Week 13: Clear

During week 13 we discussed computer security, ethics and privacy.


After completion of this topic, I was able to:

• Identify computer security risks.
• Identify ways to protect computers and data.
• Discuss information theft and piracy as well as how to identify and avoid them.
• Be aware of ethical standards and practices.
• Understand how to protect information.

The information provided this week was straight forward and left no room for confusion. In researching outside information and news articles for this topic, I came a cross an article about anti-virus software scams.

Anti-virus software scams are putting millions of people at risk by posing as legitimate anti-virus software when in actuality fraudsters are advertising malicious software, known as ‘scareware’, in disguise.

The goal of these fraudsters is to obtain the victims credit card information or compromise their computer for other illegal activity, such as identity fraud.

To read the article in entirety, visit this link:  Anti-virus software scams put millions at risk of identity fraud


Here are some sure ways of protecting yourself from computer viruses:

1. Never open a file attachment sent to you from an unknown source. In most cases, the safest thing to do is delete them as soon as you see them in your mailbox.

2. Understand that patches and updates for programs are rarely distributed by email. (Microsoft and other reputable companies use other means, which are more secure.)

3. Never open a file unless you know what it is. If you've received it from someone you know, ask him or her about it. (They may have a virus infection that is mailing out copies of itself without their knowledge.)

4. Files containing virus content are always sent disguised in some way. For example, the message may say a screensaver, bill or invoice is attached.

5. Users of Outlook and Outlook Express should disable the Preview Pane. A recent virus was thought (but not proven) to infect simply by being displayed in Outlook Express. It is be safer to avoid any risk!

Week 12: Clear

In class this week, we had an introduction into computer communications and the components required for successful communications.

After completing the lesson we should have been able to do the following:

• Discuss the components required for successful communications
• Identify various sending and receiving devices
• Describe uses of computer communications
• List advantages of using a network
• Differentiate among client/server, peer-to-peer, and P2P networks
• Describe the various network communications standards
• Explain the purpose of communications software
• Describe various types of lines for communications over the telephone network
• Describe commonly used communications devices
• Discuss different ways to set up a home network
• Identify various physical and wireless transmission media 

This weeks information was neither unclear nor complex.  I will explain one of the concepts that I understood very well.

Setting up a home network might seem daunting or intimidating. But in reality the concept actually sounds worst than it is.

Once you know what type of network you want and have the necessary hardware, there are four possible steps to take (two of these are not always required):

1. Install any necessary hardware.
2. Set up an Internet connection (optional).
3. Connect the computers.
4. Run the Set Up a Wireless Router or Access Point wizard (wireless only).

Start by setting up one computer. Once you set up the network and you are sure that the first computer is working correctly, you can add additional computers or devices.

Week 9: Clear

This weeks lesson was about the Internet and the Worldwide Web, how it works and what can be done with it.

According the lectures, the Internet is a world-wide network of networks connecting businesses, government agencies, educational institutions and individuals.

There are two main ways to connect to the Internet. The methods of connecting to the internet include: Dial-up access (which I remember using in elementary school on my Toshiba desktop computer) and High-speed/Broadband access.

To get internet you must go through something known as access providers. According the the lecture, and access provider is a business that provides individuals and businesses with access to the Internet for a fee.

Moving on to the Web. The lecture states that the Web is where you search for and use information. Individuals can also share and view media files on the Web.

The Internet has grown significantly since it began more than 30 years ago. It is now used in a wide variety of ways and provides individuals with endless opportunities to browse and connect with people from around the world.

Below is a great video giving numbers and statistics of the state of the Internet:

The State of the Internet

Week 7: Clear

This week we learned about presentations. After completing the necessary reading and presentations we were suppose to succesfully be able to do the following:

• identify elements of effective presentations in a multiple-choice quiz
• recall principles of storyboarding, visualizing information, layout principles and making presentation ideas stick in a multiple-choice quiz
• select an appropriate topic for presentation based on a given set of criteria
• practice and apply correct principles of developing effective presentations
• critique your own presentation and peer presentations based on a set of given criteria for effective presentations

As a public relations student, it is very important to understand the concepts of effective presenting. In doing research to explain the concepts behind great presentations, I came across this video: Effective Presentation.

It highlights the ways in which a someone should go about giving a great presentation and getting others to clearly and efectively understand their concepts.

Sometime's it can be scary or even intimidating for some people to do presentations, but it takes time to practice this craft and become a great presenter of a concept. Nothing happends overnight. Practice and patience are the key elements to mastering this craft.

Week 3: Clear

USB Flash drive


The one part of the storage lecture that I understood clearly was the USB flash drives. I have been using a USB for storage since high school. In doing more research on USB’s I read that they were first launched almost ten years ago.


USB flash drives have essentially revolutionized the way we transfer files in-between computers. What I like most about flash drives is the speed. The fastest flash drive currently on the market is a USB 2.0. This flash drive is able to reach speeds of up to 34 and 28 megabytes per second respectively. A faster flash drive means less time waiting to transfer flies.


Currently everyone in the flash drive world is really looking forward to the USB 3.0. The manufacture Super Talent has already released three USB drives that takes advantage of the new faster interface.


According to an article by the Web site “everything USB,” another big development with flash drives is how hardware encryption is becoming more of a commodity than a luxury.


I love using USB’s. They are small, convenient and easy to use. I love that it’s the market for USB’s is expanding and becoming more accessible for everyone to use.

Watch this video about the new USB flash drive

Week 1: Clear

After reading the required sections for the first week of class one concept was very clear to me. 

The concept of netiquette was something foreign to me, but after I read the section on E-learning I became very familiar with the concept. 

Essentially, netiquette is a set of social conventions that facilitate interaction over networks, ranging from Usenet and mailing lists to blogs and forums. 

It is often times seen as the Golden Rule of the Internet. As the reading stated on E-learning, with millions of people on the Internet at any given time, it is critical for individuals to "play nice." 

Some of the netiquette rules and guidelines include:

• Don't use all capital letters--it is seen as shouting
• Be conservative in what you send and liberal in what you receive. You should not send heated messages
• Use smileys to indicate tone of voice, but use them sparingly. :-) is an example of a smiley  
• If you know the answer to a question being asked, answer it
• Always check your facts before sending an e-mail of message

Netiquette is important in the business environment because to be effective communicators we must strive to work proficiently with others, and we can only do so by developing and maintaining a certain level of trust and credibility with our online presence. 

In searching Google for a web page that explains the concept of netiquette clearly and effectively I came across this site ( Netiquette .) 

The site has a video that uses simple terms and entertainment to really drive home the concept of what netiquette really is.

It provides useful tips on what you should and should not do on the Web to have a positive, strong presence.