COMPUTING
FUNDAMENTALS
LESSON 3: COMPUTER PROTECTION
I CAN STATEMENTS
• Identify the importance of protecting computer
hardware from theft or damage.
• Identify factors that can cause damage to
computer hardware or media (e.g. environmental
factors, magnetic fields, etc.)
• Identify how to protect computer hardware from
fluctuations in the power supply, power outages,
and other electrical issues (such as of computers on
different electrical systems).
• Identify common problems associated with
computer hardware.
PROTECTING COMPUTER HARDWARE
FROM THEFT AND DAMAGE
• Theft of and damage to computer
equipment is a serious problem that many
businesses face
• Safeguards include:
• Physically secure equipment
• Use security locks
• Back up data regularly to a separate system
• Data theft – can occur when old systems are
discarded and the data is not deleted.
• Encryption – a secure process for keeping
confidential information private.
ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS
• Computers require the right balance of
physical and environmental conditions to
properly operate
• Prevent conditions through proper planning
and appropriate training
• Temperature: range of 68 to 75 degrees (optimal
for system reliability)
• Humidity: can cause computers to short circuit
(result in loss of data and damage to hardware)
• Water damage: Make sure it is completely dried
out before you restore the power.
ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS
• Prevent conditions (continued)
• Magnetic Fields and Static Electricity: A single
spark from static electricity can damage the
internal electronics of a computer. Have
grounding protection.
• Maintaining Equipment: Cut down on repair
through monthly preventive maintenance.
Physical Damage: Prevent damage to portable
computers due to physical shock by transporting
devices with care, such as in padded cases.
POWER LOSS AND
POWER FLUCTUATION ISSUES
• Prevent data loss due to power outages
• Secure electric cords to eliminate being
accidentally disconnected
• Install UPS (uninterruptible power supply).
• A UPS contains a battery that temporarily
provides power if the normal current is
interrupted.
• Protect from power spikes (short, fast
transfers of electrical voltage, current, or
energy) with a surge suppressor
HARDWARE ISSUES
• Crashed hard drive
• Caused by software corruption or hardware defects
• Overheated, dropped, shaken, worn out, infected
with virus
• Damaged media
• Can be scratched, warped, or physically damaged
• Flash drives: Unsafe removal, dust, lint, sun exposure
• Printer problems
• Paper jams
HARDWARE ISSUES
• Display problems
• The majority of the problems are caused by incorrect,
corrupted or missing video drivers.
• Inoperable hardware devices
• Could be a software, electrical, or mechanical
problem
• Loss of network or internet connectivity
• Cannot communicate or work effectively and can
result in poor network performance