ICT Topic 6

Physical threats, e.g. theft, flooding, fire...

- Keep computers in locked rooms and back up data

Hackers, try to get access to data without permission

-Use firewalls, passwords and encrypt the info travelling across networks

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

-Secure wireless networks using a password and encypt data travelling over the network

Storing passwords and other important information in cookies makes it easier for others to gain access to your accounts.

-Know how to delete and manage cookies using options in your browser

Viruses, designed to be harmful to digital devices and to spread easily over networks

-Keep bluetooth switched off when not in use

Bluejacking, the process of sending unwanted messages to open Bluetooth connections

-Keep bluetooth switched off when not in use

-Make sure the latest updates are installed

-Use encryption

Identity theft, involves someone pretending to be another person by collecting information about their identity.

-Keep all personal information safe

People may post photographs online and add a tag to link names or other information with the photograph, an invasion of privacy.

-Educate friends about risks, express your preferences to them.

Search engines record information about your searches including location, IP address, the time you spend searching and the searches you made to help personalise your searches and display relevant online adverts. Make it easier for hackers to gain users' personal information.

-Sign out of relevant accounts, especially on public computers.

Social networking sites, keep track of all interactions and save them so they can be used later

- Know how to use privacy settings

- Be aware of the personal information you share online

Advantages

• Friendships can be built using social networking
• Easier to maintain contact with family/friends, especially with those who live far away
• Easier to access information
• Exercises at home using games, e.g. Wii- improves physical health
• Accurate health and fitness monitoring
• ICT skills can help us get paid better and more skilled jobs
• Mobile phones can keep us safe by always being able to contact others
• GPS technology can help us to find our location and guide us along routes

Disadvantages

• ICT can contribute to obesity due to inactivity
• People can always access their work, even at home- lead to illness, stressing
• Overuse of social networking sites and microblogging sites
• Repetitie strain injuries can develop from doing the same thing again and again
• Joint pain can result from sitting incorrectly for a long time
• Eye strains can be caused by staring at a screen for a long time
• The radio waves from mobile phones and base stations may affect health
• Accidents can be caused by people using mobile phones by driving

• Geolocation information, GPS enabled devices
• Mobile phone companies, can track your movements and know who we have been in contact with
• Your computer's IP address 
• Use of credit/ debit cards, allows banks  to know when, where and how much money is spent
• Companies providing email services, know who you send emails to
• Social networking sites store a rich source of information about our movements and communications
• Playing online games, means information about you and who you are playing with is monitored
• When we travel abroad our passports are monitored, our movements in and out of countries are monitored

The digital divide is the gap between people who do not have access to digital technology and those who do. People who do not have access to ICT are disadvantaged in many ways.

Causes of unequal access to ICT:

• Those on low income may not have access to digital technology
• Lack of skills and knowledge prevents people using ICT
• Gender inequalities and religious beliefs  can restrict access
• Poeple living in remote areas may not have access to Internet or mobile phone coverage
• More wealthy countries have better access to digital technology
• Countries without a reliable electrical supply have less access
• Some governments restrict and censor access to digital technology

•  People with good IT skills tend to get better paid jobs
• Internet gives people access to a wider range of goods and services
• Access to the Internet allows people to reserch products and get cheaper deals
• Internet has led to a rise in e-commerce and globalisation
• Countries without Internet access are developing slower
• Students who use computers tend to do better at school
• People with access to online courses can improve their skills and knowledge
• Students need the Internet to make the most of schools' personalised learning using VLEs
• Without social networking people find it harder to keep in touch

Computer equipment emits heat

• Keep the room well heated

Digital devices can overheat and become a fire hazard

• Fit smoke detectors and extinguishers
• Do not overload electrical supplies

Spilt drinks can cause electric shocks or damge your computer

• Keep drink away from equipment

Use of computer equipment can cause eye strain

• Keep the room well lit
• Take regular screen breaks

Incorrect use and positioning of equipment can cause health problems

• Use ergonomically-designed equipment
• Take breaks or change position regularly

Harmful bacteria can live on surfaces

• Keep the computer and work surfaces clean

• E-waste (goes to landfill sites) (more e-waste is going to less developed countries)
• Pollution (toxic substances get into soil and water supplies) (traditional generation of electricity can cause globlal warming)
• Finite resources (elements used to create digital devices are in short supply) (Electricty often comes from non-renewable resources, e.g fossil fuels)

How to increase sustainability

• Recycle/reuse digital devices
• Donate old digital devices
• Some people are now taking apart electronic waste and selling the parts
• Use digital devices for as long as possible
• Switch off digital devices when not in use
• Companies who run large servers are now locating  to locations with cheap sustainable electricity
• Technology companies are offering solar powered devices