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Computers and society

Unit objectives Identify the main uses of computers in daily

life, and identify the benefits of using e-mail Describe the Information Superhighway and

its impact, minimize computer health and safety hazards, and describe how to reduce environmental waste

Identify the need for virus protection and security, and understand the role of copyrights and data protection in the information society

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Topic A

Topic A: Computers in daily life Topic B: Impact of IT on society Topic C: Security and legal issues

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Benefits of computers

E-mail Bank cards Electronic commerce Smart ID cards Information management Computer games Improved home life

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Computers at home

Record your income details Monitor your monthly budget Work from home

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Computers in education

Computer-based training Word processing for document

management Other applications:

– Spreadsheets for business students– PowerPoint presentations for teachers

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Electronic mail (E-mail)

Sending and receiving messages over a network

Used for:– Business – Education – Personal correspondence – Research

Benefits:– Speed– Low cost– Attachments– Multiple recipients

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Topic B

Topic A: Computers in daily life Topic B: Impact of IT on society Topic C: Security and legal issues

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The Information Superhighway

Digital networks of computers and telecommunication systems around the world

Allows e-commerce 24/7

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Health hazards

Eyestrain Back strain Repetitive strain injury (RSI)

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Reducing health hazards

Sit comfortably Keep the monitor at eye level Take regular breaks

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Environmental issues

Have adequate power supplies and secure power cables

Have adequate ventilation and lighting Print only when necessary Recycle used computer parts

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Topic C

Topic A: Computers in daily life Topic B: Impact of IT on society Topic C: Security and legal issues

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Security issues

Passwords Data backup Viruses Power surges or losses

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Password guidelines

Do not use a password that:– Someone who knows you could guess– Can be found in the dictionary– Is currently newsworthy– Is similar to a previous password

Do:– Use a mixture of letters and at least one

number– Use a password you can remember

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Backup devices

Floppy disks Tapes Zip drives Second hard disk

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Computer viruses

Programs intended to cause unexpected or undesirable results

Transmitted by:– Downloading programs from Web sites– Opening infected e-mail messages– Opening infected files on a diskette

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Protection from viruses

Install antivirus software:– Runs automatically– Provides periodic updates– Scans documents when opened

Know the origin all programs, files, and e-mail attachments

Perform regular backups Follow company policies

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Power losses and surges

Always shut down Windows properly Use an uninterruptible power supply

(UPS)

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Legal issues

Copyrights:– Digital watermarks can protect files.– Most software must be licensed, but not:

Freeware Shareware Public domain software

Data protection laws:– Require that personal data be collected

for a lawful purpose– Require such data to be up-to-date, free

of errors, and safely protected

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Unit summary

Learned about the benefits of computers in daily life, including e-mail and e-commerce

Learned about the impact of the Information Superhighway, and learned how to minimize computer health and safety concerns and reduce environmental waste

Learned about the need for virus protection and security, and about the role of copyrights and data protection in the information society