Computer Virus

Computer viruses are pieces of computer code, designed to implant itself in programs or files with the idea of destroying, or changing the data transmitted. Viruses can be spread through interchange of files and programs, loaded onto a computer and executed. They slow down computers, crash a system, or simply reroute data to other units. Virus numbers have risen since the 90s, and the U.S government has passed laws making virus introduction into computers of unknowing victims, a serious crime. Software companies have also sought to stem the tide by creating programs specifically for tracking down viruses and stopping them. Below are articles which provide information on latest computer viruses, virus statistics, computer virus protection and removal.
 Some computer viruses are listed below:
OPRAH WINFREY VIRUS
AT&T VIRUS
MCI VIRUS
PAUL REVERE VIRUS
POLITICALLY CORRECT VIRUS
RIGHT TO LIFE VIRUS
ROSS PEROT VIRUS
MARIO CUOMO VIRUS
TED TURNER VIRUS
ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER VIRUS
DAN QUAYLE VIRUS
GOVERNMENT ECONOMIST VIRUS

Uses of Computer

There are several uses of computers: -

• Word Processing - Word Processing software automatically corrects spelling and grammar mistakes. If the content of a document repeats you don’t have to type it each time. You can use the copy and paste features. You can printout documents and make several copies. It is easier to read a word-processed document than a handwritten one. You can add images to your document.
• Internet - It is a network of almost all the computers in the world. You can browse through much more information than you could do in a library. That is because computers can store enormous amounts of information. You also have very fast and convenient access to information. Through E-Mail you can communicate with a person sitting thousands of miles away in seconds. There is chat software that enables one to chat with another person on a real-time basis. Video conferencing tools are becoming readily available to the common man.
• Digital video or audio composition – Audio or video composition and editing have been made much easier by computers. It no longer costs thousands of dollars of equipment to compose music or make a film. Graphics engineers can use computers to generate short or full-length films or even to create three-dimensional models. Anybody owning a computer can now enter the field of media production. Special effects in science fiction and action movies are created using computers.
• Desktop publishing - With desktop publishing, you can create page layouts for entire books on your personal computer.
• Computers in Medicine - You can diagnose diseases. You can learn the cures. Software is used in magnetic resonance imaging to examine the internal organs of the human body. Software is used for performing surgery. Computers are used to store patient data.
• Mathematical Calculations - Thanks to computers, which have computing speeds of over a million calculations per second we can perform the biggest of mathematical calculations.
• Banks - All financial transactions are done by computer software. They provide security, speed and convenience.
• Travel - One can book air tickets or railway tickets and make hotel reservations online.
• Telecommunications - Software is widely used here. Also all mobile phones have software embedded in them.
• Defense - There is software embedded in almost every weapon. Software is used for controlling the flight and targeting in ballistic missiles. Software is used to control access to atomic bombs.
• E-Learning – Instead of a book it is easier to learn from an E-learning software.
• Gambling-You can gamble online instead of going to a casino.
• Examinations-You can give online exams and get instant results. You can check your examination results online.
• Computers in Business - Shops and supermarkets use software, which calculate the bills. Taxes can be calculated and paid online. Accounting is done using computers. One can predict future trends of business using artificial intelligence software. Software is used in major stock markets. One can do trading online. There are fully automated factories running on software.
• Certificates - Different types of certificates can be generated. It is very easy to create and change layouts.
• ATM machines - The computer software authenticates the user and dispenses cash.
• Marriage - There are matrimonial sites through which one can search for a suitable groom or bride.
• News-There are many websites through which you can read the latest or old news.
• Classmates-There are many alumni websites through which you can regain contact with your classmates.
• Robotics - Robots are controlled by software.
• Washing Machines - They operate using software.
• Microwave Oven - They are operated by software.
• Planning and Scheduling - Software can be used to store contact information, generating plans, scheduling appointments and deadlines.
• Plagiarism - Software can examine content for plagiarism.
• Greeting Cards - You can send and receive greetings pertaining to different occasions.
• Sports – Software is used for making umpiring decisions. There are simulation software using which a sportsperson can practice his skills. Computers are also to identify flaws in techhnique.
• Aeroplanes – Pilots train on software, which simulates flying.
• Weather analysis – Supercomputers are used to analyze and predict weather.

