COMPUTER APPLICATIONS

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION TO DIGITAL LITERACY

Concepts of Digital Literacy

❖ Computer – it is an electronic device that receives input data through an

input device, processes it and gives out the output through an output device.
❖ Data – raw facts and figures fed into the computer system.
❖ Information – processed data.
❖ ICT - the use of computing devices and computer technology to process data
and communicate information.

Typical parts of a computer

1. CPU (processor) 7. Monitor

2. RAM 8. Power supply unit
3. Hard disk drive 9. System unit (computer case)
4. Motherboard 10. Cards for video, sound, network
5. Mouse 11. CD/DVD ROM drive
6. Keyboard 12. Fan

Booting

Booting is the process of starting up a computer.

Types of Booting

➢ Cold Booting (Hard Booting) – refers to the starting of a computer or switching

on of a computer from an off state.
➢ Warm Booting (Soft Booting) – basically refers to restarting a computer.

Q. Explain the circumstances that may prompt a computer user to perform warm
booting.

Prepared by Frank Okello [email protected]

 COMPUTER APPLICATIONS

Classification of Computers

Classification of computers can be based on Functionality, Purpose or Size.

Based on Functionality (Type of processing)

i. Analog computers – they process data that is continuous in nature

ii. Digital computers – they process data that is in binary form.
iii. Hybrid computers

**Students to research on Hybrid computers.

Based on Purpose

General purpose computers – they can perform a wide range of tasks e.g., creating
Word documents, listening to music, browsing the internet etc.

Special purpose computers – are specialized to perform a specific task e.g., aircraft
flight control, patient diagnosis, process control in factories etc.

Based on Size

Supercomputers – used in weather forecasting, scientific research etc. It is the

largest in size, has the fastest speed of processing, has the largest memory and
secondary storage capacity, and has the most computational power.

Mainframe computers – they are sometimes referred to simply as mainframes.

They are used by big companies to process huge financial transactions, store and
manage huge consumer data and statistics etc. They can support multiple terminals.

Minicomputers – used for stock control, payroll.

Microcomputers – they include desktops, laptops, tablets. They use a

microprocessor.

Prepared by Frank Okello [email protected]

 COMPUTER APPLICATIONS

Computer Ergonomics

It is the practice of making sure the computer design and the workspace
arrangement are set up in way that reduces the risk of pain, fatigue or injury on the
part of the user. The measures that can contribute to reduced pain, fatigue or injury
on the user include:

i. Use of Computer ergonomic chairs to minimize back pains and fatigue

ii. Taking breaks between sessions
iii. Working in shifts
iv. Regulating screen brightness and contrast to minimize eye strain
v. Use of Computer ergonomics keyboards to minimize wrist pain
vi. Ensure proper ventilation for a conducive environment
vii. Adjust the screen position so that the user does not have to lean forward or
backward while using the computer.
viii. Reposition the screen or adjust the room lighting to avoid screen glare.

Computer Care and Maintenance

❖ Lock the computer room while not in use to prevent from theft.
❖ Close the windows when it rains to prevent entry of draughts (rain droplets).
❖ Blow dust from the computer equipment regularly.
❖ Use a piece of cloth and a cleaning agent to wipe out dust from the external
parts of computer.
❖ Do not place drinks or food near the computer.
❖ Safely keep discs (CDs and DVDs) in their casings and store them in
shelves.

Prepared by Frank Okello [email protected]

 COMPUTER APPLICATIONS

❖ Use a surge protector to protect computers against power surge and

Uninterruptible Power Supply Unit (UPS) units to provide power in the
event pf power loss or disconnections from the mains supply.
❖ Switch off the computer when not in use.

Factors to consider before purchasing a computer

1. Processor type and speed – latest processor types are more efficient than the
previous ones. For example, a core i7 processor is more efficient than a core
i5 processor, which in turn is more efficient than a corei3 processor. Speed is
measured in terms of Hertz. A 2 GHz is faster than a 1 GHz computer.
2. Memory (RAM) capacity – the bigger the RAM capacity the better the
computer performance. Memory is measured in terms of Bytes. For
example, a computer with 4 GB of memory capacity is more powerful than
that with 3 GB of memory capacity.
3. Hard disk capacity – bigger storage means more data stored.
4. Cost – the computer to be bought should be affordable.
5. User needs – the user needs to know what the main needs for buying the
computer are. For instance, if the computer is mainly for producing
engineering drawings or playing video games then it should have a highly
effective graphics card, have large enough monitor size, large RAM and disk
capacities, and be of very high speed. A computer bought by a student
mainly for things like browsing the internet, listening to music, typing class
assignments needs not to be a powerful computer.
6. Portability – if your work involves a lot of movement then you should buy a
portable computer.
7. Warranty –

Prepared by Frank Okello [email protected]

 COMPUTER APPLICATIONS

Q. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using computers in the society.

