Constantly updated content

Uses RSS feed to subscribe to

updated content


RSS Feeds

RSS stands for Really

Simple Syndication

A way of publishing

frequently updated content

such as news headlines,

football scores, stock prices,

weather information, etc


Virtual Communities Virtual or Online Communities

Social Networking Sites:

MySpace, Facebook, Bebo,

Twitter, etc

Allow you to share information

like photos and videos with

your friends online

Allow you to write Blogs and

sent messages to your friends

Fantastic way of making new

friends and have fun

Be aware not every member in

communities are genuine.

Keep personal information

like your phone no, your

address Private


Module 1 - Concepts of ICT - Section 7 - Health and Safety Environment 93


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Section 7 – Health and Safety Environment


Ergonomics

Lighting – rooms should be

well lit and windows should

have blinds to avoid sunlight

Ventilation – windows should

open to allow free circulation

of fresh air

Monitors – should be

positioned away from

sunlight and windows

Furniture – use an adjustable

chair with good back support

set to the correct height for

comfortable use of keyboard

and mouse

Accessories – use

copyholders and footrests

where necessary

Ergonomics refers to design and functionality which

includes the following factors

Ergonomics



Health Issues Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI)

Collective name for a range of

disorders affecting neck, limbs and

back

Results in numbness and tingling in

limbs

Eyestrain

Caused by long periods in front of a

computer screen

Caused also by poor lighting

Back problems

Caused by poor seating and

posture

Caused by prolonged use of a

computer

Safety Precautions

Cables should be safely

secured

Keep work surfaces tidy

Take frequent short breaks

Wear your glasses!


The Environment Recycle printer cartridges

Recycle printer paper

Use Print Preview facility to check

your work before printing

Do you REALLY need a printout?

Print for a purpose!

Use power schemes to reduce

amount of electricity (Screen Saver)

CD-ROMs, electronic documents all

reduce the need for printed materials

Module 1 - Concepts of ICT - Section 8 - Security 98


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Section 8 – Security


Backing Up Data

You should always back up your data on a regular basis

Keep a second copy of important files on a Thumb Drive or DVD and store it separately from your PC. (Store off-site)

Your data is much more valuable than your computer equipment - it’s priceless

You can protect your PC equipment with insurance, but this will not replace your data!


Data Security Confidential information must be kept

securely

Only authorised personnel should have

access to confidential information

Password should be changed regularly

Password should not be revealed

User ID and password to login into system

Different access rights for different

persons in organisation by login with

different User IDs

Lock your computer to furniture. Thieves

don’t need password to get your data.

They might just steal your PC


Computer Viruses Viruses are small programs which

are designed to cause damage to a computer or whole networks by spreading and replicating itself

Examples of Virus: Time bomb, Macro viruses, Worm, Trojan Horse, etc

Your PC can catch a virus by sharing files on disks/CDs, viewing/downloading files on the web and from e-mail attachments

The only protection against this is having anti-virus software installed on your machine


Protection against viruses

Scan files for viruses before

opening them

Make sure you keep your antivirus

software up to date – Thousands of

viruses are made daily – it only

takes one to wreak havoc on your

computer

If on broadband, install a firewall to

prevent unauthorised people or

hackers from gaining access to your

personal data in your computer


Copyright Computer software is copyright

material

Covered by Copyright, Designs

and Patents Act 1988

You don’t “buy” the software

You pay for a licence to install

and use the software on one

machine – see the End User

Licence Agreement (EULA)

You are breaking the law if you

make a copy of software and

give/sell it to someone else


Personal Privacy

Right to privacy is a

fundamental human right

The advance in

computerised technology

makes it easier to store

and share information

See what can go wrong

with some case studies!


The Data Protection Act 1998 Came into force in March 2000

Sets rules for the processing of

personal information

Applies to paper records as well as

computerised records

Intended to protect the privacy of

individuals

Full details can be found at:

www.dataprotection.gov.uk

For Singapore Data Protection Act

2012, click: http://app.mica.gov.sg/Default.aspx

?tabid=487

http://www.dataprotection.gov.uk/

http://app.mica.gov.sg/Default.aspx?tabid=487

http://app.mica.gov.sg/Default.aspx?tabid=487


Data Protection Principles There are 8 enforceable

principles – data must be:

Fairly and lawfully

processed

Obtained for specific

purposes only

Adequate, relevant and not

excessive

Accurate and up-to-date

Kept no longer than

necessary

Processed in accordance

with the data subject’s rights

Cannot be transferred to

other countries without

similar protection

Kept safe and secure from

outsiders

ecdl/icdl module 1 - concepts of ict (information and communication technology) - presentation...

Education

concepts of ict

general concepts module

general concepts mains

personal computer monitor

computer mouse

use of computers

licence module

european computer