Computer in field of IT

Computer and Information Technology (CIT)

Information technology (IT) is "the acquisition, processing, storage and dissemination of vocal, pictorial, textual and numerical information by a microelectronics-based combination of computing and telecommunications". The term in its modern sense first appeared in a 1958 article published in the Harvard Business Review, in which authors Leavitt and Whisler commented that "the new technology does not yet have a single established name. We shall call it information technology."
Computer and Information Technology (formerly Computer Technology - CPT) prepares students for existing and emerging jobs and careers in the application of information systems and technology to plan, analyze, design, construct, maintain, and manage:

• Software Development
• Systems Integration
• Data Management
• Computer Networks

In addition, CIT is developing courses in the following signature areas:

• Cyberforensics
• Biomedical Informatics
• High Performance Computing
• Information Security
• Wireless Networking

Disadvantages of Computer

Computer disadvantages are as follows; Violation of Privacy, it is crucial that personal and confidential records stored in computers be protected properly. Impact on Labor Force, although computers have improved productivity and created an entire industry with hundreds of thousands of new jobs, the skills of hundreds of thousands employees are replaced by computers. Health Risks, prolonged or improper computer use can lead to head injuries or disorders.Computer users can protect themselves from health risks through proper workplace design, good posture while at the computer, and appropriately spaced work breaks. Impact on the Environment, Computer manufacturing processes and computer waste are depleting natural resources and polluting the environment.
Following are some of the major disadvantages of computer networks.

• Security Issues: One of the major drawbacks of computer networks is the security issues involved. If a computer is a standalone, physical access becomes necessary for any kind of data theft. However, if a computer is on a network, a computer hacker can get unauthorized access by using different tools. In case of big organizations, various network security software are used to prevent the theft of any confidential and classified data.
• Rapid Spread of Computer Viruses: If any computer system in a network gets affected by computer virus, there is a possible threat of other systems getting affected too. Viruses get spread on a network easily because of the inter-connectivity of workstations. Such spread can be dangerous if the computers have important database which can get corrupted by the virus.
• Expensive Set Up: The initial set up cost of a computer network can be high depending on the number of computers to be connected. Costly devices like routers, switches, hubs, etc., can add up to the bills of a person trying to install a computer network. He will also have to buy NICs (Network Interface Cards) for each of the workstations, in case they are not inbuilt.
• Dependency on the Main File Server: In case the main File Server of a computer network breaks down, the system becomes useless. In case of big networks, the File Server should be a powerful computer, which often makes it expensive.

Advantages of Computer

 Computer technology fills our world, from the timing of the traffic lights to advanced theoretical modeling and space exploration. While use of computer technology is now commonplace, such has not always been the case. A Computer is an electronic device that processes data according to a given list of instructions. It has many uses and advantages. Some of them are as follows:

- Easy processing of complex tasks.
- It saves time by quick manipulation of data as compared to when done manually.
- The errors in data processing are minimized when a computer is used.
- It has helped in making communication easier by using internet.
- It stores, retrieves, and processes a large amount of data.
- It helps in multitasking of various jobs.
- Data is more secure and easier to use.

Computer Networking

In the world of computers, networking is the practice of linking two or more computing devices together for the purpose of sharing data. Networks are built with a mix of computer hardware and computer software.
Computer networking or Data communications (Datacom) is the engineering discipline concerned with the communication between computer systems or devices. A computer network is any set of computers or devices connected to each other with the ability to exchange data. Computer networking is sometimes considered a sub-discipline of telecommunications, computer science, information technology and/or computer engineering since it relies heavily upon the theoretical and practical application of these scientific and engineering disciplines. The three types of networks are: the Internet, the intranet, and the extranet. Examples of different network methods are:

• Local area network (LAN)
• Metropolitan area network (MAN)
• Wide area network (WAN)

Computer Hardware

A personal computer is made up of multiple physical components of computer hardware, upon which can be installed a system software called operating system and a multitude of software applications to perform the operator's desired functions.
Though a PC comes in many different forms, a typical personal computer consists of a case or chassis in a tower shape (desktop), containing components such as a motherboard.
All the elements that go together to make up a PC fall into one of two categories, hardware or software. This section is about hardware, the stuff upon which software runs.

One of the definitions of 'hardware' according to Webster's dictionary is 'major items of equipment or their components used for a particular purpose'.

Everything you can see and touch in your PC is hardware. Complete PCs can be purchased for about $300 today, and the prices keep falling! All the items listed below that make up a PC can be purchased individually at computer or web supply stores.

This following list represents a basic set of hardware found in most PCs.
For more information on these components just click one.

1. PC Case
2. Motherboard
3. Power Supply
4. Hard Disk Drive (HDD)
5. Floppy Disk Drive (FDD)
6. Compact Disk Drive (CDD)
7. Digital Video Disk drive (DVD)
8. Monitors (CRT and LCD)
9. Keyboard
10. Mouse
11. Audio
12. Cables & Wires