1.  How can you tell if your computer is safe?

Before checking if a computer is safe, there should be antivirus installed as a bare minimum. Setting that up should thwart attempts to compromise your computer. But if you decide to open files flagged by your antivirus or download that pdf from the obvious phishing email then there are probably some telltale signs that your machine is compromised.

A machine becoming unusually slow could mean something, most likely malware, is taking up memory. Likewise, an increase in internet usage could be malware communicating to the outside. Apps and browser plugins you never seen before appearing are things to watch out for as well.

2. Describe three ways that computers have made the world safer and less safe.

Advances in computer technology have made the world safer and less safe.

A safe aspect of computing is that errors are less prone to happen compared to the human equivalent. For example, precise medical measurements and monitoring that could mean life or death. Another safe aspect is that computers and the Internet allow for fast communications. Again, time critical situations like a doctor pulling up patient history from another area. Tools like encryption also provide safety and privacy.

The benefits advancements in computer technology brings also welcomes new dangers. The high cohesion of information on the internet means that if critical information is not protected properly people can have their sensitive information exposed. Criminals also don’t have to come to a person or even the area they are in to cause them digital harm. People also have misconceptions about the technologies they use and the dangers that can come through that medium. False sense of security or perception they have low desirability to become target may cause people to unsafely use their machines. This only makes them more of target.