A computer is safe when the machine, the data and the person using it are protected.
The idea
A virus is a program that copies itself and does harm, such as deleting files or slowing the machine. It often arrives in an email attachment, a downloaded file or a memory stick that was used on an infected machine. Antivirus software finds known viruses and should be kept current. It is not a guarantee. Do not open a file you were not expecting, even if it looks like it came from a friend.
A strong password is long and is not a name or a date someone could guess. Do not share it, and do not use the same password everywhere. Log out on a shared computer. Back up important files to a second place, so a broken disk or a virus does not destroy the only copy. Physical care matters too: do not eat over a keyboard, and shut the machine down properly rather than pulling the plug. Health matters as well. Look away from the screen now and then, and sit so your arms and back are comfortable.
What earns the marks
Name the risk and the precaution. "Use antivirus" needs the reason: to detect and remove viruses. A password answer should say what makes one hard to guess, not only "use a password". Backup means a second copy, not the same file saved again in the same folder under a new name on the same disk. That second copy should be somewhere else.
Practice questions
These are practice questions in the style of the paper, with a model answer and a mark scheme. They are not a promise of what your paper will ask.
1Question 1
4 marks
(a) What is a computer virus? (2 marks)
(b) State two ways a virus can get onto a computer. (2 marks)
Model answer
(a) A virus is a program that copies itself and causes harm, such as damaging files.
(b) It can arrive in an email attachment, or on a memory stick used in an infected computer.
Mark scheme
A program or software1 mark
Copies itself or causes harm to files or the system1 mark
One route, such as email attachments, downloads or removable disks1 mark
A second route, different from the first1 mark
2Question 2
3 marks
State two features of a strong password, and one thing you should never do with it. (3 marks)
Model answer
It should be long, and it should not be a name or a birth date. You should never tell it to another person.
Mark scheme
One feature, such as length or a mix of characters1 mark
A second feature, such as not using a name, a date or a common word1 mark
Do not share it, write it in public, or reuse it on every site. Any one of these1 mark
3Question 3
2 marks
Give one reason for keeping a backup of your school project, and say where the backup should not be stored. (2 marks)
Model answer
If the original is lost or damaged you still have a copy. The backup should not be only on the same disk as the original, because that disk can fail too.
Mark scheme
So the work can be recovered if the original is lost, deleted or damaged1 mark
Not only on the same disk or the same device as the original1 mark
Practise ICT with Kevin
More questions on this topic are inside GLearn, marked as you answer, with the reason written out. The first ones need no account.
It is a program that spreads itself and harms the computer or the files. It often arrives in an attachment, a download or a memory stick. Antivirus software helps, and so does refusing files you were not expecting.
What is a backup?+
A second copy of important files, kept somewhere other than the original disk. If the machine fails or a virus destroys the first copy, the backup is what you restore from. All BECE ICT past questions