Computer Anti 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 Anti Viruses :Meaning, Types and Causes

Previous Lesson :

Computer Viruses :Meaning, Types and Causes

Learning Objectives :

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

• Explain anti-virus
• Mention types of anti-virus
• Say the functions or importance of computer Anti-virus
• students will understand the meaning, types, and importance of antivirus software, and be able to identify the functions of antivirus software.

Learning Activities

• Pupils in small group, discuss the computer anti-viruses, the types and uses

Embedded Core Skills

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

Audio Visual

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

Materials:

• Computer or laptop with internet access
• Projector or screen
• Whiteboard and markers
• Textbook with key points and vocabulary

Content

Meaning of Anti-virus

Hello Grade 4 pupils!

An antivirus is a type of software that helps to protect your computer or device from harmful viruses. A virus is a computer program that can harm your computer, delete your files or even steal your personal information.

An antivirus program works by scanning your computer for viruses and then removing them or putting them in quarantine so that they can’t cause any harm. Think of it like a doctor for your computer – it helps keep it healthy and free from harmful viruses.

Here are some examples of popular antivirus software:

1. Norton Antivirus
2. McAfee Antivirus
3. Avast Antivirus

These programs are designed to help protect your computer from viruses, malware, spyware, and other types of harmful software.

Remember, it’s important to keep your antivirus software up-to-date to ensure that it can protect your computer from the latest threats. Also, always be careful when downloading files or clicking on links from unknown sources to avoid getting viruses on your computer.

Types of Computer Anti-virus

There are different types of antivirus software that you can use to protect your computer from viruses. Here are some examples:

1. Signature-based antivirus: This type of antivirus software looks for specific patterns or signatures in files and programs that are known to be associated with viruses. When it finds a match, it alerts you and removes the virus.
2. Heuristic antivirus: This type of antivirus software looks for behaviors or actions that may indicate a virus is present. It doesn’t rely on specific patterns or signatures but instead uses algorithms to detect potentially harmful software.
3. Behavioral antivirus: This type of antivirus software focuses on monitoring the behavior of programs on your computer. It looks for unusual or suspicious activity and can detect new viruses that don’t yet have a signature.
4. Cloud-based antivirus: This type of antivirus software uses the internet to access a database of known viruses and malware. It can quickly detect and remove new viruses as soon as they appear.

Examples of popular antivirus software that use these different types of protection include:

• Norton Antivirus and McAfee Antivirus use signature-based protection
• Avast Antivirus and Kaspersky Antivirus use heuristic protection
• Malwarebytes and Webroot use behavioral protection
• Panda Antivirus and Sophos use cloud-based protection.

Remember, it’s important to have antivirus software installed on your computer and to keep it up-to-date to protect yourself from viruses and other types of malware.

Importance, Functions and Uses of Computer Anti-virus

Antivirus software is important for several reasons. Here are some functions or benefits of antivirus software:

1. Protection against viruses and malware: Antivirus software helps to protect your computer from harmful viruses and malware that can damage your computer or steal your personal information.
2. Real-time scanning: Most antivirus software scans your computer in real-time to detect and remove viruses as soon as they are detected. This means that you can use your computer safely without worrying about being infected by a virus.
3. Regular updates: Antivirus software regularly updates its virus database to keep up with the latest threats. This ensures that your computer is protected from new and emerging viruses.
4. Firewall protection: Many antivirus software programs also come with a firewall, which helps to prevent unauthorized access to your computer or network.
5. Safe web browsing: Some antivirus software includes features that help to protect you while you are browsing the web. For example, they can block malicious websites or phishing attempts.

Examples of popular antivirus software that offer these benefits include Norton Antivirus, McAfee Antivirus, Avast Antivirus, and Kaspersky Antivirus.

Remember, antivirus software is an important tool for keeping your computer safe and secure. It’s important to have antivirus software installed on your computer and to keep it up-to-date to protect yourself from viruses and other types of malware

Evaluation

1. What is an antivirus software? A. A program that speeds up your computer B. A program that protects your computer from viruses C. A program that helps you browse the internet
2. What is a virus? A. A type of computer program that can harm your computer B. A type of computer program that speeds up your computer C. A type of computer program that helps you browse the internet
3. Which of the following is not a type of antivirus software? A. Signature-based antivirus B. Behavioral antivirus C. Speed-based antivirus
4. Which type of antivirus software uses algorithms to detect potentially harmful software? A. Signature-based antivirus B. Heuristic antivirus C. Behavioral antivirus
5. What is the function of a firewall in antivirus software? A. It helps to prevent unauthorized access to your computer or network. B. It helps to speed up your computer C. It helps to clean up your computer’s hard drive
6. What is the benefit of real-time scanning in antivirus software? A. It helps to detect and remove viruses as soon as they are detected B. It helps to speed up your computer C. It helps to block advertisements on websites
7. What is the function of a cloud-based antivirus software? A. It uses the internet to access a database of known viruses and malware B. It helps to speed up your computer C. It helps to clean up your computer’s hard drive
8. Why is it important to keep antivirus software up-to-date? A. To ensure that it can protect your computer from the latest threats B. To speed up your computer C. To free up space on your computer’s hard drive
9. Which of the following is not a popular antivirus software? A. Microsoft Office B. Norton Antivirus C. Avast Antivirus
10. What is the importance of antivirus software? A. It helps to protect your computer from viruses and malware B. It helps to speed up your computer C. It helps to organize your files on your computer’s hard drive

Lesson Presentation

Previous Lesson 

• Computer Viruses :Meaning, Types and Causes

Introduction:

• Ask students if they have ever heard of antivirus software or if they know what it does.
• Explain that antivirus software is a program designed to protect your computer from harmful viruses and malware.
• Share examples of common antivirus software programs such as Norton, McAfee, or Avast.

Body:

• Explain the different types of antivirus software, including signature-based, heuristic, behavioral, and cloud-based, and provide examples of each.
• Discuss the importance of keeping antivirus software up-to-date to ensure that it can protect your computer from the latest threats.
• Explain the functions of antivirus software, including protection against viruses and malware, real-time scanning, regular updates, firewall protection, and safe web browsing.
• Share examples of popular antivirus software programs and their features.

Conclusion:

• Summarize the main points covered in the lesson.
• Provide students with handouts of the key points and vocabulary.
• Encourage students to ask questions or share their own experiences with antivirus software.

Assessment:

• Give students a short quiz or worksheet to assess their understanding of the material.
• Evaluate students’ participation in class discussion and their ability to identify the functions of antivirus software.

Extensions:

• Have students research and compare different antivirus software programs to determine which one might be the best fit for their computer.
• Provide students with scenarios where they must decide which type of antivirus software would be the most effective in protecting a computer from a specific type of threat

Weekly Assessment /Test 

1. An antivirus is a type of software that helps to protect your computer from __________.
2. A virus is a computer program that can harm your computer, delete your files, or even steal your __________.
3. Signature-based antivirus looks for specific patterns or __________ in files and programs that are known to be associated with viruses.
4. Heuristic antivirus uses algorithms to detect potentially __________ software.
5. Behavioral antivirus focuses on monitoring the __________ of programs on your computer.
6. Cloud-based antivirus uses the __________ to access a database of known viruses and malware.
7. Antivirus software regularly updates its virus database to keep up with the latest __________.
8. The function of a firewall in antivirus software is to prevent __________ access to your computer or network.
9. Real-time scanning in antivirus software helps to detect and remove viruses as soon as __________ are detected.
10. It is important to keep antivirus software up-to-date to ensure that it can protect your computer from the latest __________