ITC SKILLS

Session 1: Basic Computer Operations

What is ICT?

ICT stands for Information and Communication Technology. ICT refers to all the methods, tools,
concepts related to storing, recording and sending digital information.

Computer Hardware and Software

A computer system consists of two main parts the hardware and the software. The physical
parts that we can see and touch are called hardware. The another important part is known as
software which we can see but we cannot touch it.

Operating System

The key software in a computer is the Operating System (OS). It begins running when we turn
on the computer, showing the desktop. Common OS for computers include Ubuntu, Microsoft
Windows, and Mac OS.

Some of the functions of Operating system are:

The different types of operating systems are as follows:

● Manages computer hardware and software resources

● Provides an interface between user and computer hardware

● Enables communication between user and computer

● Performs memory management

● Manages processes and scheduling

● Handles file management

● Provides security and access control

● Facilitates networking and communication

● Enables device and driver management

● Supports user interfaces and applications

Types of Operating Systems
The different types of operating systems are as follows:
 ● Interactive (GUI-based) - An operating system that is user- friendly has a graphical user
interface where commands can be entered by clicking, double-clicking, or right-clicking
the mouse. Windows is the example of Interactive Operating System.

● Single-user, single-task operating system - This kind of operating system only permits
one person to use the computer at a time for one job.

● Single-user, multi-task operating system - This kind of operating system is used on

desktop and laptop computers, which allow one user to run multiple programmes
simultaneously. Examples of single- user multitask operating systems are Windows and
Apple MacOS.

● Multi-user - A multi-user operating system enables multiple users to work on the same
computer at different times or simultaneously.

● Real Time - A computing environment that responds to input within a specific period of
time. is known as a real-time operating system. It controls the computer's resources so
that each operation is completed in exactly the same amount of time each time. Real-
time operating systems include Lynx OS and Windows CE
.
● Distributed - A distributed operating system runs on a set of computers that are
interconnected by a network. It combines the different computers in the network into a
single integrated computer and storage location. Windows, UNIX, and LINUX are
examples of distributed operating systems.

Menu, icons, and task bar on the Desktop

The components of Windows are as follows -

Taskbar - The long horizontal bar at the bottom of the screen is called the taskbar. The
Start button is located to the left of the Taskbar, and Date/Time is located to the right. On
the Taskbar, you can also see icons for open programmes and a few shortcuts.

Start button - It is located on the left of the taskbar. Clicking the Start button opens the
Start menu and provides access to programs and features.

Recycle Bin - The user's deleted files and folders are kept in the Recycle Bin. You can
restore accidentally deleted files or folders from the recycle bin.

Session 2: Performing Basic File Operations

Creating and managing files and folders

Files - Every single thing you keep on your computer is kept as a file. A file system is a
method for
naming, storing, and retrieving files.

Creating File

1. Right-click anywhere in the blank area of the right-column.

2. In the Shortcut menu, click New and select the type of the file you want to create.
 Renaming folders and files

1. Right-click the file or the folder.

2. From the shortcut menu, select Rename option.

3. Type the new name or edit the existing name and press the Enter key
4. Or Just select the file/folder and press Function key F2.

5. Right-click anywhere in the blank area of the right-column.

6. In the Shortcut menu, click New and select the type of the file you want to create.

Folder - Folders and directories are groups which contain single of multiple files. There
may be
related files and/or subfolders in each directory and folder. One or more files and other
sub-folders
may be located inside a sub-folder. This makes files easily accessible.

Creating Folder

1. Double-click the Computer icon.

2. Select the drive in which you want to create a new folder. Say, Local Disk D:.

3. Window will open up showing files and folders in Local Disc D:

4. Click New Folder on the toolbar

5. A new folder is created with name New Folder highlighted.

6. Type a name for the folder Creating a file

Renaming folders and files

1. Right-click the file or the folder.

2. From the shortcut menu, select Rename option.

3. Type the new name or edit the existing name and press the Enter key.

4. Or Just select the file/folder and press Function key F2.

Deleting files or folders

1. Click the file or the folder.

2. Press the Delete key.

3. Or Right-click and select Delete option from the Shortcut menu.

 Session 3: Computer Care and Maintenance

Apply Basic Skills for Care and Maintenance of Computer

Computer systems require maintenance in order to function properly. System failure may
result
from poor maintenance. You may be able to keep it in good working order by giving it
routine care
and maintenance.Installing updates, security, creating backups, and scanning are all part
of routine system maintenance.
To keep the computer system's maintained you should follow the following activity -

1. Keep the computer dust free.

2. Do not eat or drink while working on the computer. Food or drink may spill on the
system.

3. To keep the keyboard clean, make sure your hands are clean before using it.

4. CDs and DVDs should be handled carefully so that it does not get any scratches.

5. Keep the keyboard covered when not in use.

Cleaning the Computer Components

Computer components need proper care to last longer. Preventive maintenance

increases the life
of the components.

➔ General precautions to be taken while cleaning the computer components are:

➔ Always Power Off the computer system before cleaning

➔ Never spray cleaning fluid directly on the component of the computer. First spray the
liquid on the cloth and then wipe the component.

➔ Do not allow the cleaning liquid to drip near the circuit board.

➔ Preferably use an anti-static wrist band which helps to prevent building up of static
electricity near electronic devices.

