Lesson 3

1. Lesson 3 Computer Protection

2. Safeguards: • Physically secure equipment • Use security locks and/or tabs • Attach alarms • Mark all equipment • Insure the equipment • Back up data to separate system Protecting Computer Hardware from Theft and Damage

3. Data is not easily replaced Protect Data with firewalls and intrusion detection devices Data thieves use remote software to access organization’s network to bypass security Data theft increasing due to four predominant factors: • Value of data stored on computers • Massive amounts of confidential and private data stored • Increased use of laptops and other mobile devices outside secure networks • Increased proficiency of data hackers and thieves Use data encryption to protect your data Data scrambled mathematically and with a password or password key Safeguarding Data

4. Data Backup: • Saved data can be corrupted or lost, so you need to backup your files regularly. • Save this data to a removable media or other independent storage that will allow you to restore data in case primary system becomes inaccessible • Backing up your file should be done on a priority basis = high priority 1st down to the lowest priority Safeguarding Data

5. Computers require a balance of physical and environmental conditions to work properly. Environmental Factors: • Temperature • Humidity • Water Damage • Magnetic Fields and Static Electricity • Physical Damage • Poor Maintenance Identifying Environmental Factors that Can Damage Computers

6. Temperature: • Temp range of 68-75 degrees optimal reliability • Do not put computer equipment in a room where temperatures will exceed 85 degrees • Separate thermostat can be used to monitor temp and humidity Identifying Environmental Factors that Can Damage Computers

7. Humidity: • High humidity can cause short circuits and cause components to rust • Factors to protect: • Optimal performance = relative humidity levels should be above 20 % and below the dew point • Humidity alarms • Some equipment have special humidity restrictions Identifying Environmental Factors that Can Damage Computers

8. Water Damage: • Newer model computers most likely will not get damaged provided their power is turned off before water starts to flow • Some computers contain a cutoff device that is triggered when it senses water • If computer gets wet, make sure it’s completely dried out before turning power back on to it • Storage devices and printouts can be damaged or destroyed by water Identifying Environmental Factors that Can Damage Computers

9. Magnetic Fields and Static Electricity: • Exists wherever an electrical current is flowing • Single spark can damage internal electronics • Use grounding protection when working on computers(example: grounded wrist strap) • Grounding prevents damaging do to static electrical spark • Computer rooms should have tile floors and/or antistatic carpet • Do not store any kind of storage media next to electrical fields Identifying Environmental Factors that Can Damage Computers

10. Physical Damage: • Make sure to arrange computer equipment so that it is stable and cannot be knocked over • Notebook computers more prone to wear and tear b/c they are portable. They are also more costly to repair than your typical desktop computer • Most portable computers are insulated with a shock absorbing material • Reduced chances of internal damage when dropped • Transport your device in a padded case Identifying Environmental Factors that Can Damage Computers

11. Poor Maintenance: • Poorly maintaining your computer can result in damages • To reduce this, create a monthly maintenance schedule to clean equipment and perform tasks to keep computers in good working order (example: virus/spyware scans, old file removal, disk defragging, cleaning mouse, check print cartridges, cable connections, dusting and cleaning computers/monitors, etc.) Identifying Environmental Factors that Can Damage Computers

12. Power failures can damage your computers and wipe out any data that has not been properly saved Safeguards: • Secure electrical cords to prevent accidental disconnects • Install surge suppressors/protectors into electrical outlets to prevent against power spikes • Install an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) • Range from basic to sophisticated models • Contains a battery to temporally provide power to your device in case of a power failure • Types: • SPS – Standby Power Systems monitors electrical power and switches to battery powered when it detects a problem • Online UPS – Online Uninterruptible Power Supply provide constant power to the device even when the system has electrical power Protecting Computers from Power Loss and Fluctuation

13. Computer equipment and data are subject to issues: • Failed or Crashed Hard Drive • Damaged Media • Printer Problems • Monitors Problems • General failure of newly installed devices • Loss of Network or Internet Connectivity Identifying Common Computer Hardware Problems

14. Crashed Hard Drive: • Generally caused by software corruption or hardware defects • Potential causes for an HD failure: • Overheating • Dropped or Shaken • Worn Out • Virus • Suggestions to evaluate your HD: • Use Boot Disk to see if HD is readable. If so back up data and reformat the HD • Diagnostic Software solutions can locate and recovery bad sectors • Data Recovery Service Identifying Common Computer Hardware Problems

15. Damaged Media: • Hard Drives are mechanical devices that have moving parts and eventually wear out and need to be replaced • CDs/DVDs can be scratched, warped, or physically damaged • Tapes can be harmed by electromagnetic fields • Flash drives can be damaged by unsafe removal from computer, dust, lint, sun exposure, shock, or force Identifying Common Computer Hardware Problems

