1. Topic
How are computer and biological viruses similar? What can we do to protect against them?
2. Content
Students receive an introduction to cyberspace and cybersecurity. Students learn the basic behaviors of a virus, then create a graphic noting the similarities between computer and biological viruses.
Main Take away:
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Cyberspace refers to the collection of information that is assessable on the web.
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Several types of threats exist, including those resulting from some malicious type of software.
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Engineers and Scientists secure cyberspace by monitoring network access, and designing programs that protect sensitive data or computers.
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These concepts can be related to biology by looking at how biological viruses attack the body.
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Viruses (both computer and biological) can affect the host and use it for its own function.
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Vaccines and Antivirus Software prevent viruses from spreading to more people and computers.
3. Goals: (Aims/Outcomes)
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Students will be able to list 3 traits of both biological and computer viruses.
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Students will learn one way in which engineers or scientists secure cyberspace.
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Students will practice using technology in the classroom to answer a given question.
4. Materials and Aids
Materials: Internet access, writing utensil, paper.
Visual aids: Viruses and Cybersecurity.pdf
5. Procedure/Methods
Introduction (5 min):
How do you use the internet at home? How do you secure cyberspace? How do you secure yourself against biological viruses?
Lecture outline (15 min):
Activity (25 min):
Explore the web to get a better understanding of computer and biological viruses.
Compare the behavior listing the similarities and the differences between the two.
Conclusion (5 min):
Go over a few similarities with students. Summarize the information from the class.