Q. Discuss the applications of computers in the fields of Entertainment,

Manufacturing, Multimedia, Science and Research, Aviation, Education, Health
and Medicine, Military, Commerce, Agribusiness, Security/Criminology.

CHAPTER 2: COMPUTER HARDWARE

Computer hardware refers to the physical parts of a computer system. The

functional hardware components are: CPU, Memory Unit and Peripheral devices.
The peripheral devices include I/O devices and secondary storage.

Central Processing Unit (CPU)

This is the brain of the computer. It is where data processing takes place. It is made
up of Control Unit and Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU).

Hardware configuration diagram

Prepared by Frank Okello [email protected]

 COMPUTER APPLICATIONS

Computer Memory

Computer Memory refers to the physical devices in a computer used to store data
and/or instructions either temporarily or permanently. It is classified into Primary
memory and Secondary memory.

Primary Memory

It is a type of memory that temporarily stores data and instructions that are
currently being processed.

It is also known as Main memory or Random Access Memory (RAM).

Characteristics of RAM

❖ Its contents are readily available for direct retrieval.

❖ It is volatile, i.e., its contents are lost in case of power disconnection or
power outage.
❖ It is read/write i.e., data can be added to it and retrieved from it.

Read Only Memory (ROM)

It is a type of memory that permanently stores data and instructions, known as

firmware, required for the computer to boot. The instructions are installed during
the time of manufacture of the computer.

Characteristics of ROM

1. Stores data and instructions permanently

2. It is non-volatile, i.e., its contents cannot be lost in case of power
disconnection or power outage.

Prepared by Frank Okello [email protected]

 COMPUTER APPLICATIONS

Other types of memory

1. Video memory – temporarily holds data relating to graphics. This memory is

found on the video card of the computer.
2. Buffer memory – temporarily holds data and transmits it between two
communicating devices with varying speeds e.g., between RAM and hard
disk.
3. Cache memory – stores frequently and recently accessed data.
4. Virtual memory – it is created on the hard disk by the Operating system to
temporarily hold programs when the RAM capacity is full.

Secondary (Auxiliary) Storage

This is memory that stores data permanently for future use. It is non-volatile. There
are three types of secondary storage devices:

a) Magnetic storage media

b) Optical storage media
c) Solid State Drives (SSD)

Magnetic storage media

These include hard disk drive, magnetic tape, floppy disk (diskette). They store
data by means of electromagnetism. Hard disk drive, or simply hard disk, is also
known as magnetic disk and is normally used as the internal secondary storage for
computers. There are also external hard disk drives available in the market.

Magnetic tape is cheaper than magnetic disk but is much slower because it uses the
sequential method of data access. It is rarely used nowadays.

NB: Floppy disk (diskette) had a storage capacity of 1.44MB. It is now obsolete.

Prepared by Frank Okello [email protected]

 COMPUTER APPLICATIONS

Precautions for handling magnetic storage media

1. Keep them away from extreme temperatures

2. Never place heavy objects on top of them
3. Keep them away from dust
4. Regularly scan them for viruses
5. Keep them away from electromagnetic fields like those from radios, TVs,
etc.

Optical storage media

These include CDs, DVD and Blu-ray discs. They store data by means of light
from a laser beam.

Q. Explain the differences between CD-R, CD-ROM and CD-RW.

Solid State Drives (SSD)

They are a new generation of storage devices. They are slowly replacing the
traditional hard disks. They use flash memory to store data.

They have no moving parts, unlike the magnetic disks, hence, they are significantly
faster than the hard drives. They are, however, more expensive per MB than hard
disks.

Examples of SSDs are: flash disk, memory card, etc.

Prepared by Frank Okello [email protected]

 COMPUTER APPLICATIONS

Computer Bus

A computer bus is an electronic path within the computer that allows components
to communicate with each other.

The main types of Computer Bus are: Data Bus, Address Bus and Control Bus.

1. Data Bus – transmits data and instructions to and from the processor (CPU).
2. Address Bus – transmits address of the memory location or peripheral
devices where data is to be fetched.
3. Control Bus – transmits command/control signals from the processor to the
other components in the computer, i.e., main memory, I/O devices,
secondary storage.

Prepared by Frank Okello [email protected]

 COMPUTER APPLICATIONS

Input & Output Devices

Input Devices

An input device is a peripheral which receives data from the user and sends it to
the computer for processing. They are classified into: keyboard, pointing and touch
devices, scanning devices, point-of-sale devices, document readers, speech
recognition.

Keyboard

It has keys which are categorized into: Alphanumeric keys, Special keys, Function
keys, Navigation keys, Arrow keys, Numeric keypad.

