Session 1: Basic Computer Operations

ICT skills help us to communicate, run our business and stay connected
with our family and friends. Hence, every person needs to acquire ICT skills
and build them to stay updated with the latest software and applications
(apps).

Computer Hardware and Software

A computer system consists of two main parts—

Hardware- The physical parts that we can see and touch are called
hardware. It is the machinery of a computer. These are the keyboard,
monitor, CPU, etc
Software: The part which cannot be seen but it makes hardware to work.
Example: Windows, MS office etc.
Operating System (OS). This is the software that starts working as soon
as we switch on a computer. It displays the desktop on the monitor. Some
of the most commonly used operating systems for laptops and desktop
are Ubuntu, Microsoft Windows and Mac OS.

Starting a Computer

To start a computer, press the Power button on the CPU. This will start the
operating system and display the desktop on the monitor.

Basic Functions performed when a computer starts a computer

automatically runs a basic program called BIOS (Basic
Input/Output System) as soon as it is switched on or the power button is
pushed on. The BIOS first does a self-test. If the self-test shows that the
system is fine, the BIOS will load the Operating System.

Login and Logout

When you login to the computer with your login-ID and password (as
shown in Figure 3.5), the computer knows that you are an authorised
person and allows you to work on the applications in the computer.
Shutting Down a Computer

You can shut down the windows computer clicking Star button at the
bottom left corner and then click Shut Down. When you click Shut
down, the Operating System will close all the applications and turn off the
computer.

Using the Keyboard

A keyboard is an input device used to type text, numbers and commands

into the computer.

Function Keys

Keys labeled from F1 to F12 are function keys. You use them to perform
specific functions.

(a) Control keys: Keys, such as Control (CTRL), SHIFT, SPACEBAR,

ALT, CAPS LOCK and TAB, are special control keys

(b) Enter key: The label on this key can be either ENTER or RETURN,
depending on the brand of computer that you are using. You use the
ENTER or the RETURN key to move the cursor to the beginning of a new
line.

(c) Punctuation keys: Punctuation keys include keys for punctuation

marks, such as colon (:), semicolon (;), question mark (?), single quotation
marks (‘ ’), and double quotation marks (“ ”). (d)

(d) Navigation keys: Keys, such as the arrow keys, HOME, END, PAGE
UP, and PAGE DOWN are navigation keys.

(e) Command keys: Keys, such as INSERT (INS), DELETE (DEL), and
BACKSPACE are command
keys. When the INSERT key is turned ON, it helps you overwrite
characters to the right of the
cursor

(f) Windows key: Pressing this key opens the Start menu
Using a Mouse
a small device that you can use to move, select and open items on your
computer screen.

Roll Over or Hover

Some actions can be done by simply rolling over or hovering over an item.
When you bring the mouse over a file in File Explorer, it will show the
details of that file

Point and Click

As you move the mouse on your desk, a pointer moves correspondingly on
your screen.When you click a particular file, it gets selected

Drag and Drop

To move an item, you need to click it, and then holding the mouse button
down, move the item to a new location. After you move the item to the new
location, you release the mouse button. This is called drag and drop.

Double-click
Double-clicking means to quickly click the left mouse button twice. When
we double-click on a file, it will open the file.

Session 2: Performing Basic File Operations

Files and Folders
All information stored in a computer is kept in files.Each file is given a
file name and has a file name extension that identifies the file
type.Example: .txt, .jpg, .mp3.

A folder is a location where a group of files can be stored

Basic Shortcuts

CTRL+z — undo
CTRL+y — redo
CTRL+a — select all
CTRL+x — cut
CTRL+c — copy
CTRL+v — paste
CTRL+p — print
CTRL+s — save.

Session 3: Computer Care and Maintenance

Importance of Care and Maintenance of Computers

Taking care of electronic devices, such as computer and mobiles helps

them to work properly.

Basic Tips for Taking Care of Devices

(i) Keyboard: You can clean a keyboard with a soft brush

(ii) Screen: You can wipe the screen with a soft cloth to remove any finger
marks.

(iii) Handle devices carefully: Handle and move your laptop carefully and
avoid dropping or banging it against a hard surface.

(v) Keep the computer cool: If a computer, laptop or mobile device gets
overheated, the internal parts can be damaged. The CPU has an internal
fan to keep it cool. We should make sure the fan is functioning.

(vi) Do not overcharge your battery: Sometimes we keep a device

plugged in for charging even after it is fully charged.This reduces the
battery life. Always unplug the device once it
is charged 100%.

