Module 6.3 "Safely Managing Software" Study Guide

Lesson 6.3: “Safely Managing Software” Objectives

• 6.2 Explain methods to secure devices and security best practices.

Where Do We Find Software? (6.3.1)

• software was sold only at physical shops. Retail stores had a few programs on floppy or compact disc (CDs) you could buy, while stores that specialized in computers and tech had a bigger selection.

• As the Internet became more popular, people began to download their favorite programs more often than they bought packaged software.

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Know Your Sources

• when you work in IT or manage your own system, it's important to make sure that the software you download is coming from a trustworthy source. The last thing you want is to be the one who accidentally brought a virus onto the company network, or who let the home network get hacked.

• you can be sure your software is safe and malware-free by getting that software directly from the source. Make sure you're on the software producer's website and you know your purchase will be safe

• Sometimes, threat actors create fake websites that look similar to the real ones, often by using a misspelled version of the correct site's name. Luckily, these fake sites usually don't copy the real site's content. Instead, they use other tricks to make money off of you, such as getting you to download harmful programs onto your computer.

Trusted Sources for Software (6.3.2)

• These online stores offer all kinds of content, like games, productivity tools, photo-editing software, and more. The apps will be organized in categories, with each one having its own icon, like a book cover. You can also read reviews about them from other customers in the app store or by searching online.

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What Is an App Store?

• An app store is a platform where users can search for and download a variety of apps for different devices.

• the majority of apps are free, but there are some you have to purchase. One exciting thing about these stores is that they're constantly being updated with new content to explore. When you open an app store, you'll see a home page with suggestions, new releases, and popular downloads.

• The apps available in these stores are chosen by the company that runs the store. This means that before an app is released, it goes through a review process to make sure it works well with the company's devices, is of good quality, and doesn't have any harmful or inappropriate content.

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App Distribution

• they provide updates when developers release them. These updates are meant to fix bugs or address complaints users have made. Sometimes, developers also add new content and features to keep people interested in their product. Updating is done through the app store, which usually has a section for this purpose. These updates are almost always included in the original purchase price

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Common App Stores

• Apple Store

• Amazon

• Google Play

• The Microsoft Store
  

Software Licensing (6.3.3)

• following software licensing rules is an important business concern. Software publishers don’t appreciate, and can prosecute, people who use their products without paying for them.

• a license is a type of receipt that gives you permission to run the product you paid for. Installing unlicensed software breaks copyright laws. You can be fined for this behavior.

• When you first install a software program, you have to read and agree to the rules for using it, which is called the End User License Agreement (EULA).

End User License Agreement (EULA) - Contract governing the installation and use of software.

• software makers don't expect large companies to buy individual copies for each person. Instead, they offer companies a blanket or site license, which lets them install the software on as many computers as they need for one price.

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Subscription Model

• big change in software ownership over the years has been the shift to monthly subscription plans. Developers came to realize that they could end up making more money this way.

• With a subscription plan, you pay every month and always get the latest version and updates. You can also expect better security and performance and direct access to the software's tech support team.

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Product Keys and Serial Numbers

• A common way to link purchased software to its owner is by using a key or serial number specific to that product or license.

• You must enter this key or serial number when you install the software, which also registers it with the developer.

• The main purpose of these keys is to help prevent piracy.

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Open Source vs. Proprietary

Open Source

• free-to-use software programs. This is known as freeware or open-source software.

• Open source means that the code it's made with can be viewed and even modified by anyone.

• you can change the source code to make the software look or work differently, add on your own features, can redistribute your modified version to others.

• There are some open-source licensing rules you'd need to follow, but they're much less restrictive than rules created by big companies.

• open-source software is usually a collaborative effort.

• One of the most common examples of open-source software is the Linux operating system.

Proprietary

• is made by companies that sell it for profit.

• Some of the well-known companies that make proprietary computer and gaming software are Microsoft, Adobe, Sony, and Oracle.

• To use their products, you need to buy a license and agree to their terms and conditions.

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Piracy

• Software piracy occurs when someone makes or shares copies of a software program without permission.

• It is illegal to use these unauthorized copies, known as pirated copies.

• Pirated software is dangerous because it can have viruses hidden inside, or the program might've been changed in ways that make it less stable and more likely to crash.

• If you use pirated software, you will not get security updates or support for the product.

Installing Software (6.3.4)

1. First, you'll open the program and agree to the license agreement.

2. Next, you're asked where on the system you want it installed.

3. Then, you click to start the installation.

4. Finally, the software installs in a few seconds.

   Sometimes you may need to restart your computer to finalize it. After the software is installed, there are often settings you can change. It's a good idea to adjust these early on to get the best use out of the application.

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Apple Software

Apple computers have three common ways to install software.

• The App Store: The App Store is Apple's official place for iOS and macOS apps, where you can browse through millions of choices. The nice thing is that Apple checks these apps for security and compatibility.

• Installation packages: A lot of Apple software for macOS comes as installation packages with a .pkg file extension. You can download these packages from the developer's website or from websites that aggregate, or collect, software.

• Disk image files: Software might be distributed as a disk image file (.dmg). You can download these files from the developer's website as well. When you open a .dmg file, it mounts a disk image onto your computer. You can then drag and drop the software into your Applications folder to install it.

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Windows Software

• Most files come as an .exe, which is an executable file.

• After you download it, you double-click on the file to start the installation.

• On Windows 11, the software is usually saved in one of two folders: Program Files or Program Files (x86).

• You'll see a series of prompts, like the license terms and choosing the installation location.

The x86 in program files is in reference to 32-bit software, which goes back to the x86 architecture on Intel processors from decades ago.

Removing Software (6.3.6)

• In IT, it's a good practice to remove any unused software.

• This can help you avoid potential threats that could end up harming your network

• Old programs can be a security risk because they might no longer receive updates, and unused software can cause issues with license compliance, so in most cases it's better to just remove it.

• Another reason to remove unused software is to free up storage space on your hard drive, and improve your system's performance.

• If an app is being stubborn and won't uninstall the normal way, which does happen occasionally, you can use special software to help. One of the best tools for this is Revo Uninstaller.

• If a software program stops working, the best solution is often to uninstall it and then reinstall it again. Some programs have a "Repair" option, which can be faster and preserve your custom settings. You might also see a "Change" option, which lets you add or remove parts of the program to your liking.