1. Alphanumeric keys include alphabetic keys, punctuation keys and symbol

keys found on a traditional typewriter.
2. Special keys include Ctrl, Shift, Alt, Esc, Enter, Delete, Backspace, Caps
Lock, Space bar, Num Lock and Windows key. Ctrl, Shift, Alt keys are
normally used in combination with other keys.
3. Function keys include F1, F2…. F12 keys. The function of a particular
Function key defers from program to program., Navigation keys, Arrow
keys, Numeric keypad.
4. Navigation and Editing keys – they are used to move around the document.
They include Page Up, Page Down, Home, End, Delete, Insert.
5. Direction/Arrow keys – are used to move the cursor either down, up, left or
right.
6. Numeric keypad – consists of numeric keys. It is used to type numbers.

Q. State the functions of the various keyboard keys.

Q. What is the difference between Delete and Backspace keys?

Prepared by Frank Okello [email protected]

 COMPUTER APPLICATIONS

Mouse

It is used for pointing at, selecting and clicking on text, objects, commands, icons.

Parts of a Mouse

❖ Left and right buttons

❖ Scroll

Mouse Techniques

1. Point 4. Double-click
2. Left-click 5. Click-and-drag (drag-and-drop)
3. Right-click
Q. State the uses of the following input devices: MICR, OMR, OCR, stylus,
joystick, barcode reader, scanner, light pen, touchscreen, voice input (microphone),
touchpad, webcam, smart card, graphics tablet, card reader, sensor.

Q. Highlight the various types of keyboards, scanners and mice.

Output Devices

These are peripheral devices that are used to produce computer output either in
hardcopy or softcopy. Hardcopy output is produced on a physical medium while
softcopy output is displayed on screen or listened to.

Visual Display Unit (VDU)

It is commonly referred to as Monitor. The three types of monitors are: Cathode

Ray Tube (CRT), Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) and Light Emitting Diode (LED).

Prepared by Frank Okello [email protected]

 COMPUTER APPLICATIONS

CRT (cathode ray tube) monitors

These monitors employ CRT technology, which was used most commonly in the
manufacturing of television screens.

While CRT monitors can still be found in some organizations, many offices have
stopped using them largely because they are heavy, bulky, and costly to replace
should they break.

LCD (liquid crystal display) monitors

The advantages of LCD monitors include their compact size which makes them
lightweight. They also don’t consume much electricity as CRT monitors, and can
be run off of batteries which makes them ideal for laptops.

Images transmitted by these monitors have little flicker. However, this type of
monitor does have disadvantages, such as its relatively high price, an image quality
which is not constant when viewed from different angles, and a monitor resolution
that is not always constant.

LED (light-emitting diodes) monitors

LED monitors are the latest types of monitors on the market today. These are flat
panel, or slightly curved displays. LED monitors are said to use much lesser power
than CRT and LCD and are considered far more environmentally friendly.

The advantages of LED monitors are that they produce images with higher
contrast, have less negative environmental impact when disposed, are more durable
than CRT or LCD monitors, and features a very thin design. They also don’t
produce much heat while running. The only downside is that they can be more
expensive, especially for the high-end monitors like the new curved displays that
are being released.

Prepared by Frank Okello [email protected]

 COMPUTER APPLICATIONS

Printer

It is a device used for printing documents containing text or graphical output

coming from a computer cone ted to the printer.

Printers vary in size, speed, sophistication and cost. More expensive printers are
used for higher-resolution color printing.

Classification of Printers

Character printers – these printers print one character at time.

Line printers – these printers print one line at time.

Page printers – these printers print one whole page at time.

Impact printer: are printers that form characters through direct physical contact
between the ink ribbon and the paper. Non-impact printers: are printers that form
characters and images without direct physical contact between the ink ribbon and
the paper.

Prepared by Frank Okello [email protected]

 COMPUTER APPLICATIONS

Impact printer Non-impact printer

Uses ink ribbon to produce print on Uses toner or cartridge for printing on
paper paper
Prints characters only except for dot- All non-impact printer can print both
matrix printer characters and images
Difficult to produce multiple copies Can produce multiple copies
It is noisy when in operation Works silently
Slow in operation It works faster
Produces low quality prints Produces high quality prints
Less expensive than non-impact printer More expensive than impact printer

Plotter

They mainly produce large graphical output, e.g., diagrams, maps, engineering
drawings, etc. Plotters can print on A1 sized paper, unlike printers which can be
used to print on A3 sized paper at most. The two types of plotters are: flatbed
plotter and drum plotter.

Other output devices include speaker, projector, Computer Output on Microform

(COM).

Q. State any five limitations of speech/voice input (microphone) as a method of

input.

Q. Explain the reason why, as an engineer, it is appropriate to produce engineering

drawings on a plotter rather than on a printer.

Prepared by Frank Okello [email protected]

 COMPUTER APPLICATIONS

CHAPTER 3: COMPUTER SOFTWARE

Software refers to all programs which enable the computer hardware to operate
effectively, and also help the user to perform various tasks on the computer.
Without software a computer cannot operate.

A program is defined as a set of instructions which a computer executes to perform

a given task.