(vii) Always plug in devices carefully: Any device being connected to a

laptop or computer such as a USB drive or headphones, should be done
gently. It should not be forced into the port.

(viii) Do not run too many programs at a time: When too many
programs are running at the same time, the computer can become slow
and even crash.

Prepare a Maintenance Schedule

(a) Daily Maintenance
i. Clean up your e-mail inbox
ii. Download e-mail attachments and save in proper folders

(b) Weekly Maintenance

i. Clean your keyboard
ii. Clean your monitor
iii. Dust CPU and printer
iv. Backup your data to an external drive

(c) Monthly Maintenance

i. Transfer photographs to computer and delete from drive
ii. Organise photos into folders or albums
iii. Clean up ‘Download’ folder
iv. Uninstall unused programs and apps
v. Run disk-cleaner software
vi. Run full system virus scan

(d) Yearly/Annual Maintenance

(i) Clean up contacts list on social media accounts
(ii) Clean up e-mail contact list
(iii) Update your operating system
(iv) Check for expiry of anti-virus software
and renew

Backup Your Data

Backing up data means to save the information present on your computer
on another device, such as CD/DVD drives Data can recovered from here
in case the computer stops working completely. Computers can crash,
humans can make mistakes and natural disasters, such as floods can
happen

Scanning and Cleaning Viruses

Sometimes computer viruses can enter a computer from such attacks we
can install anti-virus software. This will prevent any viruses from entering
and will also clean any viruses that may enter our system before they affect
the data.
Increasing Computer Performance If we have been using a computer for a
long time we
have a lot of unnecessary files and data, such as temporary files and
images. When they use too much hard-disk space, the performance of the
computer goes down. It is important that we keep cleaning by removing any
extra files.

Removing SPAM from your Computer

Sometimes we get emails from companies who are advertising a product or
trying to
attract you to their website. Such mails are called SPAM. We should never
respond to SPAM and delete it on a regular basis.

Session 4: Computer Security and Privacy

Threats to Computer
Threats are the ways in which personal information can be leaked from a
computer without our knowledge.

(a) Theft: Theft means stealing of information or hardware. These may be

of three types:

• Physical: Where a person may steal your desktop computer or laptop.

• Identity: Where a hacker steals your personal information and assumes

your identity. Using this false identity, the hacker can gain access to your
account information or perform illegal activity.

• Software Piracy: This is stealing of software and includes using or

distributing unlicensed and unauthorised copies of a computer program or
software.

(b) Virus: Viruses are computer programs that can damage the data and
software programs or steal the information stored on a computer. Major
types of viruses are Worms and Trojan Horse.

Worms: These are viruses that replicate themselves and spread to all files
once they
Information and Communication Technology Skills 81 attack a computer.
This makes it very difficult to remove them.
Trojan Horse: A Trojan Horse disguises itself i.e., it appears to be a useful
software program but once it reaches a computer it starts behaving like a
virus and destroying data.

• Online Predator: Online predators are people who trap you into
inappropriate relationships.
They may be older people posing to be your age, bullying you into doing
illegal activities
online and sometimes face to face.

• Internet Scams: Sometimes you may receive very attractive offers saying
you have won huge money in a lottery and that you can claim the prize by
depositing a certain amount of money. When you deposit the money using
credit card or online banking, you not only lose the deposit money but your
card/account information may be misused later.

Protecting your Data

(a) Use passwords to login to your computer: Use passwords that are
difficult to guess. Passwords are difficult to hack if they are a mix of small
(For example ‘a b c d’) and capital letters (For example, ‘H J E R’),
numbers (For example ‘8 7 6 5’) and special characters
(For example, ’% ^ # $’). This would prevent unauthorised people from
using your computer.

(b) Install Anti-virus and Firewall: Anti-viruses and Firewall monitor the
data coming in and out of a computer and prevent and viruses from
entering. Anti-viruses can also detect and clean viruses that may have
entered a computer.

(c) Encrypt Data: This is usually done by banks and companies in which
important customer information is stored. They can encrypt their entire hard
disk using the encrypting feature in Windows (Bitlocker). This would force
users to use a decryption password (or key) before starting the computer
thus preventing unauthorised usage.

(d) Secure sites: Give details of your credit card or bank account only on
secure sites. See in the address bar of the browser. If the site address
starts with https://and a lock symbol, then it is safe to give your credit card
and bank details.