1 Computer Maintenance Software Configuration: Evaluating Software Packages, Software Licensing, and Computer Protection through the Installation and Maintenance of Security Software Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved.

Course Objectives Evaluate software packages to determine the compatibility of the software to the hardware on the computer Determine that the software is properly licensed prior to installation Define, install, and maintain security software Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved.2

Software Configuration: Functionality, and Compatibility Computer software: A program made up of bits and bytes of information that is loaded and used on the computer Also known as an application Many different types of of software programs Each piece of software serves a a particular purpose in making the computer function Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved.3

Software Configuration: Functionality, and Compatibility Computer hardware: A collection of components put together to form a functioning computer Components include the CPU (Central Processing Unit), motherboard, graphics card, power supply, memory, hard drive, optical drive, fan, monitor, keyboard, mouse, and other optional components like speakers Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved.4

Software Configuration: Functionality, and Compatibility Software compatibility: The ability for a software application to function with a computer’s hardware Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved.5

Software Compatibility Things to look for and consider when selecting a software application package Compatible operating systems The software’s minimum system requirements The software’s recommended system requirements The hardware specifications of the computer The level of functionality that can be expected based on the hardware it is installed on End users licensing agreement Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved.6

Software Compatibility Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved.7 Minimum system requirements Tends to increase over time as hardware becomes more powerful Tells you if the software will run on the computer Helps gauge the level of performance that can be expected once installed

Software Compatibility Recommended hardware specifications Has a higher requirement than the minimum system requirements Ensures the optimal performance intended by the manufacturer Targets the mid point of computer hardware capabilities at the time the software was released Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved.8

Software Compatibility Assessing the level of functionality for application software Know the computer’s hardware When gathering data, compile a list of information including the following: Operating system, CPU and speed, amount of installed memory, hard drive capacity, video card, sound card, network cards, optical drives, and other hardware Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved.9

Software Compatibility Assessing the level of functionality for application software includes the following: Ensures the computer’s specifications meet or exceed the listed system requirements on the software for baseline performance The software package will run, but it will likely be slow to respond or run very slowly Compares the recommended specifications to the computer hardware if it exceeds the software’s system requirements The higher the hardware capability is, the more responsive you can expect the application to be Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved.10

Software Licensing Software license: A legal contract that regulates the usage and distribution of software. The user is presented with the specified terms at installation. Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved.11

Software licenses indicate the number of computers that can legally have the software installed. Licenses will also indicate the number of authorized users (Ex. A photographer looking for a photo editing package would not be eligible for the student pricing unless he or she was a student.) Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved.12 Software Licensing

End User License Agreement (EULA) States the rights of the end user and how the software may be used EULA is the agreement that must be accepted prior to the installation of the software. It is designed to limit the unlawful use or distribution of the software. Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved.13

Security Software Security software: General terminology used to define different computer applications that are designed to protect a computer or computer system in a specific way Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved.14

Security Software Different types of security software Anti-virus software Prevents infection, detects and removes malware that may allow unwanted changes to the computer Firewall software Controls data traffic flow while securing a network Internet security software Anti-malware software that monitors the Internet browser, and other applications that open connectivity to the Internet Anti-spyware software Removes programs that monitor and report the user’s actions on a computer Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved.15

Security Software Important things to note about security software It is never 100% effective You must exercise caution when visiting websites, opening s, and handling files that are downloaded. Security software can scan these files, but they only detect what has already been identified. Some types of malware are not able to be removed and can require a reinstallation of the operating system. Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved.16

Security Software Installing security software Two ways to install security software: Download and install the software from the Internet Purchase a retail package of the software and install it by the CD-ROM Maintaining security software Security software should auto update During installation, the auto update and scan should default to “enabled.” Use this setting. When security software is being updated afterwards, there will be a pop-up window to let you know about the update. Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved.17

Security Software Downloading security software (Some security applications are free) Click to download or purchase the software. On completion of download, open the download folder where the download was saved. Double click the installer icon or executable (Exe.) Follow onscreen prompts and accept the (EULA). The software should run a complete scan of the computer’s hard drive once it is installed. Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved.18

Security Software Installing security software (CD-ROM) Insert disk. Double click the install icon on the desktop and again if necessary when the installer window appears. Follow the on-screen prompts and accept the (EULA). The software should run an updater for current security definitions and perform a complete scan of the computer’s hard drive. Eject the disk. Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved.19

Independent or Group Work Group Get into your groups. Obtain one of the boxes that contains the various software applications and notecards describing 5 different computer hardware specifications. Match the notecard with the software application that would be best suited to run that software. Once complete, all the groups will review their matches with the teacher. Take detailed notes on each group’s research as it is being presented. Individual Log into the demo computer in the classroom. You will have the choice of downloading a free anti-virus program or installing it by CD-ROM. Install the antivirus program and run a complete scan of the computer’s hard drive. When you are finished, raise your hand for the teacher to come and inspect your work. Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved.20

Exam Preparation An exam will be given over the material presented in this lesson. Make sure to review your class notes and these slides. Questions will be multiple choice and true or false. Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved.21