16. Damaged Media (continued): • Although damaged, it may be possible to recover information from the media. How: • Move the damaged media to a secure environment • Inspect/Test media to determine type and damage • Type of damage determines how to safely try to recover information from the media • Water – Do not restart computer/device; can possibly cause a short in the device and/or media. To dry media out, place it in an airtight bag to keep media wet. Contaminants can cause loss of data • Fire – Leave media in case to be removed and opened by professional • Dropped/Physically Harmed – Do not restart the computer; the read/write heads, in the HD, could be damaged or out of alignment • Last option – locate a disaster data recovery company Identifying Common Computer Hardware Problems

17. Printer Problems: • Generally an easy fix • Paper Jam possibilities • Wrong type of paper • Wrinkled or torn paper • Rollers, that feed paper, are dirty, worn or damaged • Removing paper jams • Remove paper in direction/path of paper • Excess Ink/Toner on paper • Fuser assembly damaged and needs to be replaced • Toner cartridge defective/damaged and needs to be replaced • Toner spilled inside printer (cleanup with DRY cloth) • Faded Image • Toner Low • Print Density set too low • Economy Mode turned on Identifying Common Computer Hardware Problems

18. Display Problems: • Hardware for display consists of: • Monitor • Video Card • Usually caused by incorrect, corrupted or missing video drivers • Troubleshooting Options: • Check power cord and monitor cable to insure they are connected good • Verify that monitor is on and display setting are correct • Update video driver • Upgrade when you update your operating system • Go to video driver’s website to get latest update Identifying Common Computer Hardware Problems

19. Inoperable Hardware Devices: • Possible causes: • Software (incorrect installation) • Mechanical • Electrical • Driver Update • Power cord connections • Verify power to plug (circuit breaker not tripped) • Electrical strip/UPS/Surge protector are on and working properly Identifying Common Computer Hardware Problems

20. Loss of Network or Internet Connectivity • LANs and the Internet provide are valuable resource links • Intermittent Connectivity/Time-Outs result from: • Network provider’s system not working properly • Network adapters and switch ports do not match • Network adapter is incompatible with the motherboard or other hardware components Identifying Common Computer Hardware Problems

21. Loss of Network or Internet Connectivity (continued) • Troubleshooting Options: • Use DOS (Disk Operating System) “ping” command to test connectivity and isolate hardware problems • Verify any other computer using same network and switches are experiencing the same problem Identifying Common Computer Hardware Problems

22. Loss of Network or Internet Connectivity (continued) • Troubleshooting Options (continued): • If using router, restart router; if wireless, check for signal interference • Check computer’s network card/board and verify using correct settings • Try another network cable Identifying Common Computer Hardware Problems

23. 1) True or False? Losing sensitive and confidential information through theft or damage could have long-term consequences. Answer: True 2) True or False? Some insurance policies cover loss due to accidental damage, theft, vandalism, power surges, lightning strike, flood, fire, earthquake, and other natural disasters. Answer: True 3) __________ is a secure process for keeping confidential information private. Answer: Encryption QUICK QUIZZES

24. 4) True or False? Data theft can occur when older systems are discarded and the data is not completely deleted. Answer: True 5) True or False? Data is easily replaced. Answer: False. Hardware can be replaced. Data is not easily replaced. 6) Excessive __________ can cause components to rust. A. temperature C. humidity B. static electricity D. magnetic fields Answer: C QUICK QUIZZES

25. 7) True or False? You should not operate computer equipment in a room where the temperature exceeds 85 degrees. Answer: True 8) True or False? It is okay to store magnets directly on a computer. Answer: False. Do not store magnets directly on a computer. 9) True or False? Desktop computers are more prone to physical wear and tear than notebook computers. Answer: False. Notebook computers are more prone to physical wear and tear because they are portable. QUICK QUIZZES

26. 10) True or False? Surge suppressors wear out over time. Answer: True 11) True or False? Surge suppressors are short, fast transfers of electrical voltage, current, or energy that can damage computer hardware and software. Answer: False. Power spikes are short, fast transfers of electrical voltage, current, or energy that can damage computer hardware and software. 12) True or False? Hard drives can stop working if they are infected with a virus. Answer: True QUICK QUIZZES

27. 13) True or False? Hard disks and other media eventually fail. Answer: True 14) True or False? Pulling the paper backward out of a printer can damage the printer. Answer: True 15) A small program called a __________ instructs the operating system on how to operate specific hardware. Answer: driver 16) The DOS __________ command is used to test connectivity and isolate hardware problems and any mismatched configurations. Answer: ping QUICK QUIZZES