Ch 3ICT Skills – II

ICT Skills – II

What is ICT?

ICT stands for Information and Communication Technology. It refers to all the devices and software used to store, process, send and receive information digitally — computers, smartphones, tablets, the internet, email and messaging apps. ICT skills help us learn, work, communicate and access services in daily life.

Basic Computer Operations

A computer works on the Input – Process – Output cycle. Input devices (keyboard, mouse, scanner, microphone) send data to the computer; the CPU processes it; output devices (monitor, printer, speakers) show the result; and storage devices (hard disk, pen drive) save it for later use.

• Starting a computer: press the power button. The computer performs a self-test (POST) and loads the operating system into memory — this is called booting.
• Login and logout: entering a username and password keeps your work private; logging out closes your session safely.
• Shutting down: always use the Shut Down option so that open files are closed properly and data is not lost.

Operating Systems

An operating system (OS) is the main system software that manages all the hardware and software of a computer and acts as an interface between the user and the machine. Without an OS, a computer cannot work.

Functions of an Operating System

• Managing devices – controls input/output devices through device drivers.
• Memory management – allocates and frees main memory (RAM) for programs.
• File management – creates, opens, saves, moves and deletes files and folders.
• Processor management – decides which task gets the CPU and for how long.
• Security – protects data through login passwords and user permissions.
• User interface – provides a way for the user to interact with the computer.

Types of Operating Systems

File Management

Information on a computer is stored in files, and files are organised inside folders (directories). A folder can contain files as well as other folders (sub-folders), forming a tree structure. A file has a name and an extension that shows its type, e.g., .docx (document), .jpg (image), .mp3 (audio), .odt (LibreOffice Writer).

• In Windows: use File Explorer to create (right-click → New → Folder), rename (F2), copy (Ctrl+C), paste (Ctrl+V), move (Ctrl+X then Ctrl+V) and delete (Delete key) files. Deleted files go to the Recycle Bin, from where they can be restored.
• In Ubuntu (Linux): use the Files application, or terminal commands such as ls (list files), mkdir (make directory), cd (change directory), cp (copy), mv (move/rename) and rm (remove).

Care and Maintenance of Computers

Regular maintenance increases the life of a computer and keeps it running fast. Good practices include:

• Keep the computer dust-free: wipe the screen with a soft cloth, clean the keyboard with a soft brush or blower, and keep food and drinks away.
• Do not overcharge the battery of a laptop; avoid blocking air vents so the machine does not overheat.
• Back up data regularly on an external hard disk, pen drive or cloud storage so that data is safe even if the computer fails.
• Run Disk Cleanup to remove temporary and unwanted files, and Scandisk/Check Disk to find and repair disk errors.
• Use Disk Defragmenter to rearrange scattered pieces of files so the disk works faster.
• Keep the operating system and software updated, and remove programs you no longer use.

Computer Security and Privacy

Computer security means protecting the computer and its data from theft, damage and unauthorised access. Common threats are:

• Virus – a harmful program that attaches itself to files, copies itself and damages data; it spreads through infected pen drives, downloads and email attachments.
• Worm – malware that spreads on its own across networks without attaching to a file.
• Trojan horse – appears to be useful software but secretly harms the system.
• Spyware – secretly watches your activity and steals information like passwords.
• Online threats – phishing (fake emails/websites that steal personal details), hacking and identity theft.

Protecting Your Computer and Data

• Install a good antivirus program and keep it updated; scan pen drives before use.
• Turn on the firewall, which checks the data entering or leaving the computer over a network and blocks suspicious connections.
• Use strong passwords — at least 8 characters with a mix of capital and small letters, numbers and symbols; never share them or use the same password everywhere.
• Do not open emails or attachments from unknown senders, and download software only from trusted websites.
• Take regular backups and log out from shared computers; be careful about what personal information you share online.