Chapter 6 Protecting Your Files Protecting Your Files

Chapter 6 Protecting Your Files

Protecting Your Files • FAQs: – What should I know about losing data? – How can I protect my files from viruses? – How do I protect files I’m working with? – How do I use Backup and Restore? – When should I make a system repair disc? – What’s a simple and dependable backup plan? Practical PC 5 th Edition Chapter 6 2

What should I know about losing data? • There are many ways to lose data – Hardware failures, human errors, fires & floods – A corrupted file is a file that has been damaged in some way – Computer viruses and worms can alter data – Head crash is when the read/write head crashes into the disk surface • Become familiar with tools to protect and restore data Practical PC 5 th Edition Chapter 6 3

What should I know about losing data? Practical PC 6 th Edition Chapter 1 4

How do I protect my files from viruses? • A virus is a small computer program that can replicate itself and do damage • A worm can spread from computer to computer and allows hackers access to your computer • Antivirus software works in the background scanning and watching for virus signatures – A virus signature is a series of unique bytes that identify a virus – If a virus slips through it can sometimes be removed, but not always – Your final protection against viruses is regular backups Practical PC 5 th Edition Chapter 6 5

How do I protect my files from viruses? Practical PC 6 th Edition Chapter 1 6

How do I protect the files I’m working with? • Many applications offer an autosave option that automatically makes copies of files as you are working with them – Make sure this feature is activated – Most applications that autosave files can sense when a file has become corrupted • Manually copy important files to another storage medium – Manual backup Practical PC 6 th Edition Chapter 1 7

How do I protect the files I’m working with? Practical PC 6 th Edition Chapter 1 8

How do I use Backup and Restore? • A backup is a collection of files copied as a precaution against data loss • Backup software automates the process of copying data and program files that can be retrieved to replace damaged or lost files – Windows 7 includes Backup and Restore • The first time you create a backup, choose the Set up backup option and specify when you want backups to take place Practical PC 6 th Edition Chapter 1 9

How do I use Backup and Restore? Practical PC 6 th Edition Chapter 1 10

How do I use Backup and Restore? • Backups combine and compress files • Retrieving files from a backup is usually referred to as the restore process • A system image is an exact copy of all the files stored on the drive – Used to restore your entire computer • You can restore selected files or the entire computer Practical PC 6 th Edition Chapter 1 11

How do I use Backup and Restore? Practical PC 6 th Edition Chapter 1 12

When should I make a system repair disc? • System repair disks will boot your computer from the CD/DVD drive or USB flash drive • The best time to make a system repair disc is when you first set up your computer • To use a system repair disc, insert it in the DVD drive while the computer is turned off, turn on the computer, press F 12 to get the boot manager, and boot from the DVD drive Practical PC 6 th Edition Chapter 1 13

When should I make a system repair disc? Practical PC 6 th Edition Chapter 1 14

What’s a simple and dependable backup plan? • Follow these four steps: – Make a system repair disc – Make weekly backups – Activate autosave – Make copies of important files Practical PC 6 th Edition Chapter 1 15

What’s a simple and dependable backup plan? Practical PC 6 th Edition Chapter 1 16

Hardware: Safety equipment • Treat your computer with care to prevent it from physical damage • A power spike is a short duration change in voltage, current, or energy – A power surge is a slightly lower voltage than a power surge, but lasts longer • A surge protector maintains safe voltage levels by filtering out surges and spikes Practical PC 6 th Edition Chapter 1 17

Hardware: Safety equipment Practical PC 6 th Edition Chapter 1 18

Hardware: Safety equipment • A UPS stores power in its battery in case of a power failure – Important for desktop computers – Normally not needed for portable computers – The length of time a device continues to run on UPS power varies Practical PC 6 th Edition Chapter 1 19

Hardware: Safety equipment • Most computers include a built-in fan designed to keep circuitry at a safe operating temperature – Continual operation at high temperatures can reduce the life expectancy of a computer – A notebook chill mat contains one or more fans designed to increase air flow to a computer placed above them • Keep your computer in a safe place to prevent theft and vandalism Practical PC 6 th Edition Chapter 1 20

What about a “good” virus? • What do you think? – Have you ever used a computer that had a virus or worm? – Have you ever lost a file because of a virus or worm? – Do you think the benefits of “good” viruses outweigh their risks? Practical PC 5 th Edition Chapter 6 21