What type of security issues should be aware of in ICT?
- Bluejacking: process of sending unwanted messages to open bluetooth connections.
- Physical Threats: such as theft, flooding, fire and accidental damage
- Hackers: try to get access to data without permission
- Phishing: ‘cons’ people into believing that an email or text is from a valid organisation so that they give away their username and passwords leading to identity theft
- Unsecured wireless networks: let other users easily see and use your wireless network
- Storing passwords and other important information in cookies makes it easier for others to gain access to your accounts.
- Viruses: designed to be harmful to digital devices and to spread easily over networks
An online shop stores customers’ details on a computer. The computer is in a locked room and uses a firewall. Explain one other way of preventing unauthorised users from reading the data in the database.
It could encrypt the data so that it could only be read by people with the encryption key.
State two ways people may use ICT to monitor your location.
- Mobile phone location
- Loyalty cards - where we shop
- Credit / Debit cards - where we use ATM machines
- Passports
- GPS tracking
State two ways in which people may track your communications.
- SMS message
- Emails
- Social Networking
- Microblogging messages
- Playing online games
- Taking part in virtual worlds
State two ways you can prevent RSI when playing games.
- Take regular breaks
- Use ergonomically designed equipment
Describe one positive effect of ICT on an individual’s health and safety.
Positives
- Exercises at home using games such as the Wii can improve physical fitness
- Health and fitness monitoring is made more accurate
- Mobile phones can help us keep sage by always being able to contact others
- GPS technology can help us to find our location and guide us along routes.
Describe one negative effect of ICT on an individual’s health and saftey.
Negatives
- ICT can contribute to obesity due to inactivity
- People can always access their work, even on holiday or in the evening, so can become ill or stressed as they feel they are unable to stop working.
- Repetitive strain injuries can develop from doing the same thing again and again
- Joint pain can result from sitting incorrectly for a long time.
- Eye strain can be caused by staring at a screen for a long time
- Accidents can be caused by people using mobile phones whilst driving
- Hand-held GPS devices have resulted in accidents for mountain walkers
What is the digital divide?
Unequal access to ICT for individuals or groups, usaually due to financial, geographic, health or cultural reasons.
Explain how networks have changed the way information can be published.
Networks connect us with the rest of society. That means that individuals can publish their own work directly onto the Internet in the form of their own blog or onto a wiki, for example Wikipedia. Books are also published digitally for download onto digital devices, and newspapers and magazines often have web versions which may be free or subscription based. Digital version of books and newspapers and so on are increasing in popularity, whilst the printed equivalents are declining. This is because digital versions are more portable, regularly updated and sometimes free.
Which legislation requires ISPs to take action against peole who illegally download media?
Digital Economy Act - This law protects copyright holders from criminals who illegally distribute copyrighted material (piracy).
What is the data protection act?
This law regulates how personal ifnormation is used and protects against misuse of personal details
What is the computer misuse act?
This law restricts people from accessing or modigying data without permission.
What is the copyright, designs and patents act?
This law protects people’s original work from being used without their permission.
State two causes of unequal access to ICT.
- Affordability - people cannot afford more recent technology
- Lack of knowledge and skills - this prevents people using ICT as they don’t know how to use it
- Cultural factors - gender inequalities and religious beliefs can restict access
- People living in remote areas - may not have access to Internet or mobile phone coverage
- Disability or illness - this can make it difficult for people to get access to ICT
What responsible practice should you follow to keep safe?
- Keep the room well ventilated as computer equipment emits heat
- Fit smoke detectors and fire extinguishers and do not overload electical sockets as digital devices can overheat and become a fire hazard.
- Keep food and drink away from equipment as split drinks can cause an electirc shock or damage the computer
- Keep the room wll lit and take regular screen breaks as the use of computer equipment can cause eye strain
- Use ergonomically-designed equipment and take breaks or change position regularly as the incorrect use and positioning of equipment can cause health problems
- Keep the computer and work surfaces clean as harmful bacteria can live on surfaces.
What sustainability issues are there related to ICT?
- E-waste
- Pollution
- Finite resources
How can you increas sustainability?
- Recycle
- Reduce your impact - switch them off when not in use and use the sleep mode
- Renewable energy
Debbie’s computer is running slowly and she wants to replace it with a new one.
Explain why Debbie should not just throw her old computer in the bin.
If she throws it in the dustbin, it will end up in landfill, which can result in toxis chemicals leaking into nearby soil and water
What is the EU Cookie Law?
The Cookie Law is a piece of privacy legislation that requires websites to get consent from visitors to store or retrieve any information on a computer, smartphone or tablet.
It was designed to protect online privacy, by making consumers aware of how information about them is collected and used online, and give them a choice to allow it or not.
What is net neutrality?
Net neutrality is the principle that ISPs and governments should treat all internet content/traffic equally.
Not doing so can lead to content/traffic ‘shaping’, which is the term used to describe how, for example, ISPs could give preferential treatment to different kinds of internet traffic, such as their own video-on-demand service. This ensures an acceptable experience of that content for customers at the expense of the speed of some other services.
