Computer Safety: Virus, Data Storage And Protection
Session 19: Computer Safety: Virus, Data Storage And Protection
Total Session Time: 120 minutes
Prerequisites
None
Learning Tasks
By the end of this session, students are expected to be able to:
Explain How to Create Folders and Files for Data Storage
Explain How to Keep Computer Running at Peak Performance
Explain on How to Remove Spyware / Adware or Virus
Resources Needed:
Flip charts, marker pens, and masking tape
Black/white board and chalk/whiteboard markers
Computer
LCD
SESSION OVERVIEW
Step
Time
Activity/
Method
Content
1
05 minutes
Presentation
Presentation of Session Title and Learning Tasks
2
30 minutes
Brainstorming
Presentation
Exercise
Creation of Folders and Files
3
30 minutes
Presentation Exercise
Keeping Computer Running at Peak Performance
4
40 minutes
Presentation
Small group discussion
Removal of Spyware/Adware or Virus
5
10minutes
Presentation
Key Points
6
5 minutes
Presentation
Evaluation
SESSION CONTENT
Step 1: Presentation of Session Title and Learning Tasks (5 Minutes)
READ or ASK student to read the learning objectives and clarify.
ASK students if they have any questions before continuing
Step 2: Create Folders and Files for Data Storage (30 minutes)
Activity: Brainstorming (5 minutes)
Ask students to brainstorm on the following question:
What is computer folder?
What is a computer file?
ALLOW few students to respond?
WRITE their responses on the flip chart/ board
CLARIFY and SUMMARISE by using the content below
A folder is a virtual location where programs, files, and other folders can be located.
File is a resource for storing information, which is available to a computer program and is usually based on some kind of durable storage.
A file is "durable" in the sense that it remains available for other programs to use after the program that created it has finished executing.
Computer files can be considered as the modern counterpart of paper documents which traditionally are kept in office and library files, and this is the source of the term.
User Interface
You typically interact with the operating system through the graphical user interface.
Most provide a place, called desktop, which provides access to computer resources.
Operating systems have several features in common with application programs including icons, pointer, windows, menus, dialog boxes, and help.
Icons: Graphic representations for a program or function
Pointer: Controller by a mouse and changes shape depending upon its current function. For example, when shaped like an arrow, the pointer can be used to select items such as an icon.
Window: Rectangular area for displaying information and running programs.
Menus: Provide a list of options or request input.
Help: Provide online assistance for operating system functions and procedures.
File Storage
Most of operating systems store data and programs in a system of files and folders.
Unlike the traditional filing cabinet, computer files and folders are stored on a secondary storage device such as your hard disk.
Files are used to store data and programs.
Related files are stored into a folder, and for organizational purpose, a folder can contain other folders.
For example, you might organize your electronic files in the ‘my documents folder’ on your hard disk.
Figure 1: Windows Operating System
Icon Window File Desktop
Desktop Folder
Task bar
Source: print screen from Microsoft Window
How to create folder
A folder is a location where you can store your files. You can create any number of folders and even store folders inside other folders (subfolders). Here’s how to create a new folder:
Go to the location (such as a folder or the desktop) where you want to create a new folder.
Right-click a blank area on the desktop or in the folder window, point to New, and then click Folder.
Type a name for the new folder, and then press Enter.
The new folder will appear in the location you specified.
Step 3: Keeping Your Computer Running at Peak Performance (30 minutes)
With the amount of information available for download on the internet, it's easy to quickly fill up your valuable hard drive space and turn your computer into a sluggish, unresponsive monster.
Keeping your hard drive clean is essential to the high performance that the latest computers can achieve.
Fortunately, it's a simple process; one that can easily be performed on a regular basis and, with some organization, keeps your computer running like a well-oiled machine.
You can discover how much hard drive space is available on your computer by accessing the DriveSpace program in your System Tools.
A pie graph will show you the amount of used and unused space for each of your drives. Check this often to keep an idea of how much space you are using.
There are six simple steps to clearing up your hard drive:
Uninstall unused programs.
Many times a new program will come along that looks fun to have or play with, but after a week or two you simply stop using it.
Clean out temporary files.
When your computer is not shut down properly, it will pass information from memory into fragmented files.
Also, while you are running programs, your computer will write information that it does not immediately need into temporary files.
Empty your internet cache.
As you surf the internet your computer stores web pages and images into a temporary internet cache so that it can quickly recall and access information when you move back and forth between pages.
Empty your mail programs of clutter.
It's easy to browse through your email and leave old messages there, promising yourself you'll sort them out later.
One or two messages don't take up much space, but hundreds certainly do.
Empty your recycle bin.
Once you've emptied your drive of cluttering, unnecessary programs; empty your recycle bin to remove what has been placed there in the process.
Scandisk and Defrag.
When Windows installs programs, it will put the files it needs anywhere that it finds free space, and not directly after the last program installed.
As a result, your hard drive has patches of empty space on it that are not big enough to fit a full program, and will result in a drive space error if you attempt to install something new.
Tips for keeping your Computer Running Smoothly
Never turn your computer off with the power switch until Windows has shut down.
This rule prevents permanent Hard Disk (HD) defects caused by the hard drive heads contacting the surface of the drive disc and can also result in lost data or Windows files.
The one exception to this rule is when your computer locks up and HD is not running (HD light is not blinking).
Recover from crashes by pressing the Ctrl + Alt + Delete keys at the same time. Press them again to reboot your computer.
