Why software matters to a business
Software is a set of instructions that tells a computer what to do. A business is a group that sells goods or services to earn money.
Software helps a business in four big ways:
- Speed: a bill takes seconds, not minutes.
- Accuracy: a program adds numbers without tiredness, so there are fewer mistakes.
- Records: facts about sales, stock and staff are saved and found quickly.
- Decisions: reports show what sells best, so owners plan better.
Common jobs run by software: selling (billing), buying (orders to suppliers), paying staff (payroll) and keeping records (accounts, customer lists).
Introducing and running a network
A network is a group of computers joined so they can share data and devices.
- LAN (local area network): computers in one building, joined by cables or Wi-Fi.
- Switch: a box that passes messages between computers in the same LAN.
- Router: a box that joins the LAN to other networks, such as the internet.
- Server: a strong computer that keeps shared files or programs.
Why a business adds a network: staff share one printer, one database and one internet line, so work is cheaper and everyone sees the same up-to-date data.
Running it: someone must plan the cables or Wi-Fi, set up the devices, give each user an account, watch for faults and keep the software updated.
Protecting information assets
An information asset is data or software that is valuable to the business: customer lists, prices, accounts, designs. If it is lost, stolen or changed, the business suffers.
Threats are things that can harm it:
- Hacker: someone who breaks in over the network.
- Virus (malware): a harmful program that damages or steals data.
- Disk crash, fire or theft: the data is physically lost.
- Snooping or mistakes by staff: someone sees or changes what they should not.
Protections work in layers, so if one fails another still helps:
- Password: proves who you are. Make it long and never share it.
- Firewall: checks traffic and blocks unwanted connections.
- Antivirus: finds and removes harmful programs.
- Backup: a second copy kept safe, so data can be restored.
- Access rights: each person can open only what their job needs.
Try it: audit a shop
Pick a shop you know. List three jobs where software helps. Then list three pieces of data it would be sad to lose. For each, write which of the five locks protects it. In the last 3D step, switch off one lock at a time and see which threat gets in.
Key formulas and definitions
- Key terms: LAN = computers in one place joined together; router = link to the internet
- Threats: hacker, virus, disk crash or theft, snooping or staff mistakes
- Protections: password, firewall, antivirus, backup, access rights
- Layered defence: if one lock fails, another still helps
- Backup rule: keep a second copy in a different place
Worked examples
1. Name three jobs in a bakery where software helps, and one benefit of each.
Billing: faster and no adding mistakes. Stock of flour: warns before it runs out. Payroll: pays each person the correct amount on time.
2. A school has 20 computers and one printer. Which device joins the computers into a LAN, and which joins the LAN to the internet?
The switch joins the computers into a LAN. The router joins the LAN to the internet.
3. Match each threat to the best protection: (a) a stranger tries to log in over the internet, (b) a downloaded file damages the files, (c) the hard disk stops working, (d) a clerk opens the owner's salary file.
(a) Password and firewall. (b) Antivirus. (c) Backup. (d) Access rights.
Common mistakes
- Thinking antivirus alone is enough. It does not stop a thief who knows your password or a disk that breaks.
- Keeping the backup on the same computer as the original. A crash or theft takes both.
- Confusing the switch and the router. The switch joins computers inside the LAN; the router links the LAN to the outside.
- Sharing one password for everyone. Then nobody can tell who changed a record.