Computer software is classified into:

1. System software
2. Application software

System Software

This refers to software that manages the operations of a computer and makes sure
that the computer works efficiently. System Software is installed in the computer
during manufacture.

System Software is divided into Operating system and Utility software.

Operating system – ensures the computer operates as intended by the

manufacturer. It also provides a platform for application software to run.

Utility software – these are programs that help in analyzing, configuring,

optimizing and maintaining a computer system.

Examples of Utility Software

i. Antivirus utility (virus checker) – used to scan for viruses

ii. Backup utility – used to back up files and programs on an external drive e.g.,
flash drive, external hard disk, and also to restore them from the drive when
needed.

Prepared by Frank Okello [email protected]

 COMPUTER APPLICATIONS

iii. Disk defragmentation utility – consolidates pieces of scattered, related files

stored on the hard disk so that they can be quickly accessed. This improves
computer performance.
iv. Disk clean-up utility – helps in removing unnecessary files hence availing
more storage space. The files could be those in the recycle bin, those
downloaded in the background while browsing the internet, etc.
v. File compression utility – reduces files into smaller sizes. Can be useful
during file transmission where the transmitted file is not allowed to be above
a certain size.

Q. Explain the terms disk formatting and disk partitioning

Application Software

These is a software that are developed to perform a specific task for the user e.g.,
creating a text document, performing financial calculations, drawing architectural
designs, etc.

Application software is classified into customized software and application

packages.

i. Custom/In-house/Special purpose/Tailor-made/Bespoke Software

These are programs developed to carry out specific tasks for a specific
organization, company or individual and may not suit the needs of other
organizations, companies or individuals. Types: business process automation
system, automated invoicing, etc.

ii. Application packages/General purpose/Generic/Off-the-shelf Software

These are software developed and supplied by software companies like Microsoft,
Adobe, at a price. They are designed for many users and can meet the requirements

Prepared by Frank Okello [email protected]

 COMPUTER APPLICATIONS

or needs of the many users in the market. Types include: Word processors,
database applications, presentation applications, email applications, web
browsers, spreadsheets, graphics software, desktop publishing applications.

Q. Give examples of the types of generic software mentioned above.

Q. Explain five merits of generic software.

Factors to consider before buying a computer software

a) User-friendliness – the software should be easy and convenient to use.

b) Authenticity – authentic software is original software and is normally
supported by the developer. It is usually licensed and protected by a license
key.
c) Cost – this will depend on the software’s functionality and complexity. For
example, a customer database application developed using Oracle will be
more expensive than that developed using Microsoft Access.
d) Hardware requirements – these include RAM and hard disk capacity as well
as processor type and speed. Ensure that those requirements can support the
software.
e) Portability – it should be possible to transfer data created using the software
into another software without having to retype it, e.g., ability to transfer a
Word document into PageMaker, or ability to transfer an image from a
Adobe Illustrator Microsoft Word document, etc.
f) Compatibility – Compatibility – The software to be bought must be
compatible with the computer at hand, i.e., it should work on the computer.
g) Documentation – this assists the user in knowing how to use the software,
and also provides solutions to some technical problems. It could be a

Prepared by Frank Okello [email protected]

 COMPUTER APPLICATIONS

manual/guide. The documentation can also help the user on information

about how to fix errors that may arise while running the software.

Operating System

An Operating System is a software which manages all activities in a computer

system and provides an environment for application programs to run. It can also be
defined as a group of programs that together control the operation of a computer
system. Examples of Operating System include Microsoft Windows, Macintosh,
Unix, Linux, Ubuntu, Novell Netware, Android, iOS, Symbian, MS-DOS, etc.

Functions of Operating System

a) Memory management – Operating system allocates memory space to

running programs and deallocates memory space from programs that are
being closed.
b) File management – Operating system helps the user to create, save, copy,
move, rename and delete files.
c) User interface – it enables the computer user to interact with and use the
computer system.
d) Secondary storage management – it also keeps track of the amount of disk
space that is currently being occupied and the unused space.
e) Protection and security – Operating system enhances protection and
security of user files and programs from unauthorized access through
usernames and password.
f) Error detection – it detects technical errors that might occur when a
program is running. It then notifies the user through an error message and
prompts them for an appropriate corrective response.

Prepared by Frank Okello [email protected]

 COMPUTER APPLICATIONS

g) Device management – Operating system also controls and manages all

devices connected to the computer system. For example, it manages transfer
of data between the computer and an external device, e.g., printer, flash
drive etc.
h) I/O management – Operating system responds to keystrokes and mouse
clicks. Additionally, it detects when an I/O device is faulty or disconnected.

User Interface

It is the method by which a computer user and a computer system exchange

information and commands in an interactive mode.

Types of User Interface

Command line Interface

It is the oldest type. The user interacts with the computer system by typing
commands. It is used in MS-DOS.

Pros

i. It is suitable for experienced users and experts.

ii. Can be used in a computer which has very little memory and is slow.