Use UPS (uninterruptable power supply) for your computer.
This will keep your computer from crashing during power outages, and will protect your computer from low and high voltage occurrences.
Run Scandisk and Defragment at least once a month to keep your HD healthy and prevent crashes.
Never unplug peripherals from the computer when it is powered up to avoid short out the connector socket or the motherboard.
Do keep at least 300 MBs of your C: drive free for Windows to use.
If you use Windows XP or Vista then you should have 400-600 MBs of free space on your C: drive.
Inadequate free space chokes Windows and it will start dumping data to your hard drive, or it will just get really, slow.
Use the ADD/Delete tool in the Windows Control Panel to delete unneeded programs from your drive.
Do not let a lot of programs load up when you start your computer.
They use valuable memory and Windows Resources (Windows internal workspace).
All programs in your Windows System Tray (in the lower left of your screen) are running on your computer.
Close them if you don't need them or run them and configure them not to load when you boot up.
Other programs running in the background can be found by pressing Ctrl + Alt + Delete at the same time.
Do use a virus checker regularly.
The best type of protection is continuous monitoring from a dedicated anti-virus program like Norton Antivirus.
If you have a high speed Internet connection you need a firewall program.
A firewall program keeps those who want to hijack your computer from gaining access to your system.
You really do not want someone else running your computer.
Keep track of the software disks you receive with your computer and new peripherals.
These disks contain valuable software drivers and programs for Windows and are needed when Windows must be reloaded.
Keep these disks and your Windows software disks in a safe, dry, place — you never know when you will need them.
Step 4: How to Remove Spyware / Adware or Viruses (40 minutes)
Spyware/Adware these are illegal programs which come onto your computer usually while browsing the internet.
This software will mostly slow your computer down and also some times report your actions and files to the programmer.
When a computer is infected with spyware/adware, it will become a little slower and you will be getting a lot of pop-ups while browsing the internet.
These pop-ups can be ads or false computer warning.
In order to remove spyware/adware you require some special removal software.
One example of this software is ad-aware by Lavasoft which can be downloaded for free from www.lavasoft.com.
Once you have downloaded and installed ad-aware you will see the following screen bellow.
Figure 1:Ad –Aware Software View
Source :lavasoft
Click on start to scan the computer for Adware. And select the default settings and click next. Once the scan is complete, you can see as shown in the picture bellow that your computer has 9 New Critical objects.
Click next and select the objects you would like to remove (Usually just select all).
Activity: Small Group Discussion ( 15minutes)
DIVIDE students into small manageable groups
ASK students to discuss on the following question
How would you
Detect virus to your computer?
What to do if you discover a virus on your computer?
Remove install and uninstall antivirus
Define Antivirus?
Defragment computer
ALLOW few groups to present and the rest to add points not mentioned
CLARIFY and SUMMARIZE by using the contents below
Figure 2: Show Completed Scanned Object
Source :lavasoft
Please note that it is important you update you ad-aware program and before scanning for adware on you system. In order to update your ad definitions click on the globe on the top right
Removing a virus
Virus is illegal program designed to corrupt your computers files and there for eventually either slow or crash your system. With the help of virus removal software such as Norton, AVG and MacAfee antivirus software you can mostly find and remove viruses from a machine. AVG is free antivirus software.
It is important you make sure you update your antivirus software regularly to make sure your virus software is aware of the latest virus threats and there for can protect your computer from them.
In IFM we have been using Norton System works to protect our computers from viruses and maintaining our computer.
Click Start 🡪 All Programs🡪Norton System Works 🡪 Norton System Works
Figure 3: Norton System dialog box
Source: Norton system works 2003
Click Norton Antivirus 🡪 Scan for Viruses 🡪 Scan drives
Figure 4:Scan for Virus
Source: Norton system works 2003
Select the drives you would like to scan and click scan.
Figure 5: Selected Drives for Scanning
Source: Norton system works 2003
Once you have scanned follow the instructions, provided. If you require more help you can always use Norton help.
Step 5: Key Points (10 minutes)
With the amount of information available for download on the internet, it's easy to quickly fill up your valuable hard drive space and turn your computer into a sluggish, unresponsive monster.
When Windows installs programs, it will put the files it needs anywhere that it finds free space, and not directly after the last program installed. As a result, your hard drive has patches of empty space on it that are not big enough to fit a full program, and will result in a drive space error if you attempt to install something new.
Virus is illegal program designed to corrupt your computers files and there for eventually either slow or crash your system. With the help of virus removal software such as Norton, AVG and MacAfee antivirus software you can mostly find and remove viruses from a machine.
Step 6: Evaluation (5 minutes)
How can you create computer folder and file?
How can you maintain a computer?
How can you remove spyware/ adware from a computer?
Reference
Bott, E. & Siechert, C.(2001). Microsoft Windows XP Inside Out. Microsoft Press
Herniter, M.E. (2000). Personal computer fundamentals for students, hardware windows 2000 Application (2nd ed). Prentice Hall.
Joos, I. Whitman, N. Smith, M. Nelson, R. et al. (2006). Introduction to computers for healthcare professionals (4th ed). Barb Mews: London.
Morris, M. & Charles, M. (2003). Logol Computer Designer Fundamentals. Prentice Hall.
University: Boston Burr Ridge.
Sagman, S. (1999), Microsoft Office 2000 for Windows: Visual Quick Start Guide. Peachpit Press The Basics of the Word Window. Retrieved from www.gcflearnfree.org/computer/
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