Computer Viruses :Meaning, Types and Causes

BASIC 4 COMPUTER SECOND TERM E-LESSON NOTE

Subject : Information Technology 

Term : Second Term

Class : Primary 4

Week : 5

Topic :

Computer Viruses :Meaning, Types and Causes

Previous Lesson :

Formatting on Microsoft PowerPoint

Learning Objectives :

By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to

• Explain virus
• Mention types of virus
• Say the causes of computer virus

 

Learning Activities

• Pupils in small group, discuss the computer viruses, the types and causes

 

Embedded Core Skills

• Critical thinking
• Collaboration and Communication
• Personal Development
• Digital Literacy

 

 

Audio Visual

• Charts
• Computer set
• Projector
• Sound system
• Online Resources

 

 

 

Content

Computer Viruses :Meaning, Types and Causes

Computer viruses are malicious software programs that can infect a computer and cause harm to its data and functionality. They are designed to replicate themselves and spread from one computer to another, often through email attachments, infected websites, or shared files. Here’s an overview of computer viruses, including their meaning, types, and causes:

Meaning: A computer virus is a type of malware that is designed to spread from one computer to another and cause harm to the system’s data and functionality. Viruses can enter a computer through various means, including email attachments, infected websites, or shared files. Once a virus has infected a computer, it can cause damage to the system’s software, data, or hardware, including slowing down the system, corrupting files, or even causing a complete system failure.

Types: There are several different types of computer viruses, each designed to cause a different type of harm. Some of the most common types of computer viruses include:

1. File infectors: These viruses infect executable files and spread when the file is opened or run.
2. Boot sector viruses: These viruses infect the boot sector of a computer’s hard drive and are activated when the computer is booted up.
3. Macro viruses: These viruses infect Microsoft Office documents, such as Word or Excel, and are activated when the document is opened.
4. Email viruses: These viruses spread through email attachments and can infect a computer when the attachment is opened.
5. Worms: These viruses spread through a network, often using security vulnerabilities in operating systems and software.
6. Trojan horses: These viruses disguise themselves as harmless software and are often used to gain unauthorized access to a computer system.

Causes: There are several different causes of computer viruses, including:

1. Downloading infected files or software from the internet.
2. Opening email attachments from unknown or suspicious sources.
3. Sharing files or software with others, especially through peer-to-peer file-sharing networks.
4. Using outdated or unpatched software that contains security vulnerabilities.
5. Visiting infected or malicious websites.
6. Using unsecured wireless networks.

Conclusion: Computer viruses are a serious threat to computer systems and can cause significant damage to software, data, and hardware. To protect against viruses, it’s important to use up-to-date antivirus software, avoid opening suspicious email attachments, and be cautious when downloading files or software from the internet. With proper precautions, computer users can help prevent the spread of viruses and keep their systems safe and secure

 

Evaluation

1. What is a computer virus? a) A type of hardware used in computers b) A type of software that is designed to replicate itself and spread from one computer to another c) A type of computer operating system d) A type of computer network

Answer: b) A type of software that is designed to replicate itself and spread from one computer to another

2. How do computer viruses typically spread? a) Through email attachments b) Through infected websites c) Through shared files d) All of the above

Answer: d) All of the above

3. What is a file infector virus? a) A virus that infects a computer’s boot sector b) A virus that infects executable files and spreads when the file is opened or run c) A virus that infects Microsoft Office documents d) A virus that spreads through a network

Answer: b) A virus that infects executable files and spreads when the file is opened or run

4. What is a boot sector virus? a) A virus that infects a computer’s boot sector b) A virus that infects executable files and spreads when the file is opened or run c) A virus that infects Microsoft Office documents d) A virus that spreads through a network

Answer: a) A virus that infects a computer’s boot sector

5. What is a macro virus? a) A virus that infects a computer’s boot sector b) A virus that infects executable files and spreads when the file is opened or run c) A virus that infects Microsoft Office documents d) A virus that spreads through a network

