1. Lesson 30 Computer Safety and Ethics
Computer Literacy BASICS: A Comprehensive Guide to IC3, 3rd Edition
Morrison / Wells

2. Objectives
Explain how to maintain a safe working environment and use computer equipment in a way that prevents personal injury
Identify injuries that can result from the use of computers for long periods of time
Identify software threats and risks to data
Understand methods you can use to prevent data loss
Identify various security measures 2 2

3. Objectives (continued)
Identify the principles regarding when information can or cannot be considered personal
Identify the risks associated with electronic commerce
Understand how computer use can affect your privacy and personal security
Identify how to stay informed about changes and advancements in technology
Understand how to be a responsible user of computers 3 3

4. Vocabulary 4 4 browser hijacking brute force attacks hacking
hardware firewall
keylogger
private key
public key
repetitive strain injury (RSI)
Secure Sockets Layer (SSL)
sniffer
spyware
strong password
Transport Layer Security (TLS) 4 4

5. Introduction
As a computer user, you have certain responsibilities that govern your use of technology, including the following guidelines and policies, exercising ethical conduct online, and maintaining a safe work environment. 5 5

6. Maintaining a Safe Computing Environment
Make sure you use a computer in a way that supports your comfort, health, and safety.
Pay attention to your posture, lighting, and activity level.
Review product safety guidelines provided with your computer and any electronic devices. 6 6

7. Computer Related Injuries
Take precautions to avoid eyestrain, back problems, and repetitive strain injury (RSI), which can result when a person makes too many of the same motions over a long period of time.
A well-designed work area, use of ergonomic furniture, good posture, and changing positions throughout the day are effective ways to minimize these types of injuries. 7 7

8. Security Risks
Wireless networks create serious risks if it is not properly secured.
Using Network Protection:
Password-protect your wireless network and turn on some form of encryption.
Computer Hacking:
Use firewalls to prevent hackers from invading computers. 8 8

9. Security Risks (continued)
Avoiding Data Loss:
Save frequently and back up data regularly. 9 9

10. Security Risks (continued)
Safeguarding Against Software Threats:
To protect against viruses, use strong passwords, download and install the latest security updates for your operating system, and use an up-to-date antivirus program. 10 10

11. Access Restrictions
System administrators and users often restrict access to files, storage devices, various computers, networks, the Internet, or specific Internet sites to protect data and other users.
Firewalls do not protect data from employees.
When using software to monitor computer usage, protecting users should be balanced with preserving privacy. 11 11

12. Private Property—But Not Yours
Generally, any information gathered from a company’s computer system is company property and not an individual worker’s personal property.
Many organizations have computer network usage policies that provide guidelines for using the organization’s systems ethically, professionally, and legally. 12 12

13. E-Commerce Issues
Before providing personal or credit card information on an e-commerce site, verify that the site is secure.
TSL and SSL technology enables encryption of sensitive information by establishing a private communication channel.
To protect private information:
Use a secure browser
Check privacy policies
Keep personal information private 13 13

14. Preserving Privacy
Any time you submit information on the Internet, it can possibly be gathered and used.
Phishing attempts to steal private data by posing as a trustworthy entity.
Phishing message 14 14

15. Preserving Privacy (continued)
Cookies and Spyware:
Clean up unnecessary cookies on your computer frequently with a utility program.
Spyware tracks your Web habits and can be harmful as well as annoying.
Avoiding spyware infection 15 15

16. Securing Data
The best way to protect data is to effectively control the access to it using passwords or login information. 16 16

17. Using the Internet Safely and Legally
Information on the safe use of computers can be found on numerous Web sites, in books and magazines, and other similar media. 17 17

18. Technology Changes and Individual Responsibilities
It is your responsibility to stay informed about changes and advancements in computer technology, product upgrades, and virus threats.
Be a responsible computer user by recycling products such as paper and ink cartridges and donating unneeded computer hardware.
Consider volunteering to help others learn to use computers effectively. Be 18 18

19. Summary 19 19 In this lesson, you learned:
Make sure you use a computer in a way that supports your comfort, health, and safety. When you use a computer, take precautions to avoid chronic physical maladies such as repetitive motion injuries, eyestrain, and back problems that can arise over time. Ergonomic design, which adapts equipment and the workplace to fit the worker, can help to prevent repetitive strain injuries. 19 19

20. Summary (continued)
When setting up your wireless network, your first step should be to change the default password to protect access to the network.
Computer hacking involves invading someone else’s computer, usually for personal gain or the satisfaction of defeating a security system.
To avoid data loss, you can use techniques and devices for preventing power interruptions. You can also devise and follow a regular procedure for backing up your data. 20 20

21. Summary (continued)
A virus is a program that has been written, usually by a hacker, to corrupt data on a computer. The virus is attached to a file and spreads from one file to another once the program is executed. To protect your computer against virus damage, use up-to-date antivirus software, download and install security updates for your operating system, and avoid opening files sent via from people you do not know.
System administrators and users often restrict access to files, storage devices, various computers, networks, the Internet, or specific Internet sites. 21 21

22. Summary (continued)
If you work for a company that provides you with services, the information you send is available to the company and is the company’s property.
TSL and SSL technology enables encryption of sensitive information by establishing a private communication channel. Data transmitted through this channel is encrypted during transmission.
Nearly all schools, government agencies, companies, libraries, and other similar institutions have written policies and guidelines regarding Internet usage. 22 22