Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term v4 - SHS 1
COMPUTER AND INFORMATION SECURITY
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COMPUTER AND INFORMATION SECURITY
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Subject: Ict
Class: SHS 1
Term: 1st Term
Week: 19
Grade code: 1.2.2.LI.2
Strand code: 2
Sub-strand code: 2
Content standard code: 1.2.2.CS.1
Indicator code: 1.2.2.LI.2
Theme: NETWORK SYSTEMS FOR TRANSMI TTING INFORMATION
Subtheme: COMPUTER AND INFORMATION SECURITY
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In Ghana, computers, laptops, and smartphones are valuable tools for education, business, and communication. They are also expensive investments. Protecting these devices from physical harm is just as important as protecting them from viruses. Many people think computer security is only about passwords and antivirus software, but if your computer is damaged by heat, water, or a power surge, your information is lost all the same. This lesson focuses on the physical dangers that can damage our computer equipment, with a special look at a very common but often ignored problem: overheating.
Introduction: Physical vs. Information Security It's important to understand the difference between two types of security: Information Security: Protecting the *data* on the computer from hackers, viruses, and unauthorized access. This involves passwords, antivirus software, and firewalls. Physical Security: Protecting the *computer hardware* itself from damage or theft. This involves protecting against heat, dust, liquid, power problems, and being stolen.
Today, we are focusing on Physical Security. A. Major Physical Safety Risks to Computer Equipment Environmental Risks: Heat (Overheating): The most common and damaging risk. We will discuss this in detail. Dust: Small dust particles can get inside the computer, clog cooling fans, and act like a blanket, trapping heat. In dusty environments like we often have during Harmattan, this is a major problem. Liquid/Humidity: Spilling water, soda ("minerals"), or any liquid on a computer can cause a short circuit, destroying the internal components instantly. High humidity can also lead to corrosion over time. Power-Related Risks: Power Surges/Spikes: A sudden increase in voltage, often happening when power is restored after an outage ("dumsor"). This can "fry" or burn out sensitive components like the motherboard or power supply. Power Outages (Blackouts/Brownouts): A complete loss or significant drop in power can cause data corruption if the computer shuts down improperly while writing to the hard disk. Human and Mechanical Risks: Accidental Damage: Dropping a laptop, knocking over a desktop tower, or placing heavy objects on the computer. Theft: Physically stealing the computer or its components (like RAM or hard drives).
B. Deep Dive: Overheating and Poor Heat Dissipation
This is the main focus of our lesson, as required by the curriculum.