Course: CompTIA IT Fundamentals+ (FCO-U61)

Computers are an integral part of our lives, both personally and professionally. In a few short decades, they have become so indispensable that understanding how they work and how to use them has become imperative. In this course, you will be introduced to basic information technology (IT) concepts, beginning with common numbering systems used by computers and the two international data standards. Then you will explore the character and numerical data types used in computer programming. Finally, you will learn about the basics of computer processing, inputs and outputs, the role of computer storage, and how it works. This course helps prepare learners for the CompTIA IT Fundamentals (ITF+) certification exam, FC0-U61.

What goes on under the hood of computers is a marvel of human ingenuity that most people don't stop to consider, even though computers are never far away in our professional or private lives. In this course, you will explore the basics of data, CPUs, and troubleshooting, beginning with an overview of data and information as assets, intellectual property and digital products, and data-driven business decisions. Then you will discover processors, data storage measurements, and throughput measurements. Finally, you will focus on troubleshooting, including the methodology used for preventing, detecting, and remedying the problem. This course helps prepare learners for the CompTIA IT Fundamentals (ITF+) certification exam, FC0-U61.

By modern standards, computer setups are no longer as simple as requiring a box, keyboard, mouse, and monitor. Other peripherals in the past were optional and not nearly as common as they are now. In this course, explore concepts for computer devices and components, such as the basics of computer networking. Next, learn about various peripherals, including setup steps and installation methods. Finally, examine the insides of computers with an overview of motherboards, BIOS and firmware, CPUs and RAM, storage types, cooling systems, and network interface cards (NICs). This course helps prepare learners for the CompTIA IT Fundamentals (ITF+) certification exam, FC0-U61.

When computers first hit the scene, they were a marvel and a mystery to most individuals, but accessibility improvements over time allowed them to become moderately more useful. They then began to extraordinarily change the world with the advent of the Internet. In this course, discover the role and features of the Internet, storage, and computer systems, beginning with the various Internet connection technologies and computer storage types. Next, learn about the various types of computers and the features of mobile phones, tablet devices, and gaming systems. Finally, explore an overview of the Internet of Things (IoT) and the technological advances that enable IoT. This course helps prepare learners for the CompTIA IT Fundamentals (ITF+) certification exam, FC0-U61.

Computers are immensely useful tools that continue to change the world we live in. Arguably, they would be far less useful without the marvels that are computer networking and wireless technologies. In this course, explore concepts surrounding networking and wireless technologies, including the basics of networking and Internet protocols. Next, learn about the common protocols used every day for browsing the Internet and sending emails. Finally, examine networking devices, firewalls, and wireless technologies, as well as considerations for wireless quality and wireless best practices. This course helps prepare learners for the CompTIA IT Fundamentals (ITF+) certification exam, FC0-U61.

Computers need software to function, and that software has changed fundamentally since the very first computers were created. Nowadays, sophisticated operating systems (OSs) are used to perform everyday tasks. In this course, learn about computer operating systems, including the types and basic features of OSs and the application hardware interface. Next, explore Windows management, including managing applications, devices, users, and access control. Finally, investigate file systems, key OS features, task scheduling, and common methods for tweaking a Windows OS, including using command line interfaces (CLIs) to perform operations. This course helps prepare learners for the CompTIA IT Fundamentals (ITF+) certification exam, FC0-U61.

Computers are wonderful tools that require hardware to operate but need software and operating systems to truly sing. At one time, software was a rare commodity, but today we are faced with a wealth of choices for performing business or personal tasks. In this course, you will explore the basics of computer software concepts, beginning with various kinds of software (productivity, collaboration, and business) and application delivery methods. Then you will learn about architectural models, single-platform and cross-platform software, software licensing, and software installation best practices. Next, you will discover the ins and outs of web browsers, focusing on clearing caches, client-side and server-side scripting, and browser extensions. Finally, you will examine browser configuration and find out how to block popups and scripts. This course helps prepare learners for the CompTIA IT Fundamentals (ITF+) certification exam, FC0-U61.

Computer software is wonderful, but what makes it tick? Non-programmers might be interested to learn some of the basics of software development and how the magic is made. In this course, you will explore software development concepts, beginning with the basics of scripting, markup, programming, assembly, and query languages. Then you will delve into some of the tools used by programmers to map out program flow, including flowcharts, pseudocode, and sequence diagrams. Finally, you will discover common programming concepts, including branching and looping, variables and constants, arrays and vectors, functions, and object-oriented programming (OOP). This course helps prepare learners for the CompTIA IT Fundamentals (ITF+) certification exam, FC0-U61.

Computers require hardware and software to operate, but they also rely on data to be truly useful. Data comes in many forms and is an invaluable commodity in today's world. In order to make data useful, we use databases. In this course, you will learn about the basics of databases, beginning with what they are and how they're structured. Then you will dig into the common types of databases, database records, and basic database creation. Finally, you will explore database management systems, data manipulation and access methods, dumps and backups, and how to import and export databases. This course helps prepare learners for the CompTIA IT Fundamentals (ITF+) certification exam, FC0-U61.

Computer data is created at a rate that we can barely comprehend. Much of that information is immensely useful and readily available to anyone, but there is a large contingent of information that is and should remain confidential. In this course, you will explore the CIA triad, beginning with the principle of least privilege and concerns surrounding confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Then you will learn about methods for protecting information, including antivirus and antimalware software, firewalls, password security, and safe browsing. Finally, you will discover the importance of patching and updates, best practices for device security, and removing unwanted software. This course helps prepare learners for the CompTIA IT Fundamentals (ITF+) certification exam, FC0-U61.

In an information age, privacy and security are of paramount importance. We've seen numerous examples of the damage done when information is compromised. With this in mind, organizations spend vast resources to keep information safe and secure for good reason. In this course, you will learn about privacy and encryption, beginning with the basics of Internet and computing privacy. Then you'll explore software and network privacy considerations, security policies and procedures, regulations and considerations for handling information, and password best practices. Finally, you'll delve into encryption technologies and the importance of protecting data at rest and data in transit. This course helps prepare learners for the CompTIA IT Fundamentals (ITF+) certification exam, FC0-U61.

Accessing information is something we all do in our professional and private lives. Regardless of the purpose for accessing this information, the information must be secure and capable of being recovered should a disastrous situation arise. In this course, you will learn about authentication and disaster recovery concepts, beginning with the AAA framework and authentication, authorization, and accounting. Then you'll discover important methods used to protect access to information, including passwords, PINs, multi-factor authentication (MFA), and biometrics. Finally, you'll explore fault tolerance, high availability, and the importance of storage location, contingency planning, and disaster recovery. This course helps prepare learners for the CompTIA IT Fundamentals (ITF+) certification exam, FC0-U61.