Web Dropin #2:
Protecting Yourself Against
Computer Viruses
Ashley
S. Moss-Pham
Introduction: Computer viruses can be a relatively minor
inconvenience or they can be catastrophic – wiping out your hard drive
and, with it, all of the papers you have ever written; resumes you have
created; college application essays you have drafted, and photographs of
friends, family and good times that can never be replaced. Because of their
potential destructiveness, it’s a good idea to know about and take
precautions against this cyber enemy. This quick and easy activity will teach
you the basics: 1) what kinds of viruses are out there; and 2) what you can do
to protect yourself against them.
Process: Visit the
websites recommended below and read about the following information: 1) what types of viruses exist and how
prevalent they are;
2) how to verify the existence of a virus that someone else warns
you about via e-mail, and 3) how to protect yourself from computer and e-mail
viruses.
Website: For
Background Information & Definitions
How Stuff Works: How Computer Viruses
Work
http://computer.howstuffworks.com/virus.htm
Wikipedia – The Free Encyclopedia
Computer
Virus
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_virus
Sites that Enable You to Check on
Viruses
McAfee
Virus Information Library
Activity: Construct a simple chart (Use Table in Word) in which
you: 1) identify and define the various types of computer viruses that exist,
and 2) list 8 – 10 tips which, if followed faithfully, will protect your
computer, important documents and photographs from harm.
To
make it more interesting, here is an incentive for the best student-generated
chart on computer viruses and tips to avoid them: the student who produces the best chart
will receive credit for 2-5 Student Service Learning (SSL) hours, depending
upon the amount of time he/she reports spending on the project. The best
student chart will be enlarged, reproduced, laminated and posted in every
classroom with computers in our building. So, be creative and thorough, and
remember to use interesting graphics to add visual appeal to your chart!