Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term v4 - SHS 1
COMPUTER AND INFORMATION SECURITY
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COMPUTER AND INFORMATION SECURITY
Download the Lessonotes Mobile Ghana app for faster lesson access on Android and iPhone.
Subject: Ict
Class: SHS 1
Term: 2nd Term
Week: 20
Grade code: 2.2.2.LI.2
Strand code: 2
Sub-strand code: 2
Content standard code: 2.2.2.CS.1
Indicator code: 2.2.2.LI.2
Theme: NETWORK SYSTEMS FOR TRANSMI TTING INFORMATION
Subtheme: COMPUTER AND INFORMATION SECURITY
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In today's Ghana, our lives are becoming more digital every day. We use our phones for Mobile Money (MoMo), our laptops for schoolwork, and social media to connect with friends. The Ghana Card system is digital, and so are many banking services. While this technology makes life easier, it also exposes our personal and financial information to risks from online criminals. This lesson will equip you with the essential knowledge and skills to protect your digital devices and personal information from common online threats. We will learn about the digital "locks" and "security guards" that keep us safe online, ensuring we can use ICT tools confidently and responsibly.
Part 1: Understanding the Threats (Computer Network Attacks)
Before we can prevent attacks, we must understand what they are. A computer network attack is an unauthorized action by a malicious person to access, damage, or steal data on a computer or network.
Common Types of Threats (Malware): Malware (Malicious Software) is a general term for any software designed to cause harm. Think of it as the family name for digital germs. Virus: A piece of code that attaches itself to a program or file. When the program is run, the virus spreads to other files. Analogy: It's like the flu virus. It needs a human host (a program) to spread from person to person (computer to computer). For example, a virus could be hidden in a cracked software you download from a torrent site. Worm: A standalone program that can replicate itself and spread across a network without any human help. Analogy: A worm is like a rumour spreading through the school. Once it starts, it moves from person to person on its own, causing chaos. Worms often exploit weaknesses in operating systems to spread. Trojan Horse: A program that looks legitimate and useful (e.g., a free game, a video player) but has hidden malicious functions. Analogy: It is named after the famous Greek story. You receive a beautiful wooden horse as a gift (the free software), but hidden inside are enemy soldiers (the malware) who attack once you bring it into your city (your computer). Phishing: An attack where criminals try to trick you into giving them sensitive information (like passwords, bank details, or MoMo PINs) by pretending to be a trustworthy entity. Ghanaian Example: You receive an SMS text saying: "Your MoMo account has been blocked due to a system update. Click this link to verify and unblock it now: [fake link]". The link leads to a fake website that looks like the real MoMo portal. When you enter your PIN, the criminals steal it. Part 2: The Solutions (Preventive Mechanisms)
These are the tools and strategies we use to protect ourselves from the threats above. Antivirus Software What it is: A program designed to detect, prevent, and remove malware from your computer. How it works: Signature-Based Detection: The antivirus software has a huge database of "signatures" or "fingerprints" of known viruses. It scans files on your computer and compares them to this database. If it finds a match, it quarantines or deletes the file. This is why it's crucial to update your antivirus regularly – to get the latest signatures for new viruses. Heuristic Analysis: For new, unknown viruses, the antivirus watches the behaviour of programs. If a program starts doing suspicious things (like deleting files or trying to copy itself everywhere), the antivirus will flag it as potential malware. Examples: Windows Defender (built into Windows), Avast, Kaspersky, McAfee, Bitdefender. Firewalls What it is: A security system that acts as a barrier or a gatekeeper between your computer/network and the internet. It monitors all incoming and outgoing network traffic and decides whether to allow or block it based on a set of security rules. Analogy: A firewall is like the security guard at the gate of your school. The guard checks the ID of everyone trying to enter and leave. If someone looks suspicious or is not on the approved list, the guard denies them entry. The firewall does the same for data packets trying to enter or leave your computer. Types of Firewalls: Software Firewall: A program installed on an individual computer. It protects only that one computer. Example: Windows Defender Firewall, which comes pre-installed on all modern Windows computers. It's your personal bodyguard. Hardware Firewall: A physical device, often built into your internet router (like the WiFi box from Vodafone, MTN, or Telesol). It protects all the devices connected to that network (your phone, laptop, smart TV, etc.). Example: The router in your school's computer lab or at an internet cafe acts as a hardware firewall for all the computers connected to it. It's the main security gate for the entire compound. Other Essential Best Practices Use Strong Passwords: A weak password is like leaving your door unlocked. A strong password should be: At least 12 characters long. A mix of uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Not based on personal information (like your name or date of birth). Weak Password: `kwame123` Strong Password: `MyFavWaakye@2024!` Keep Software Updated: Companies regularly release updates for their software (Windows, Android, WhatsApp) to fix security weaknesses that hackers could exploit. Always install these updates promptly. It's like mending a hole in your mosquito net. Be Sceptical (Think Before You Click): Do not click on suspicious links in emails or messages. Do not download files from untrusted websites. If an offer seems too good to be true (e.g., "You've won GHS 5,000!"), it is almost always a scam. Use Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): This adds an extra layer of security. After entering your password, you also have to enter a code sent to your phone. Many services like Gmail and Facebook offer this.