Employability Skills II: Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Skills-II

Hello students, welcome to Kwickprep. You switch on a laptop and it simply works. But what makes it work, and how do you keep it safe from viruses and hackers? Today we learn operating systems, files and folders, computer care, and computer security.

The short form ICT means Information and Communication Technology. Information means facts and data, like your marks or a train timetable. Communication means sharing that information with others. Technology means the tools we use, like computers, mobile phones and the internet.

Every computer needs one special program first. An operating system is the main software that controls the whole computer. It sits between you and the hardware, which means the physical parts like the keyboard and screen. It loads first when you switch on the computer, and this starting process is called booting.

An operating system does five main jobs. It manages the processor, so music and typing can run at the same time. It manages memory, giving RAM to every open app. It manages files, so you can save and find them. It manages devices like printers, mice and speakers. And it protects the computer with user accounts and passwords.

Here are the operating systems you will meet most. Windows runs on most home and office laptops. MacOS runs on Apple computers. Linux is free and open source, which means anyone can see and change its code. Android runs on most smartphones in India. And iOS runs on iPhones.

Everything you save is stored as a file. A file is one saved piece of work, like a photo, a song or a document. A file name has two parts, like report dot docx, where docx is the extension that tells the file type. A folder is a container that keeps related files together. A folder can also hold other folders, like a cupboard with shelves.

There are a few basic things we do with files and folders. We create a new file or a new folder, usually with a right click. We open, rename and save files. We copy a file to keep it in two places, or move it to a new place. When we delete a file, it goes to the Recycle Bin or Trash first, so it can be restored.

A computer lasts longer with simple care. Keep food and drinks away, because one spill can ruin a keyboard. Clean the screen with a soft, dry cloth, never with water. Shut down properly and use a UPS where power cuts are common. Unplug the charger when the battery is full, as heat reduces battery life.

A computer also needs care on the inside. Install software updates, because they fix security holes. Use a trusted antivirus, which is a program that finds and removes harmful software. Delete files and apps you do not use, so the computer stays fast. And take a backup, which means an extra copy on a pen drive or in the cloud.

Malware means harmful software, and it comes in many forms. A virus attaches to files and damages them when the file is opened. A worm copies itself across a network without any help. A Trojan pretends to be a useful app but harms you once installed. Spyware secretly watches what you do and steals data. Phishing is a trick message, like a fake bank SMS asking for your password or OTP.

Pause and decide. You get an SMS saying your KYC has expired, click this link or your account will be blocked. Is it your bank, or is it phishing? It is phishing, because banks never ask you to share an OTP, PIN or password through a link.

Here is how to stay safe. Use a strong password that mixes letters, numbers and symbols, and not your birth date. Never share an OTP, PIN or password with anyone, even someone claiming to be from a bank. Shop and pay only on secure websites whose address starts with https. Always log out when you use a computer in a cyber cafe or lab. And keep the firewall on, because it blocks unwanted traffic from the internet.

Let us revise what we learned today. The operating system is the main software between the user and the hardware. Files have names and extensions, and folders group them. Keep the computer clean, updated, protected by antivirus and backed up. Watch out for viruses, worms, Trojans, spyware and phishing. And use strong passwords and never share your OTP.