Answer: c) A virus that infects Microsoft Office documents

6. What is an email virus? a) A virus that infects a computer’s boot sector b) A virus that infects executable files and spreads when the file is opened or run c) A virus that infects Microsoft Office documents d) A virus that spreads through email attachments

Answer: d) A virus that spreads through email attachments

7. What is a worm? a) A virus that infects a computer’s boot sector b) A virus that infects executable files and spreads when the file is opened or run c) A virus that infects Microsoft Office documents d) A virus that spreads through a network, often using security vulnerabilities in operating systems and software

Answer: d) A virus that spreads through a network, often using security vulnerabilities in operating systems and software

8. What is a Trojan horse? a) A virus that infects a computer’s boot sector b) A virus that infects executable files and spreads when the file is opened or run c) A virus that infects Microsoft Office documents d) A virus that disguises itself as harmless software and is often used to gain unauthorized access to a computer system

Answer: d) A virus that disguises itself as harmless software and is often used to gain unauthorized access to a computer system

9. What are some common causes of computer viruses? a) Using outdated or unpatched software b) Opening suspicious email attachments c) Visiting infected or malicious websites d) All of the above

Answer: d) All of the above

10. How can computer users protect against viruses? a) Using up-to-date antivirus software b) Avoiding opening suspicious email attachments c) Being cautious when downloading files or software from the internet d) All of the above

Answer: d) All of the above

 

 

Lesson Presentation

Introduction:

• Ask students if they have ever heard of a computer virus, and if so, what they think it is.
• Explain that a computer virus is a type of software that can infect a computer and cause harm to its data and functionality.
• Explain that students will be learning about the different types of computer viruses and how to protect against them.

Body:

• Define what a computer virus is and how it can spread from one computer to another.
• Discuss the different types of computer viruses, including file infectors, boot sector viruses, macro viruses, email viruses, worms, and Trojan horses.
• Explain how each type of virus works and what kind of damage it can cause.
• Discuss common causes of computer viruses, including downloading infected files or software, opening suspicious email attachments, and visiting infected or malicious websites.
• Discuss ways to protect against computer viruses, including using up-to-date antivirus software, avoiding opening suspicious email attachments, and being cautious when downloading files or software from the internet.
• Demonstrate how to scan a computer for viruses using antivirus software.

Conclusion:

• Review what was learned during the lesson, including the meaning, types, and causes of computer viruses and how to protect against them.
• Ask students if they have any questions or if there is anything they want to share about their experiences with computer viruses.
• Encourage students to practice safe computer habits and to protect their systems from viruses.

Assessment:

• Students will be assessed based on their ability to understand the meaning, types, and causes of computer viruses, as well as their ability to identify common types of viruses and understand how they spread. They will also be assessed on their ability to use antivirus software to scan for viruses.

Weekly Assessment /Test 

1. A computer virus is a type of software that can infect a computer and cause harm to its _________ and functionality.

Answer: data

2. Computer viruses can spread from one computer to another through various means, including email attachments, infected websites, or shared _________.

Answer: files

3. A file infector virus infects _________ files and spreads when the file is opened or run.

Answer: executable

4. A boot sector virus infects the _________ sector of a computer’s hard drive and is activated when the computer is booted up.

Answer: boot

5. A macro virus infects Microsoft Office documents, such as _________ or Excel, and is activated when the document is opened.

Answer: Word

6. Email viruses spread through email _________ and can infect a computer when the attachment is opened.

Answer: attachments

7. Worms spread through a network, often using security vulnerabilities in operating systems and _________.

Answer: software

8. Trojan horses disguise themselves as harmless software and are often used to gain unauthorized access to a computer _________.

Answer: system

9. Common causes of computer viruses include downloading infected files or software, opening suspicious email attachments, and visiting infected or malicious _________.

Answer: websites

10. To protect against computer viruses, it is important to use up-to-date antivirus software, avoid opening suspicious email attachments, and be cautious when downloading files or software from the _________.

Answer: internet