Week 14 · Theme 2, Lessons 7–8 My Personal Digital Safety Plan; Practicing What You Learned · 3 lessons
2
Anti-virus and my safety plan
ICT P4 Term 1, Theme 2: pp. 70–77
GoalSay what a virus does, how anti-virus software helps, and write a safety plan.
New words
virus · a harmful program that can damage files or send messages by itselfanti-virus software · a program that finds and removes virusessafety plan · a list of rules that keep me safedevice · a machine such as a computer, tablet or phone
Explanation
A computer virus is a harmful program. It can send emails to everyone on a computer or delete files. Think of germs: some are harmless, but some make us ill, so we need protection. Anti-virus software is like a guard at the gate and a doctor together. A good one catches viruses before they harm a device, removes viruses that are already inside and repairs damaged files. Choose software that protects well and is easy to use. A grown-up installs it and keeps it up to date. Anti-virus is only one part of staying safe. A safety plan puts all the rules together: strong passwords, asking before downloading, leaving unsafe sites, keeping personal information private, and telling a trusted adult about anything strange.
A virus tries to get in→Anti-virus catches it→Anti-virus removes it→Anti-virus repairs damaged files
Worked examples
A school computer has anti-virus software. Omar brings a file from home. The software warns that the file has a virus. The teacher removes it. The virus was caught before it harmed the school’s files.
My safety plan
1 I use strong passwords
2 I ask before I download
3 I leave unsafe pages and tell a grown-up
4 I keep personal information private
5 I tell a trusted adult about strange things
Salma writes her safety plan on a card with five rules. She puts a tick next to each rule she already follows and a star next to the one she wants to practise more.
Some actions keep us safe and some do not. A strong password and anti-virus installed by a grown-up help. Downloading any file from a stranger does not.
Class activity
Logo and plan. First design a logo for pretend anti-virus software. Draw a shield or a guard, invent a name, and write two sentences saying why families should choose it (it catches, removes and repairs). Then write your own five-line safety plan on a card. Show it to a partner and add one rule you liked from theirs.
Practice
1
Name two things a virus can do.
It can send emails to everyone on a computer, and it can delete files.
2
Name three things good anti-virus software does.
It catches viruses, removes them and repairs damaged files.
3
Who installs anti-virus software on the family computer?
A grown-up.
4
Which rules belong in a safety plan? Say the letters.
