Level 4 Info Systems hardware revision lesson

Level 4 Information Systems revision lesson

Falkirk High School

• I can state the basic hardware components that all computer systems have in common

• I can state the additional requirements needed for a device to connect to the internet

• I can explain what hacking is

• I can state two types of malware

Achievements

• We are learning what components a computer system needs to access the world wide web

• We are learning about the risks associated with using the world wide web

Aims

Hardware

What is hardware?

Hardware refers to the physical parts of a computer. All computer systems have the following important hardware components:

• Processor

• Memory

• Backing Storage

• Input Devices

• Output Devices​

Processor

The processor is the brain of the computer. The processor is responsible for carrying out the operations which the computer performs. Processor speed is measured in Hertz (commonly Gigahertz). The school desktop computers have a processor speed of 3.6GHz. The processor contains an Arithmetic & Logic Unit, Control Unit and Registers.

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Memory

This is composed of RAM & ROM (Random Access Memory and Read-Only Memory). RAM stores files and programs which are currently in use so more RAM means that the user can have more programs and files open at the same time. The school desktop computers have 16GB of RAM.

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Multiple Choice

Zak has a computer with 4GB of RAM while Daniel has a computer with 8GB of RAM. Describe the difference between the performance of Zak and Daniel's computers. (1 mark)

• Zak's computer will be able to run more programs at the same time.

• Zak's computer will be able to process instructions faster.

• Daniel's computer will be able to run more programs at the same time.

• Daniel's computer will be able to process instructions faster.

Multiple Choice

What is the purpose of RAM? (1 mark)

• To store data and programs when the computer is switched on.

• To store data and programs when the computer is switched off.

• To process instructions from the user.

• To display processed information to the user.

Backing storage

Backing storage devices can be a hard disk, solid-state disk or flash memory card. Backing storage devices can be compared using their capacity which is a measure of how much data they can hold. The amount of space a file takes up on backing storage can be checked when viewing the file in a folder. Different types of computer use different backing storage devices.

Backing storage

A device such as a hard drive or solid state drive would not fit into a small computer system such as a smart phone or tablet. These types of computers often use flash memory cards as one of their backing storage devices.

​Laptops often have ​Solid State Drives as their primary backing storage device because they're more robust than traditional hard drives.

Multiple Choice

Laptop computers often use which type of backing storage device?

• Hard drive

• CD

• Solid State Drive

• Flash Memory Card

Multiple Choice

Tablet computers often use which type of backing storage device?

• Hard drive

• CD

• Solid State Drive

• Flash Memory Card

Input Devices

Input devices are used to get data into a computer system. They include keyboard, mouse, track-pad, microphone, webcam and digital camera.

Output Devices

Output devices are used to get processed data out of a computer system. They include devices such as printers, monitors, speakers, headphones and data projectors.

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Multiple Choice

A scanner is an example of a...

• Backing storage device

• Input device

• Output device

• Both an input and output device

Multiple Choice

A 3D printer is an example of a...

• Backing storage device

• Input device

• Output device

• Both an input and output device

Multiple Choice

A V-R headset is an example of a...

• Backing storage device

• Input device

• Output device

• Both an input and output device

Multiple Choice

A CD is an example of a...

• Backing storage device

• Input device

• Output device

• Both an input and output device

Multiple Choice

A USB pen is an example of a...

• Backing storage device

• Input device

• Output device

• Both an input and output device

Multiple Choice

A touch screen is an example of a...

• Backing storage device

• Input device

• Output device

• Both an input and output device

Multiple Choice

A webcam is an example of a...

• Backing storage device

• Input device

• Output device

• Both an input and output device

Multiple Choice

A data projector is an example of a...

• Backing storage device

• Input device

• Output device

• Both an input and output device

Internet connections

Connecting to the world wide web

To connect to the internet, you need the following things: 

• Internet Service Provider (ISP)

• Router  

• Modem

• Network Interface Card 

Network Hardware

Router

To connect to the internet a computer system also needs a router. This device is responsible for connecting a computer or peripheral to the internet. 

Network Hardware

Network Interface Card

If a computer wants to connect to a network, then it will need to have a Network Interface Card (NIC). Most modern computers now come with a built in NIC.

Network Hardware

Modem

A modem is a device that connects your home network to the internet. A modem brings internet service into the home from internet service providers (ISPs), while a router delivers that internet connection to the devices in your home.

Multiple Choice

Which four things do you need to connect a computer to the internet?

• NIC, router, graphics card and modem

• NIC, router, modem and ISP

• NIC, hard drive, modem and ISP

• Hard drive, NIC, router and ISP

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Internet connections

Types of internet connections

Broadband is a high-speed internet connection which is commonly used in homes in the UK. There are currently no Internet Service Providers who provide dial-up connections anymore. Dial-up is much slower than broadband and is slow to load pages and download files. 

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Multiple Choice

The fastest type of internet connection is...

• Broadband

• Dial-up

Security risks

When you are using computers, especially when you are online it is important to remember that there are security risks, and that you need to protect yourself and your data.

Hackers

Hacking is when you gain access to another person’s computer or files without their permission.  

Under the Computer Misuse Act 1990 it is against the law to access someone else’s files without their permission. If you guess the password to your friend’s email and read their mail then that an example of hacking. If you change another person’s files without their permission then that is also a form of hacking.  

Malware

Malware is short for malicious software and it is a type of software that is designed to disrupt computer operations, or the running of a computer. Malware is a general term used to describe any software or code that exploits a computer or the information on a computer without the user’s consent.  Malware includes viruses, worms, Trojan Horses and Spyware.  

Word Cloud

Write the name of two types of malware.

Multiple Select

Which of the following would be an example of hacking?

• Putting a comment on your friend's post on social media

• Guessing your friend's GLOW password and logging in as them.

• Using your friend's school login to log in as them and delete their work.

• Looking at a strangers social media page.