Source – Understanding Information & Communication Technology for AS Level (Stephen Doyle)
There are a number of ways in order to prevent, or minimize your chances of your computer catching a virus:
- Install the latest virus checking software.
- Do not place any dick in the machine without scanning it first.
- Scan all software and files that have been downloaded off the Internet.
- Most viruses have the facility to remain in the computer’s memory while the power is on, so it is unwise to insert your disk after someone else without first switching off and then on again.
- Never boot up from a floppy disk, as this is how the most common type of virus (the boot sector virus) is transmitted.
- Do not allow the computer to be used for playing games since most pirated games software frequently carry viruses.
- Public domain software and shareware can be copied freely, so it is quite common for them to contain viruses; if possible it is best to get these directly from a shareware library.
- When computers are sent in for repair, the computer engineers frequently make use if special diagnostic software and this will have been placed in many other computers before yours, so you need to insist that all such software is scanned before being put into your machine.
- Transferring disks between machines is always dangerous, so this should be avoided whenever possible.
- Many companies have a single computer connected to the Internet for downloading the latest releases of software, printer drivers, etc. rather than using a file server, which is crucial to the operation of a business.
- Keep daily backups of all your data.
Data Protection Act 1998
In 1984, the huge increase of computers being used to store personal data led to the government initiating the Data Protection Act.
Another reason why the law was introduced was that most of the other EC members had laws regarding data protection, and it was considered necessary for the United Kingdom to create a similar act to allow free passage of personal data from one member state to another, which was essential for conducting business.
This law was then updated in 1998 which basically included laws concerning data being processed over the Internet.
The main purpose of the Act is to prevent the misuse of personal data and give rights to the individuals whom the information relates. If information stored about them is incorrect, then the data subjects may be able to claim against the data controller for reasons of distress or financial loss.
If a company, an association or a group of individuals wish to apply to become data controllers, then they must report to the Data Commissioner and specify what data they will be collecting and how they intend to use it. They must also follow the eight Data Protection Principles.
These principles basically state that -
1.) Personal data shall be processed fairly and lawfully, and, in particular should not be processed unless at least one of the conditions regarding processing sensitive data is met.
2.) Personal data shall be processed only for purposes compatible with the original purpose/purposes of obtaining the data.
3.) Personal data shall be adequate, relevant and not excessive in relation to the purpose/purposes for which they are processed.
4.) Personal data shall be accurate and, where necessary, kept up to date.
5.) Personal data processed for any purpose or purposes shall not be kept for longer than is necessary for that purpose or those purposes.
6.) Personal data shall be processed in accordance with the rights of data subjects under this Act.
7.) Appropriate technical and organisational measures shall be taken against unauthorised or unlawful processing of personal data and against accidental loss or destruction of, or damage to, personal data.
8.) Personal data shall not be transferred to a country or territory outside the European Economic Area, unless that country or territory ensures an adequate level of protection for the rights and freedoms of data subjects in relation to the processing of personal data.
Here is a short glossary to help define some of the terms used in the Data Protection Act section.
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Personal Data – Information concerning a living person who can be identified from the data.
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Data Subject – The individual who is the subject of the personal data.
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The Data Controller – The individual in a company/organisation who is given the responsibility of controlling the way in which personal data is processed.
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The Commissioner – The Commissioner is the person who is responsible for:
1.) Enforcing the Act.
- Promoting good practice by the people who are responsible for the processing of personal data,
- Making the general public aware of their rights under the Act.
Software Piracy
Software piracy is the illegal copying of computer software. It is reckoned that piracy costs the software industry £3,000 million every year. In 1989, the government decided that software piracy was a threat to society, and so they created a new Act, named The Copyright, Design and Patents Act.
The Copyright, Design and Patents Act 1989
The Copyright, Design and Patents Act 1989 makes it a criminal offence to copy or steal software. Under the Act it is an offence to copy or distribute software, or any manuals that come with it, without permission or license from the copyright owner. It is also an offence to run purchased software covered by copyright on two or more machines at the same time, unless the license specifically allows it.
The Act also makes it illegal for an organisation to encourage, allow, compel, or pressure its employees to make or distribute copies of illegal software by the organisation.
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