Computer Questions for SSC MTS

Hardware vs Software

Hardware is the physical machine you can touch—CPU, keyboard, monitor, hard drive. Software is the invisible instructions that tell hardware what to do—Windows, Chrome, MS Word. Think of hardware as a car body and software as the engine that makes it run. SSC MTS always asks 'which is hardware' or 'which is software' with mixed options.

• Hardware: tangible, physical components (motherboard, RAM, SSD, mouse, printer)
• Software: intangible, programs and operating systems (Windows 10, Android, Photoshop)
• Firmware: software stored on hardware (BIOS, device drivers)
• Common trap: confusing a hard drive (hardware) with files stored on it (software/data)

Central Processing Unit (CPU) and Memory

The CPU is the brain of the computer—it processes all instructions. RAM (Random Access Memory) is the computer's short-term memory; it's fast but forgets everything when powered off. ROM (Read-Only Memory) stores permanent instructions like startup code. Storage devices (HDD, SSD) are long-term memory—they keep data even after shutdown. SSC MTS asks which is fastest, which is permanent, and what each does.

• CPU: executes instructions, measured in GHz (gigahertz), higher = faster
• RAM: temporary, volatile, fast access, measured in GB, cleared on shutdown
• ROM: permanent, non-volatile, stores BIOS and boot code, cannot be easily changed
• Storage (HDD/SSD): permanent, slower than RAM, stores files and OS
• Speed order: CPU cache > RAM > SSD > HDD

Input and Output Devices

Input devices send data INTO the computer (keyboard, mouse, scanner, microphone, touchscreen). Output devices receive data FROM the computer (monitor, printer, speaker, headphones). A multifunction printer is both input and output. SSC MTS asks you to classify devices and identify their primary function.

• Input: keyboard, mouse, scanner, microphone, joystick, touchpad, webcam
• Output: monitor, printer, speaker, projector, headphones
• Input-Output (both): touchscreen, printer-scanner combo, modem
• Common error: thinking a printer is input (it's output only)

Operating System (OS)

An OS is software that manages hardware and lets you run other programs. It's the middleman between you and the machine. Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS are all operating systems. The OS handles file management, security, memory, and device drivers. SSC MTS asks which OS is used where and basic OS functions.

• Desktop/Laptop OS: Windows, macOS, Linux
• Mobile OS: Android (Google), iOS (Apple), Windows Phone (discontinued)
• Functions: file management, multitasking, security, device control
• Windows is most common in India; Linux is free and open-source
• Kernel is the core of OS that manages hardware directly

Types of Software

System software (OS, drivers, utilities) manages the computer itself. Application software (Word, Excel, Photoshop, games) does specific tasks for users. Malware (virus, worm, spyware) damages or steals from your computer. Freeware is free; shareware is free but asks for donation; licensed software must be paid for. SSC MTS asks you to classify software by type and purpose.

• System software: OS, device drivers, antivirus, disk cleanup tools
• Application software: MS Office, Adobe suite, browsers, email clients
• Malware: virus (spreads via files), worm (spreads via network), trojan (disguised), spyware (steals data)
• Licensing: freeware (free forever), shareware (free trial then pay), open-source (free + code visible)
• Common mistake: thinking all free software is safe (freeware can have ads/malware)

Internet and Web Basics

The internet is a global network of computers. The web (World Wide Web) is one service on the internet using HTTP/HTTPS. Email, file transfer, and messaging also use the internet but aren't the web. A browser (Chrome, Firefox, Edge) displays web pages. A URL (web address) starts with http:// or https://. SSC MTS asks the difference between internet and web, and basic web terminology.

• Internet: global network, infrastructure (cables, routers, servers)
• Web: service on internet, uses HTTP/HTTPS, accessed via browser
• Browser: software to view web pages (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge)
• URL: web address (example.com), starts with protocol (http/https)
• Email: separate service on internet, uses SMTP/POP3/IMAP protocols
• Cloud storage: files stored on remote servers (Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox)

Common Computer Terms

Bandwidth is the speed of data transfer (measured in Mbps). Download is receiving data; upload is sending. Cache is temporary fast storage. Cookies are small files websites store on your browser to remember you. Backup is a copy of your data for safety. Encryption scrambles data so only authorized people can read it. SSC MTS asks definitions and real-world uses of these terms.

• Bandwidth: data transfer speed, higher = faster internet
• Download/Upload: download = computer receives, upload = computer sends
• Cache: temporary storage for fast access (browser cache, CPU cache)
• Cookies: small files stored by websites to track preferences and login
• Backup: copy of important data stored separately for recovery
• Encryption: scrambling data with a code so only authorized users can read it

• Confusing hardware with software: a monitor is hardware; what displays on it is software/data
• Thinking RAM and storage are the same: RAM is fast but temporary; storage is slow but permanent
• Believing internet and web are identical: web is just one service on the internet
• Assuming all free software is safe: freeware can contain ads, trackers, or malware
• Mixing up input and output: keyboard sends data in (input); printer receives data out (output)
• Not knowing CPU speed matters: GHz (gigahertz) measures CPU speed; higher is faster

• HARDWARE = you can HOLD it (physical). SOFTWARE = SOFT and invisible (programs)
• RAM = Remember And Lose (forgets on shutdown). ROM = Remember Only Manually (permanent)
• INPUT = IN to computer (keyboard, mouse). OUTPUT = OUT from computer (monitor, printer)
• CPU = BRAIN (thinks), RAM = SHORT-TERM MEMORY (forgets), STORAGE = LONG-TERM MEMORY (remembers)
• HTTPS = HTTP Secure (safer web pages have the lock icon)
• MALWARE = MAL (bad) + WARE (software) = bad software

• SSC MTS typically has 2-3 questions on hardware identification (CPU, RAM, storage, peripherals). Memorize which devices are input vs output.
• One question usually asks the difference between internet and web or defines a basic term like bandwidth or cache. Read carefully—the trap is subtle wording.
• OS questions are straightforward: which OS for desktop, which for mobile, what does OS do. Windows is most common in India; know Android for mobile.
• Malware questions ask you to identify virus vs worm vs trojan. Remember: virus spreads via files, worm via network, trojan disguises itself.
• Recent papers show increased focus on cloud storage and email basics. Know what cloud means and that email is separate from the web.
• Time per question: 30-45 seconds. These are definition/concept questions, not calculations. Read the options carefully—two may sound similar.