Cons

❖ It is difficult to remember all the commands

❖ Continuous typing can be tedious
❖ Errors are frequent
❖ It is a slow method for inexperienced users

Prepared by Frank Okello [email protected]

 COMPUTER APPLICATIONS

Menu-driven Interface

This interface comprises a series of menus and sub-menus which the user access by
pressing buttons. It is usually used in ATMs, ticket machines, etc.

Pros

i. No need to remember commands as they are readily displayed on the screen

ii. Easy to use because the commands are self-explanatory
iii. It is a faster method than command line interface

Con

❖ One may have to switch several screens to access a particular menu.

Graphical User Interface (GUI)

In this type of interface, the user interacts with the computer by using a pointing
device such as mouse, trackball or touchpad. GUI uses a WIMP system.

NB: WIMP stands for Windows Icons Menus Pointer

Merits of GUI

i. Many programs use GUI hence use a similar interface. It is, therefore, easy
to learn how to use a new program
ii. Most operations are self-explanatory, so the user does not have to memorize
commands like in command line interface
iii. GUI supports multiprogramming where multiple programs can run
concurrently, each having its own window
iv. Most GUIs provide good help facilities
v. It is easier and faster to use than command line interface
vi. The interface has a more appealing look than command line interface

Prepared by Frank Okello [email protected]

 COMPUTER APPLICATIONS

Demerits of GUI

i. It takes up a lot of memory space

ii. It requires a fast computer

Form-based Interface

It is an interface that enables the user to interact with an application via an

electronic form. The user interacts with the application by entering data through
text boxes, text areas, check boxes, radio buttons, drop-down menus.

Voice User Interface

This allows the user to interact with the computer through voice or speech
commands.

Q. What are the merits and demerits of Voice user interface?

CHAPTER 4: DATA SECURITY AND CONTROL

Introduction

Data and information must be protected against unauthorized access, disclosure,

modification or damage. This is because it is a scarce and valuable resource for any
business organization or government. It is mostly used in transactions, it can be
shared, and has high value attached to it.

Data Security

Data security refers to the protection of data and information from accidental or
international disclosure to unauthorized persons.

Prepared by Frank Okello [email protected]

 COMPUTER APPLICATIONS

Data Privacy

Private data is the data which belongs to an individual and must not be accessed
by or disclosed to any other person, without direct permission from the owner.

SECURITY THREATS TO DATA AND INFORMATION

These include Computer viruses, Theft. Unauthorized access.

COMPUTER VIRUSES

A computer virus is a destructive program thar attaches itself to other files when
the files are opened for use, and also installs itself on the computer, without the
knowledge of the user. It is a program designed specifically to damage other
programs or interfere with the proper functioning of the computer system. It is able
to replicate itself and spread in the computer system.

Types of computer viruses

❖ Boot sector virus – it destroys the booting information on storage devices

❖ File virus – it attaches themselves to files, either erasing or modifying them.
❖ Hoax virus – it come as e-mails with an attractive subject and activate
themselves when the e-mail is opened.
❖ Trojans – they appear to perform necessary functions, but perform other
undesirable activities in the background without the knowledge of the user.
❖ Resident virus – virus that embeds or stores itself in the computer memory,
allowing it to infect any other file that runs in the computer.

Examples of destructions/damages caused by a virus attack

i. It can delete or modify data and files on storage devices (disks) or memory
during normal program execution

Prepared by Frank Okello [email protected]

 COMPUTER APPLICATIONS

ii. May attack the format of a disk making any program or data on it impossible to
recover.
iii. Systematically destroy all the data in the computer memory.
iv. Can change keystroke values or data from other I/O devices, e.g., change the
effect of the SHIFT key.
v. Consumes computer memory space, hence, slowing down its performance or
causing the system to crash.
vi. It can change colour of the display.
vii. Can cause boot failure.

Sources of Computer viruses

1. Contact with contaminated systems – if a diskette is used on a virus infected

computer, it could become contaminated. If the same diskette is used on another
computer, then the virus will spread.
2. Use of pirated software – pirated software may be contaminated by a virus, or it
may have been amended to perform some destructive functions which may
affect your computer.
3. Infected proprietary software – a virus could be introduced when the software is
being developed in computer laboratories, and then copied onto diskettes
containing the finished software product.
4. Fake games – some virus programs behave like computer games software, and
the virus can spread very fast.
5. Using infected external removable storage devices e.g., flash drives
6. Opening email attachments from unknown sources
7. Clicking on unauthentic internet links and pop ups or ads
8. Viruses can also spread through software or data distributed via networks.
9. Installing applications from non-trusted sources

Prepared by Frank Okello [email protected]

 COMPUTER APPLICATIONS

Symptoms of viruses in a computer system.

