Issues and precautions related to ICT

Issues and precautions related to ICT

Physical Issues

Environmental factors
Your computer should be kept in a
• Dust free
• Dry (moisture free)
• Smoke free environment
Hardware protection
Your computer should be equipped with
• A UPS (Uninterrupted Power Supplier) to avoid risk of sudden power failure and fluctuations.
• Surge protection to protect against lightning and thunder.
• Stabilizer to control voltage.
Logical security
The software and the data in your computer can be protected through the use of
• Password
• Backups
Malicious codes
A common misconception is that other kinds of electronic nasties such as worms and Trojan horse applications are viruses.
Viruses, worms and Trojan horse belong to a broader category called “malicious codes”.
Virus
A program or piece of code that is loaded onto your computer without your knowledge and runs against your wishes. Like any other program, it contains instructions that tell your computer what to do.
• Viruses can also replicate themselves.
• All computer viruses are man made.
• A simple virus that can make a copy of itself over again is relatively easy to produce.
• A virus can be destructive; it could format your hard drive, overwrite your hard drive boot sector or delete files and render your machine inoperative.
• Even such a simple virus is dangerous because it will quickly use all available memory and bring the system to a halt.
• An even more dangerous type of virus is one capable of transmitting itself across networks and bypassing security systems.

How do viruses invade a machine?
• E-mail or an e-mail attachment
• Downloads
• Shared infected floppy disks
• Hacking (Occasionally)
Combating Viruses, Worms and Trojan Horses
The first step to protecting your computer is to ensure your operating system (OS) is up-to-date. This is essential if you are running Microsoft Windows OS.
Secondly, you should have anti-virus software installed on your system and ensure you download updates frequently to ensure your software has the latest fixes for new viruses, worms and Trojan horses. Additionally, you want to make sure your anti-virus program has the capability to scan e-mail and files as they are down loaded from the Internet. This will help prevent malicious programs from even reaching your computer. You should also install a firewall as well.
Antivirus Software
Antivirus software can detect nearly all types of known viruses, but it must be updated regularly to maintain effectiveness.
Firewall
A firewall is a system that prevents unauthorized use and access to your computer.
A firewall can be either hardware or software.
Hardware firewalls provide a strong degree of protection from most forms of attack from the outside world can be purchased as a stand alone product or in broadband routers.
For individual home users, the most popular firewall choice is a software firewall

Key terms to Understanding Computer Viruses.

Virus
A program or piece of code that is loaded onto your computer without your knowledge and runs against your wishes.
Trojan Horse
A destructive program that masquerades as a benign application. Unlike viruses, Trojan horses do not replicate themselves.
Worm
A program or algorithm that replicates itself over a computer network and usually performs malicious actions.
Blended program
Blended threats combine the characteristics of viruses, worms, Trojan Gorses and malicious code with server and Internet vulnerabilities.
Antivirus program
A utility that searches a hard disk for viruses and removes any those are found.

Health and safety issues inherent in ICT

Health and safety issues inherent in ICT
Using a computer can affect different parts of your body, like your fingers, hands, wrists, arms, shoulders, neck, back, and eyes. While computers look safe enough, there are some dangers that are good to know about, and you will want to avoid them as much as possible. Read on for some hints on staying healthy at the computer.
Repetitive Stress Injuries
Bodies
• If you have to use unsuitable chairs and desks for computing, you may be uncomfortable sitting and have awkward arm and head positions.
• There are some things you can do to feel more comfortable and protect your body at the same time. Let us see what can go wrong and how we can fix it!
Sitting
• Your body does not move much when using the computer, so you want to make sure you are sitting comfortably in your chair. Fitting the Chair to You

• Pillows, pads, boxes, and big books can be used to help make the chair fit you better. If your feet don't reach the floor, use a footrest, or ask if you can stack up some thick books or a box under your feet.
• Pillows and pads can take up all that extra seat room. This way you have something to lean back against and your feet to rest on.

Fitting the Chair to the Computer
• If you have a chair that fits you, but the computer is on a table that is too high, pillows and pads can also be used to help you sit higher if you need to. If that does not work, try a larger chair or maybe a smaller computer table can be found.
• The computer keyboard should be about as high as your belly -- not chest or shoulder height where you have to reach up to use it. Your arms, shoulder, and neck can get sore fast if the keyboard is too high for you!
Perfect Fit!
• If you don't have any of the problems above, you may be one of the lucky one that actually have a chair and computer table that fits!

Computer Slump
• Even with the perfect chair and computer table, you need to remember to lean back in your chair and rest on the backrest when you are typing. Don't slouch or lean forward, as this is bad on your back! Get into the habit of keeping a good back posture now and you will be happy for a long time.
• But this is not the only thing you need to watch . . .
Keyboarding
• When your use the keyboard, keep it close in front of you. Don't put it so far back that you need to reach forward to use it.
Straight Shot
• Try to keep your wrists straight and level with your lower arms while you type. Avoid bending your wrists too much as it makes it harder for your fingers to work and could hurt your wrist over time. Some kids like wrist rests in front of keyboards to help keep their wrists straight, but don't rest on them while typing.

Natural Curve
• Your fingers have a natural curve, like a rainbow or waterfall. Allow your fingers to keep their curve as you type -- don't stretch and flatten them too much while typing.