Computer monitor

To clean the computer monitor, you can use a soft lint-free cloth, like cotton and water or
special cleaning liquid. You should not spray water or cleaning liquid directly on the computer
monitor as it may run through the seams.
Keyboard
The keyboard might be harmed by dirt and dust. If dirt gets inside the keyboard's keys,
the keys could not work properly. Every now and then, move the keyboard while holding it
upside-down to clean it.
 Optical Mouse
With a clean, lint-free cloth, you can clean the optical mouse's bottom. Air or a cotton
swab can be used to clean the lens region.
Digital camera
Never touch the camera's lens. You can use a soft lens brush or a soft, dry cloth to
remove the dust. You can use a special lens cleaning solution to remove tenacious dust, but first
you should apply it to a tissue before wiping the lens. Never spray fluid over the lens directly.
CDs and DVDs
Keep CD/DVD in proper case to prevent damage. If there is some dirt on the CD or DVD,
it may not work at all. Finger prints and dirt can be removed by lightly rubbing with a clean
lint-free cotton cloth.

Preparing maintenance schedule

Regular maintenance of the computer system is very important.

Some of the maintenance activities are:

Keep the components of the computer, like keyboard, mouse, monitor, etc. clean.

Replace hardware that is not functioning properly

Keep food items away from the computer

Cables and chords should not be messed up

Removing unauthorized software

from the computer

Take regular backup of the data

Ensure backups are working properly by periodically restoring or checking of data. You
should use external hard drive for backup of data on your computer.

➔ Run anti-virus periodically

➔ Keep anti-virus software up to date

➔ Do not overcharge the batteries

➔ Do not block the vents

➔ Always shut down the computer properly

➔ Keep the components of the computer, like keyboard, mouse, monitor, etc. clean.

➔ Replace hardware that is not functioning properly

➔ Keep food items away from the computer

➔ Cables and chords should not be messed up

➔ Removing unauthorized software

➔ from the computer

➔ Take regular backup of the data

➔ Ensure backups are working properly by periodically restoring or checking of data. You
should use external hard drive for backup of data on your computer.

➔ Run anti-virus periodically

➔ Keep anti-virus software up to date

➔ Do not overcharge the batteries

➔ Do not block the vents

➔ Always shut down the computer properly

Session 4: Computer Security and Privacy

Protecting Computer against Viruses

An Illegal programme known as a computer virus attaches to other programmes and

modifies their behaviour. A virus might or might not cause harm. Some viruses damage
computer programmes or delete data. Vital Information Resource Under Seize is
referred to as VIRUS.

A computer can get infected with virus in any of the following ways:

● Infected files

● Infected pen drives

● Infected CD-ROMS/DVD-ROMS

● Through infected file attachment of e-mails

A computer virus cannot do the following:

It cannot infect files on CD or DVD, if they are closed for writing.

It cannot infect computer hardware like, keyboard, mouse, etc.

How do we know that our computer is infected with virus?

● Computer runs very slow

● There is change in the file size

● Computer often stops responding

 ● There is an increase in number of files (unusual)

● Unusual error message appears on the screen

● Computer restarts on its own

Scanning and cleaning viruses and removing SPAM files, temporary files
and folders

● Install and use anti-virus software.

● Keep anti-virus software updated.

● Scan all the files that you download from the Internet

● Do not open e-mails of an unknown person/sender

● Don't allow any untrustworthy person to use your system.

● New use unknown pen drive/CD on your computer

● Never click on the windows that pop-up when you are surfing the Internet.

For an anti-virus program to be work effective do the following:

● It needs to run in the background at all times.

● Keep the anti-virus software updated so that it can recognize new viruses.

● Run full disk scans periodically.

Removing Temporary Files

When you use computer programmes, temporary files are created automatically. A TMP
file is also known as Temporary file and it is created in the Microsoft Windows and
Windows apps. Web browsers also create temporary files to store your browsing history.

1. Double-click Computer icon on the desktop.

2. The Computer Window opens.

3. Right-click Local Disk C: and select Properties option from the Shortcut menu

4. The Properties window opens. Click Disk Cleanup.

5. The Disk Cleanup for C: window appears

6. Click the Check box next to Temporary Files, Temporary Internet files, etc. that you
want to delete.
7. Click OK.

8. A confirmation message will appear

9. Click Delete Files.

10. Windows will delete all the temporary files on the computer.

Removing files of Temporary Folder

1. Press Windows button + R on the keyboard.

2 The Run dialog box appears.

3. Type %temp%

4. The Temp folder opens Click Ctrl + A to select all the files in the folder. Press Delete
key.

5. A message box appears. Click Yes to confirm.

Firewall

A computer firewall is a network security system, software, or programmable device that

monitors and regulates incoming and outgoing network traffic in accordance with
user-defined security rules.

Computers connected to a network, such as a LAN or the Internet, are more securely
protected by firewalls. Typically, a firewall creates a wall between a trusted internal
network and an unreliable external network, like the Internet. Each packet of data,
whether it is coming in or going out, is examined by the firewall, which then decides
whether it should be permitted to pass or stopped.

Cookies

When you visit an internet website, a user's computer stores a little file known as a
cookie on it. These files are used to store information personal to a given client and
website.

A cookie is sent by a website when you visit it and is saved on your computer in a file. A
cookie can only be read by the website that created it. This information cannot be
accessed by other servers.