Information and Communication Technology Skills — Unit 3

Session 1: Basic Computer Operations

What is ICT?

• ICT stands for Information and Communication Technology.
• It refers to all the methods, tools and concepts related to storing, recording and sending digital information.

Hardware and Software

• A computer system consists of two main parts: hardware and software.
• Hardware refers to the physical parts of the computer that can be seen and touched, such as the keyboard, monitor and CPU.
• Software refers to the programs that make the hardware work the way we want, even though software itself cannot be seen or touched.

Operating System (OS)

• The OS is the most important software in any computer.
• It starts working as soon as the computer is switched on and displays the desktop on the monitor.
• Common OS for laptops/desktops: Ubuntu, Microsoft Windows, Mac OS.
• Common OS for mobile devices: Apple iOS, Google Android.

Starting a Computer

• Pressing the power button runs BIOS (Basic Input/Output System), a basic program that starts automatically.
• BIOS performs a self-test known as POST (Power On Self-Test).
• If the self-test is fine, BIOS loads the Operating System, making the computer ready to take user inputs.

Login, Logout and Shutdown

• A login-ID and password act like a key that locks the computer, preventing unauthorised access to stored information.
• A user must log out or sign out after finishing work so no one else can see their work.
• Shut Down closes all running applications before turning off the computer.

Keyboard Keys

• Function keys (F1–F12): perform specific functions depending on the program being used.
• Control keys: Control, Shift, Spacebar, Alt, Caps Lock, Tab — perform special functions.
• Enter/Return key: moves the cursor to a new line; also confirms commands.
• Punctuation keys: colon, semicolon, quotation marks, etc.
• Navigation keys: arrow keys, Home, End, Page Up, Page Down — used to move around a document.
• Command keys: Insert, Delete, Backspace — used to overwrite or remove text.
• Windows key: opens the Start menu.

Mouse Actions

• Roll over/Hover — view details of an item.
• Point and Click — select an item.
• Drag and Drop — move an item from one location to another.
• Double-click — open a file.

Session 2: Performing Basic File Operations

Files and File Extensions

• All information stored in a computer is kept in files.
• Each file has a file name and a file name extension (identifies the file type), separated by a dot.
• Text files (Notepad): .txt
• Document files: .doc
• Spreadsheet files: .xls
• Image files: .jpg
• Sound files: .mp3

Folders

• A folder is a location where a group of related files can be stored.
• Using folders makes it easier to manage files — copy, move, rename or delete them.

Creating a File in Ubuntu

• Open the text editor.
• Type in the required text.
• Click Save.
• Browse to the desired folder in the Save As dialog box.
• Type a file name and click Save.

Creating a Folder in Ubuntu

• Open the File Explorer by clicking the Files option.
• Choose the location where the folder is to be created.
• Right-click and select New Folder.
• Type the desired name for the folder.

Useful Keyboard Shortcuts

Session 3: Computer Care and Maintenance

Why Care and Maintenance Matter

• Regular care helps computers and mobile devices work properly for a longer time.
• Well-maintained devices don’t need to be replaced as often, which saves money.

Basic Care Tips

• Don’t eat over a keyboard — crumbs can damage its internal parts; clean it with a soft brush.
• Wipe the screen with a soft cloth to remove finger marks.
• Avoid food and drinks near the computer — spilt liquid can damage it beyond repair.
• Handle and move devices carefully; use padded cases/covers to prevent damage from drops.
• Keep the computer cool — ensure the CPU fan works properly; avoid leaving devices in the sun or a closed car.
• Don’t overcharge the battery — unplug once fully charged.
• Plug in devices gently rather than forcing them into a port.
• Avoid running too many programs at once — it can slow down or crash the computer.

Maintenance Schedule

• Daily: clean e-mail inbox; save downloaded attachments in proper folders.
• Weekly: clean keyboard and monitor; dust CPU and printer; backup data to an external drive.
• Monthly: transfer and organise photographs into folders; clean up Downloads folder; uninstall unused programs/apps; run disk-cleaner software; run a full system virus scan.
• Yearly: clean up social media and e-mail contact lists; update the operating system; renew anti-virus software before it expires.

Backup, Viruses and Performance

• Backing up data means saving information onto another device (CD, DVD, external hard disk) so it can be recovered after a crash, mistake or disaster.
• Anti-virus software prevents viruses from entering a computer and cleans any that are already present.
• Computer performance can be increased by regularly removing unnecessary/temporary files using disk-cleaner software, since excessive hard-disk usage slows down a computer.

SPAM

• SPAM refers to unwanted promotional or advertising e-mails.
• Never respond to SPAM; delete it regularly.
• Most e-mail software automatically filters such mail into a separate SPAM folder.

Session 4: Computer Security and Privacy

Why Security Matters

• Computers store large amounts of important information — photographs, personal details, financial records, medical information.
• Leakage or loss of this information can cause serious harm to the people involved.
• Computer security and privacy = measures used to prevent loss or leakage of stored data.
• A security break = when such information is leaked or accessed without authorisation.

Reasons for Security Break

• Being careless while sharing personal information online — e.g. giving out account details/passwords on unsecure websites.
• Unauthorised access to a computer — e.g. leaving a computer without logging out.

Threats to a Computer

• Theft:
  • Physical — stealing hardware such as a desktop or laptop.
  • Identity — a hacker steals personal information and assumes someone’s identity to access accounts or perform illegal activities.
  • Software Piracy — using or distributing unlicensed and unauthorised copies of software.
• Virus:
  • Worms — self-replicate and spread to all files, making them difficult to remove.
  • Trojan Horse — disguises itself as useful software, then behaves like a virus and destroys data.
• Online Predators: trap people, especially children, into inappropriate relationships by posing as someone of a similar age.
• Internet Scams: fake attractive offers (e.g. lottery winnings) that trick people into depositing money, risking misuse of card/account details.

Protecting Your Data

• Use strong passwords — a mix of small and capital letters, numbers and special characters, making them hard to guess.
• Install anti-virus and firewall software — monitors incoming/outgoing data, prevents viruses from entering, detects and removes viruses.
• Encrypt data (e.g. BitLocker in Windows) — a decryption password/key is required before access.
• Use secure sites only — check the URL starts with https:// and shows a lock symbol before giving card/bank details.