The following symptoms indicate the presence of a virus in your computer;

a) Boot failure
b) Files and programs disappearing mysteriously
c) Unfamiliar graphics or messages appearing on the screen. For example, the
virus might flash a harmless message such as Merry Christmas on the computer
display
d) Gradual filling of the free space on the hard disk
e) Corruption of files and programs
f) Program taking longer than usual to load
g) Some programs may fail to open
h) Slowing down of computer system performance e.g., files and applications
taking too long to load, or booting process becoming too slow
i) Unusual error messages occurring more frequently
j) Frequent read/write errors
k) Unknown programs starting on your computer
l) Computer hangs anytime when running a program
m) Less memory available than usual
n) Change in the size of files
o) Computer may reboot itself several times
p) Frequent crashes. Does your computer randomly crash on you? Does your
screen freeze and become the infamous ‘blue screen of death’? This could be a
sign that your device has been infected with a virus.
q) Computer battery draining quickly – as the virus continues to multiply, it uses
resources from your computer and creates more activity on your computer. As a
result, your battery life is diminished.

Prepared by Frank Okello [email protected]

 COMPUTER APPLICATIONS

Some control measures against virus attack

❑ Restrict the movement of foreign storage media e.g., diskettes in the computer

room. If they must be used, they must be scanned for viruses

❑ Use an Antivirus software to scan and remove viruses

❑ Update your Antivirus software

❑ Write-protect disks after using them

❑ Back up all software and data files at regular intervals

❑ Install pop-up blocker (ads blocker)

❑ Do not boot your computer from disks which you are not sure are free from

viruses
❑ Avoid pirated software; if possible, use the software from the major software

houses
Computer worm

A computer worm is a type of malware that spreads copies of itself from computer
to computer. A worm can replicate itself without any human interaction, and it
does not need to attach itself to a software program in order to cause damage.

How do computer worms work?

Worms can be transmitted via software vulnerabilities. Or computer worms could

arrive as attachments in spam emails or instant messages (IMs). Once opened,
these files could provide a link to a malicious website or automatically download
the computer worm. Once it’s installed, the worm silently goes to work and infects
the machine without the user’s knowledge.

Worms can modify and delete files, and they can even inject additional malicious
software onto a computer. Sometimes a computer worm’s purpose is only to make
copies of itself over and over — depleting system resources, such as hard drive

Prepared by Frank Okello [email protected]

 COMPUTER APPLICATIONS

space or bandwidth, by overloading a shared network. In addition to wreaking

havoc on a computer’s resources, worms can also steal data, install a backdoor, and
allow a hacker to gain control over a computer and its system settings.

How to tell if your computer has a worm

If you suspect your devices are infected with a computer worm, run a virus scan
immediately. Even if the scan comes up negative, continue to be proactive by
following these steps.

✓ Keep an eye on your hard drive space. When worms repeatedly replicate
themselves, they start to use up the free space on your computer.
✓ Monitor speed and performance. Has your computer seemed a little sluggish
lately? Are some of your programs crashing or not running properly? That
could be a red flag that a worm is eating up your processing power.
✓ Be on the lookout for missing or new files. One function of a computer worm
is to delete and replace files on a computer.

Q. Explain the meanings of the term malware and the term spyware.

Unauthorized Access

Data is always under constant threat from people who may want tom access it
without permission. Such persons will usually have bad intentions, either to
commit fraud, steal information and destroy or corrupt the data. Unauthorized
access may take the following forms:

❖ Eavesdropping – this is tapping into communication channels to get

information, e.g., hackers mainly use eavesdropping to obtain credit card
numbers.

Prepared by Frank Okello [email protected]

 COMPUTER APPLICATIONS

❖ Surveillance (monitoring) – this is where a person may monitor all computer

activities done by another person or people. The information gathered may be
used for different purposes e.g., for spreading propaganda or sabotage.
❖ Industrial espionage – involves spying on a competitor so as to get or steal
information that can be used to finish the competitor or for commercial gain.
The main aim of espionage is to get ideas on how to counter by developing
similar approach or sabotage.
❖ An employee who is not supposed to see some sensitive data gets it either by
mistake or by design
❖ Strangers who may stray into the computer room when nobody is using the
computers.
❖ Forced entry into the computer room through access points.
❖ Network access in case the computers are networked and connected to the
external world

Control measures against Unauthorized access

a) Enforce data and information access control policies on all the employees to
control access to data
b) Keep the computer room closed when nobody is using it
c) Reinforce weak access points e.g., doors and windows with metallic grills and
burglar alarms
d) Use file passwords to prevent any person from getting access to the electronic
files
e) Enforce network security measures e.g., use of firewalls
f) Encrypt the data and information during transmission
g) Perform frequent audit trails to identify threats to data and information

Prepared by Frank Okello [email protected]

 COMPUTER APPLICATIONS

Theft

Some information is so valuable such that business competitors or some

government officials can decide to pay somebody so as to steal it for them to use.

Control measures against theft of information, hardware and software

➢ Create backups and store in locations away for the main computing center
➢ Reinforce weak access points e.g., the windows, doors and roofing with
metallic grills and strong padlocks
➢ Put burglar proofs in the computer room
➢ Employ guards to keep watch over data and information centers and backups.

