Protecting information; about antivirus programs
Because information is valuable, there are attempts to steal, change or destroy it, so information must be protected. Over the Internet there can be unauthorised access, interception of data, viruses and fraud. A computer virus is a malicious program that copies itself and attaches to other files or programs. Types: file viruses (infect program files), boot viruses (start when the operating system loads), macro viruses (spread through macros in documents) and network viruses – worms (spread themselves through networks and email) and trojans (enter looking like a useful program and do hidden harm). Today there are also spyware (watches passwords) and ransomware (locks files by encryption and demands money). The Morris worm of 1988 disabled several thousand computers, a noticeable part of the Internet of that time. Protective measures: keep the operating system and programs updated; use a reliable antivirus or the system’s built-in protection; a firewall; download only from trusted sites; do not open unknown messages, links and flash drives; use strong, different passwords and, if possible, two-step verification; keep a backup of important files in another place; do not enter passwords or bank data on open Wi-Fi. Cryptography is the art of encrypting information; https uses such protection. Do not give personal data (full name, address, school, phone, password) to strangers online. If you meet fake news or material unsuitable for your age or harmful to you, do not trust it and tell an adult; checking the source is part of media literacy. If someone upsets or threatens you online, do not reply, save a screenshot and tell a trusted adult. Breaking into other people’s computers or creating viruses is against the law and is often punished.
“Safety knights”: the class splits into two teams. The teacher reads situations (a strange link, a password request, an unknown file, a hurtful message); teams choose the “right” or “risky” action and give the reason.