Home Stretch
• If you know how to rest on the home row and touch type, remember to move the whole hand to reach far-away keys . . . don't make your fingers stretch too far from home. Sometimes keyboards are too big for small fingers, move the hand to the keys and keep your fingers happy.
Thor's Hammer vs. Butterfly Dance
• Type lightly. You don't need to pound on the keys like thunder . . . a light touch will work fine -- think of your fingers as butterflies dancing on the keys.


Mousing
• Almost all computers have mice now. They are nice to point with and move things around on the computer, but you need to watch how you use them -- otherwise they might turn around and bite you.
Squeeze Play
• Some people like to hold the mouse tightly. However, like hitting keyboard keys too hard, it is not a good idea. Use a light touch on the mouse while holding it as well as clicking its button(s). Too much force on the mouse tires the hands and arms using it -- a form of mouse bite!
• Computer mice may be too big for hands. You might try looking for a smaller mouse or use a trackball that does not need to be held, and you can also use several fingers at once to move the ball.
Straight Shot
• Like when using the keyboard, try to keep your wrists straight and level while mousing around!
• Wrist rests can be helpful here as well. Many mouse pads come with built-in wrist rests to help keep straight wrists.

Eye Strains
Left, Right, High, Low . . . Where does the Monitor Go?
• The computer monitor (screen) should be right in front of you and a little lower than your eyes. By having the monitor off to the side or too high or low, you can end up being a real headache . . . not to mention that the neck and shoulders will surely hurt as well.
• Remember that where the eyes go, the body follows. If you have to look to the side, up, or down, then your head and neck turn as well. Having the monitor too low can also cause you to slump in your chair as well.
• Sometimes the monitor sits on the computer case, so by moving the computer case to the side, the monitor can be lowered. If you need to raise the monitor, a few books underneath it will usually do the trick. There is also the option of adjusting yourself -- maybe you can adjust the height of your chair until you are in the right place.

Blinding Light
• Windows and indoor lights can make it harder to use computer monitors. It is hard on the eyes to try to adapt to see the monitor when there is a bright light that can also be seen at the same time (direct glare). There should be about the same amount of light coming from the screen and the area you can see around the computer monitor. Moving the computer so that windows and lights are not in front of you, or putting a shade over windows and lights, can help to avoid this problem.


Washout
• Another problem with light is that it can come from behind you and bounce off of the computer screen (indirect glare). When this happens it becomes harder to read what is on the screen. Moving the light or the computer may also be possible to solve the problem. Otherwise, a monitor hood or glare screen may be needed.
Break Away
• Time can pass very fast when you are at the computer, or playing video games. It is important to do lots of different things during the day. Our bodies are not intended to hit keyboard, mice, and game controller keys for hours straight. Take a break and get away from the computer about every 30 minutes or so -- whether or not you feel an ache or pain. And if you do feel an ache or pain, that's a sure clue that you need to stop for a little while! Make sure to listen to your body's signals . . . it may be a cry for help!
Get up and move around for a few minutes, some ideas are:
• Take a quick walk around the house or apartment
• Call a friend and see how her work on the computer is going
• If you're hungry, grab a snack to give you some energy
• Anything you do is OK, as long as it gets you to rest the muscles you've been using and use the muscles you've been resting.
• Pay special attention to your eyes, too: if they hurt or your eyelids twitch, you should stop for a bit. Looking away from the monitor every once in a while and focusing on something far away for a few seconds or blinking eyes frequently should give your eye muscles enough of a workout to keep them feeling OK.
Real World
• Cyberspace and other computer uses can be educational and fun, but nothing compares to adventures and activities in the "real world". Don't get lost in cyberspace . . . get out and explore the world around you.


Health
• Eating good food and exercise are great ways to stay healthy. The healthier you are and the more you vary your activities throughout the day will help in avoiding problems from using the computer.
• Taking care of your body while at the computer means you'll feel better - and be able to work and play better.

What is the Digital Divide?

What is the Digital Divide?
The Digital Divide is most commonly defined as the gap between those individuals and communities that have, and those that do not have, access to the information technologies that are transforming our lives.
Simply speaking; Digital Divide refers to the inequality in access to information technology, including computers, Internet and other digital equipments. Those who have access to and have the ability to use digital information easily are referred to as the “haves”, while the others are the “have-nots”.

Bridging the Digital Divide

Raise awareness of the issue in the community
“Together we are better”. A united effort is needed to bridge the Digital Divide. Get empowered with knowledge so you can educate and rally your peers to bridge the gap.

Donate used computers to schools
Second-hand computers can be donated to organizations, which in turn distribute them to schools in need.

Build websites for specific social groups
Lack of Websites of interest discourages users from minor social groups to use information technology. By building Websites of interest targeting these at hese users, you can help to bridge the content gap.

Use IT in teaching
There is a significant shortage of teachers with IT literacy who can enrich the students’ learning experience with modern technology.

Building Computer Skills of Low-Income People.

Techno-rich employment opportunities
With the development of Information and Communication Technology lot of new employment opportunities have surfaced. Some of them are,

1. Data entry operator
2. Computer operator
3. Programmer
4. Software developer
5. System analyst
6. Software engineer
7. Hardware engineer
8. Network administrator
9. IT manager
10. Web developer
11. Desktop publishing
12. Computer applications assistant

The new technological employment advance has become a threat to talented person’s jobs. For example a creative artist loes his job because of the modern features available in desktop publishing. So this issue should be solved.