Computer Crime

It is also known as cyber-crime.

Definitions of computer crime:

• The deliberate theft or criminal destruction of computerized data.

• The use of computer hardware, software or data for illegal activities e.g.,
stealing, forgery, defrauding, etc.
• Committing of illegal acts using a computer or against a computer system or
user.

Examples of Computer Crimes

❖ Fraud – is the use of computers to conceal information or cheat other people

with the intention of gaining money or information.
❖ Alteration of data – is the illegal changing of stored data without permission
with the aim spreading misinformation.

Prepared by Frank Okello [email protected]

 COMPUTER APPLICATIONS

❖ Denial of service attack – it is an attack meant to shut down a machine or

network, making it inaccessible to its intended users.
❖ Ransomware – involves infecting a computer or network with ransomware.
Ransomware has the capability to prevent users from accessing all of their
personal data on the system by encrypting them and then asking for a ransom
in order to give access to the encrypted data.
❖ Identity theft – is a form of hacking where the perpetrator accesses the
victim’s sensitive information such as bank account details or credit card
numbers. They then use this information to spend their victim’s money for
online shopping or simply steal the money through fraudulent transfers.
❖ Hacking – is the practice of gaining unauthorized access to another person’s
computer, database, or network where private information is stored.

Reasons for hacking

✓ To copy or corrupt the information

✓ As a hobby to test the expertise of the hacker
✓ Some do it for companies that want to secure the company systems –
professional hacking
❖ Cyber stalking/Cyber bullying/Harassment – cyber stalkers use email,
social media or online forums to stalk and harass people online.
❖ Child pornography – here the perpetrator looks to create or distribute sexual
images of children.
❖ Sabotage – is the illegal destruction of the computer system by a person with
grudges with the aim of crippling service delivery or causing great loss to an
organization. For example, cutting off communication lines.

Prepared by Frank Okello [email protected]

 COMPUTER APPLICATIONS

❖ Phishing – this is when criminals send fraudulent emails pretending to be

from legitimate businesses, in an attempt to collect sensitive, personal
information.
❖ Commercial espionage – employees steal sensitive information and sell it to
the outsiders or competitors for profit. This may lead to leakage important
information, e.g., information on marketing strategies used by the
organization, research information, medical reports, etc.
❖ Installing malware on someone’s computer
❖ Trespass – refers to the illegal physical entry into restricted computer rooms
❖ Tapping – involves listening to a transmission line to gain a copy of the
message being transmitted. A person may use special programs that are able
to intercept messages being sent or received over a transmission line.
❖ Cracking – the use of guesswork by a person trying to look for a weakness in
the security codes of a software in order to access to information.
❖ Piracy – refers to illegally making or distributing copies of copyrighted
software or data without permission from the original owner.

Q. Discuss measures that can be taken to protect computers and computer users
against cyber crimes

Computer Security

What is computer security?

It is the safeguarding the computer and the related equipment from the risk of
damage or fraud. It can also be defined as protection of data against accidental or
deliberate threats which might cause unauthorized modification, disclosure or
destruction.

Prepared by Frank Okello [email protected]

 COMPUTER APPLICATIONS

Environmental threats to computers and information systems

These include: Fire, water, floods, lightening, thunderstorm, excessive heat or

temperature from the computer itself, smoke, dust, vandalism.

Causes of Data loss in computers

a) Power failure or disconnection

b) Crashing of computers
c) Damage to storage media
d) Virus attack
e) Accidental erasure

Q. Explain the possible precautions that can be taken against data loss in
computers.

Q. Discuss the laws governing protection of ICT

CHAPTER 5: COMPUTER NETWORKING AND INTERNET

NETWORKING

Computer network: it is the interconnection of computers and other devices

through transmission media for the purposes of sharing resources and exchanging
information.

Network devices: server, switch, router, repeater, multiplexor, bridge, hub,

Network Interface Card, network cable.

Classification of Computer Network

Computer networks can be classified based on any of three criteria, i.e.,

geographical coverage, server-based or peer-to-peer network, wired or wireless
network.

Prepared by Frank Okello [email protected]

 COMPUTER APPLICATIONS

Geographical Area of Coverage

Different types of networks have different areas of coverage.

✓ Local Area Network (LAN) – is a network that covers a limited (small)

geographical area.
✓ Wide Area Network (WAN) – is a network that covers a large geographical
area., e.g., a country, a continent or the world.
✓ Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) – a network that covers a city or town.
✓ Campus Area Network (CAN) – is a type of network that covers a university
or college campus.
✓ Personal Area Network (PAN) – a type of network that extends up to a radius
of 10 meters. It is used in devices such as printers, video game consoles,
scanners, PCs using Bluetooth technology.

