Ict Skills
Ict Skills
Ict Skills
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
(a) Theft: Theft means stealing of information or hardware. These may be of three types:
• 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.
(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.