A+ Computer Systems Design
Design and Configure Privacy-Hardened Systems
No Prerequisites
$2850 - 2.0 Credits
In Person Course
COURSE INFORMATION
Course Dates
A+ Computer Systems Design
TBD
Topics
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Current security and privacy concerns
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Company and Services Risk Assessment
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Alternatives to mainstream software
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Computer hardware components
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Research components for specific requirements or budget
- Benchmark testing
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The Linux operating system
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Online anonymity
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Creating Virtual Machines
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Installing Windows OS in virtual machines
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Removing unnecessary Windows services
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Editing the Registry to Customize and Control Your System
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VPNs - Virtual Private Networks
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Ad Blockers
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AI and your security
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Privacy focused internet browsers
This course is designed to help you better understand how computer systems works and how you can learn to gain more control of your machine. We'll explore the hardware components that make up your system, learn how to evaluate performance, and get hands-on experience installing and configuring different operating systems.
A key focus of this course will be privacy and security. Learning practical ways to adjust settings, manage services, and customize your system so it functions smoothly and respects your security needs.
Of course we'll also be building our hardware system from the ground up, learning about each component and how they work together.
In class we have "test bench" racks that we'll use to assemble our build. This setup allows us to easily test different components as desired.
Our main operating system for this course will be Linux. Linux is a powerful, flexible, and open-source platform that offers a wide range of customization options and control over your system. Many users choose Linux over Windows because it tends to be more privacy-conscious, with fewer built-in features that track or collect data.
Linux is typically considered more secure out of the box, and provides access to a vast repository of other free open source software.
The open-source nature of the Linux Operating System means you can inspect, modify, and improve the system yourself if you wish and never have to feel like you are not allowed into any part of the system you own.
Course Overview
Throughout this course, we’ll work with virtual machines—software that allows you to run an operating system inside your current system, essentially creating a computer within a computer.
Of course we'll also be building our hardware system from the ground up, learning about each component and how they work together.
In class we have "test bench" racks that we'll use to assemble our build. This setup allows us to easily test different components as desired.
Our main operating system for this course will be Linux. Linux is a powerful, flexible, and open-source platform that offers a wide range of customization options and control over your system. Many users choose Linux over Windows because it tends to be more privacy-conscious, with fewer built-in features that track or collect data.
Course Dates
A+ Computer Systems Design
TBD
The Pre-Registration List
To help ease the college registration for our CTECH students we've created a spreadsheet to hold students' place in class while they wait for classes to be scheduled, vouchers to be received, voucher access (I believe it's a month before class), or any other complication in the process. We can add you to the spreadsheet before you get a CTCLink ID, but you will need to have one eventually.
We'll reach out to you as we get closer to the class start date.
If you see a class you'd like to get in, you can contact us to be added to this spreadsheet.
You can also simply email me and I can add you as well.
Damian Cianci
dcianci@edmonds.edu
The Registration Process
Register by phone between 9am and 4pm PDT (This is the easiest way)
425-640-1840
Important - You will need a CTCLink ID number in order for us to help you over the phone or in person. You can follow the steps below to get one.
Fill out an application to Edmonds College:
https://apply.ctc.edu/user
* This can take 1-5 business days to get your ID
A few notes for your application:
Enroll as: "First Year"
Program: "Professional Technical"
Term: "_____" (Season plus year, such as: Spring 2023)
Degree or Certificate: "Undecided - Professional Technical"
Once you have received your CTC Link ID number please let us know and we can get you registered for your class.
Register Online (This is the most complicated way)
Washington State colleges are now using CTCLink for all student services.
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Follow the link below - login in or create an account
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Go to "Student Homepage"
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Choose "Manage Classes"
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"Class Search and Enroll"
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Choose Edmonds College and the quater (Control + F to search page)
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Search for class name or number (Class Number will get you to where you want faster)
Online Registration Login Page - CTCLInk
NOTE - All our classes fall under "Special Topics: Manufacturing".
Click here to get notified of upcoming classes