Client-Server Network vs Peer-to-Peer network

a) Client-server Network

Also known as server-based network, this is a computer network in which one

centralized, powerful computer (called the server) is connected to less powerful
personal computers or workstations (called clients). The server is a computer or
system that provides resources, data, services, or programs to the other computers,
known as clients, over a network.

b) Peer-to-Peer Network

Each device on the network acts as server and client, there is no central computer
acting as the server.

Prepared by Frank Okello [email protected]

 COMPUTER APPLICATIONS

Wired vs Wireless network

In wired networks, devices are connected by use of network cables. Wireless

networks use radio signals (Wi-Fi) to connect devices on the network.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Computer Networks

Advantages

1. Resource sharing - a single resource e.g., printer, scanner etc., can be shared
among many users on the network.
2. File sharing – files stored on one device can be accessed among different
users connected to the network.
3. Increased file storage and backup – data can be stored or backed up on the
server or the other connected computers and can still be accessed by
everyone on the network. One standalone computer may not have enough
storage capacity to store all the required data, hence the need to utilize the
storage on the other computers on the network.
4. Network users can communicate by email, instant messenger, video
conferencing, etc.

Disadvantages

1. Cost: Purchasing the network cabling and servers can be expensive.

2. Managing a large network is complicated, requires training and a network

manager usually needs to be employed.

3. Overdependency on the server: If the server breaks down then the network
will be disabled, hence unable to offer the needed services.

Prepared by Frank Okello [email protected]

 COMPUTER APPLICATIONS

4. Rapid spread of computer virus: Viruses can spread to other computers

throughout a computer network.

5. Security issues: There is a danger of hacking, particularly with wide area

networks. Security procedures are needed to prevent such abuse, e.g.,
a firewall.

Network Topology

Network Topology refers to the manner in which various network devices

(nodes) are interconnected or arranged.

The types of network topology include: star topology, mesh topology, tree
topology, bus topology, bus topology.

1. Star topology: all the devices are connected through a central hub.
2. Mesh topology: each device is connected to every other device, i.e., there
exists a link between any two devices.
3. Bus topology: all the nodes are connected to a single cable known as bus
which is responsible for transmitting data between from one to another.
4. Ring topology: each node is connected to the two adjacent nides in a circular
fashion.
5. Tree topology: all the nodes are linked together like tree branches. It is a
combination of bus and star topologies.

Prepared by Frank Okello [email protected]

 COMPUTER APPLICATIONS

INTERNET

Internet refers to a global network that enables people to share information

electronically. For you to set up Internet connection need a computer, a modem, a
transmission line (can be physical like a fiber optic cable or can be wireless like
Wi-Fi connection, cellular connection), and an Internet Service Provider (ISP).

Basic Internet Terminologies

HTTP – provides a procedure for a web browser to request information (web page
or file) from a web server, so as to display that information to the user.

Intranet – is a private network created to facilitate collaboration and information

sharing among employees of an organization. An intranet is only accessible by
members of the organization.

Extranet – is an intranet that is accessible by authorized outsiders e.g., customers,

partners, vendors, etc.

Prepared by Frank Okello [email protected]

 COMPUTER APPLICATIONS

Telnet – Telnet provides a connection to the remote computer in such a way that a
local terminal appears to be at the remote side.

Internet of things –

Web server – refers to the computer where the web content is stored. It is used in
running (hosting) websites.

Website – refers to a set of web pages usually containing hyperlinks to each other
and made available online by the website owner.

Cloud computing –

Home page – it is the page that provides the introduction or content of a website
with links to other web pages of the website.

Universal Resource Locator (URL) – refers to a web address of a website or web

Web browser – is an application program used to download and display web

pages and files (documents, images, videos).

Web page – a single hypertext page that is part of a website.

Search engine – is a software that helps people to carry out web searches.

Browsing/Surfing –

Blog –

Wi-Fi –

Hotspot –

Hyperlink – is a graphic or piece of text in a webpage that links to another portion

of the same webpage, or to another webpage altogether. Hyperlinks are usually
coloured purple or blue.

Prepared by Frank Okello [email protected]

 COMPUTER APPLICATIONS

EMAIL

This is a method of sending and receiving messages and file electronically from
one device to another through the internet.

Email users usually have email addresses. An email address is divided into 3
parts: username, at sign and domain.

Example: [email protected]

An email compose window consists of six parts, namely subject, recipient,

body, attachments, CC or BCC and signature.

Q. Distinguish between CC and BCC.

Advantages of Email system over traditional Postal System

1. Message delivery is faster

2. It is cheaper since there are no stamps nor courier charges.
3. Messages not properly formatted can be accepted. In contrast, business
letters and inter-office memos are expected to be error free and formatted
according to certain standards.
4. Messages can be received anywhere in the world at any time.

Q. Outline 10 services offered by the Internet.

Q. Discuss the positive and negative effects of internet on the society.

Q. Name five web browsers and five search engines.

Prepared by Frank Okello [email protected]