Transcript Chapter 06: 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?
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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
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What should I know about losing
data?
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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
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How do I protect my
files from viruses?
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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
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How do I protect the files I’m
working with?
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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
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How do I use Backup and Restore?
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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
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How do I use Backup and Restore?
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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 F12
to get the boot manager, and boot from the DVD drive
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When should I make a system repair
disc?
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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
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What’s a simple and dependable
backup plan?
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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
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Hardware: Safety equipment
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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
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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
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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?
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