Google Sheets: Features, Functions, and Comparison with Microsoft Excel

What is Google Sheets?

o Google Sheets is a free, cloud-based spreadsheet tool offered by Google.

o It allows users to create, edit, and store spreadsheets online, accessible from any device
with internet access.
o Offers real-time collaboration and seamless integration with other Google services.

Parts of Google Sheets

1. Spreadsheet Structure:
o Cells: The basic building blocks where data is entered. Identified by a combination of
a letter (for columns) and a number (for rows) — e.g., A1, B2.
o Rows and Columns: Organize data in a grid layout. Columns are vertical, and rows
are horizontal.
o Sheet Tabs: At the bottom of the sheet, multiple tabs can be used to separate different
datasets within a single document.
2. Toolbar:

o Located at the top, containing buttons for common actions like bold, italics, font size,
and alignment.

o Includes options to insert functions, create charts, format cells, and more.

3. Formula Bar:
o Displays the content of the active cell and is used to enter or edit formulas and
data.

4. Menus (File, Edit, View, Insert, etc.):

o Provide access to a wide range of features (file management, data sorting,
formatting options, etc.).
 5. Gridlines:
o Visual lines that separate the cells. These can be adjusted or removed for clarity.

Uses of Google Sheets

1. Collaborative Work:
o Real-time collaboration.
o Cloud-based: Access from anywhere with an internet connection.
2. Data Organization:
o Storing and sorting data for analysis.
o Personal and business applications.
3. Project Management:
o Task tracking, timelines, Gantt charts.
4. Financial Management:
o Budgets, expense tracking, financial reports.
5. Data Analysis:
o Using functions and pivot tables to analyze data.
Key Functions and Features of Google Sheets

1) Basic Functions:
o SUM: Adds up values in a range (e.g., =SUM (A1:A10)).
o AVERAGE: Calculates the average of a range (e.g., =AVERAGE (B1:B10)).
o COUNT: Counts the number of cells with numbers (e.g., =COUNT (C1:C10)).
o MAX/MIN: Finds the maximum or minimum value in a range (e.g., =MAX (D1:D10))

2) Advanced Functions:
o VLOOKUP/HLOOKUP: Used for looking up values in large datasets (e.g.,
=VLOOKUP ("Apple", A1:B10, 2, FALSE)).
o INDEX/MATCH: A more flexible and powerful alternative to VLOOKUP.
o IF Statements: Conditional logic (e.g., =IF(A1 > 100, "Yes", "No")).

3) Collaboration Features:
o Commenting, sharing, and version history.

4) Integration with Google Apps:

o Google Forms: Easily import responses from Google Forms into Google Sheets for
analysis.
o Google Drive: Save, store, and access Sheets in the cloud.

5) Charts and Graphs:

o Built-in charting tools allow users to create visual representations of data, such as bar
charts, pie charts, line graphs, etc.

6) Add-ons and Extensions:

o Google Sheets supports third-party add-ons, which extend its functionality (e.g.,
advanced analytics tools or connectors to external data sources).
Google Sheets Keyboard Shortcuts
 Efficiency-Boosting Shortcuts:
1. Editing Shortcuts:
 Ctrl + C: Copy
 Ctrl + V: Paste
 Ctrl + X: Cut
 Ctrl + Shift + V: Paste values only
2. Formatting Shortcuts:
 Ctrl + B: Bold
 Ctrl + I: Italic
 Ctrl + U: Underline
 Ctrl + Shift + L: Add/remove filters
3. Navigation Shortcuts:
 Ctrl + Arrow Key: Jump to the edge of data
 Ctrl + Shift + Arrow Key: Select entire range to the edge
Google Sheets vs. Microsoft Excel

Strengths of Google Sheets

o Real-Time Collaboration: Easy to work together with teams.

o Cost-Effective: Free and cloud-based.
o Integration with Google Ecosystem: Seamless with other Google apps.
o Simple to Use: Accessible for beginners with a user-friendly interface.
Strengths of Microsoft Excel

o Advanced Features: Powerful for data analysis and automation (VBA).

o Data Processing: Handles large datasets with more speed and efficiency.
o Complex Functions: Wide array of advanced formulas and statistical tools.
o Customization: Better for advanced users needing customized reports.
Basic Functions

1. SUM

 Description: Adds up a range of numbers.

 Syntax: =SUM(range)

 Example: =SUM(A1:A5) will sum all values from cells A1 to A5.

2. AVERAGE
 Description: Calculates the average (mean) of a set of numbers.

 Syntax: =AVERAGE(range)

 Example: =AVERAGE(B1:B5) will calculate the average of values in cells B1 to

B5.

3. IF
 Description: Returns one value if a condition is true, and another if it's false.

 Syntax: =IF(condition, value_if_true, value_if_false)

 Example: =IF(A1 > 10, "Yes", "No") will return "Yes" if A1 is greater than 10,
and "No" otherwise.
4. VLOOKUP

 Description: Looks up a value in a vertical column and returns a

corresponding value from another column.
 Syntax: =VLOOKUP(search_key, range, index, [is_sorted])

 Example: =VLOOKUP("Apple", A1:B10, 2, FALSE) looks for "Apple" in the

first column (A1:A10) and returns the corresponding value from the second
column (B1:B10).
5. CONCATENATE

 Description: Joins two or more strings of text together.

 Syntax: =CONCATENATE(string1, string2, ...)

 Example: =CONCATENATE(A1, " ", B1) combines the values in cells A1

and B1 with a space in between.
6. LEN
 Description: Returns the number of characters in a text string.
  Syntax: =LEN(text)

 Example: =LEN(A1) will return the number of characters in cell A1.

7. COUNT
 Description: Counts the number of numeric values in a range.

 Syntax: =COUNT(range)

 Example: =COUNT(A1:A10) counts how many cells in the range A1:A10 contain
numbers.

8. MAX

 Description: Returns the highest value in a range.

 Syntax: =MAX(range)

 Example: =MAX(A1:A5) will return the highest value from cells A1 to A5.

9. MIN

 Description: Returns the lowest value in a range.

 Syntax: =MIN(range)

 Example: =MIN(B1:B5) will return the lowest value from cells B1 to B5.

10. NOW
 Description: Returns the current date and time.

 Syntax: =NOW()

 Example: =NOW() will return the current date and time based on your system's
clock.

11. TODAY
 Description: Returns the current date (without time).

 Syntax: =TODAY()

 Example: =TODAY() will return the current date.

12. ROUND
 Description: Rounds a number to a specified number of decimal places.

 Syntax: =ROUND(number, number_of_digits)

 Example: =ROUND(A1, 2) rounds the value in A1 to two decimal places.

13. SUMIF
 Description: Adds up the values in a range that meet a specified condition.

 Syntax: =SUMIF(range, criterion, [sum_range])

 Example: =SUMIF(A1:A10, "Sales", B1:B10) will sum the values in B1:B10 where the
corresponding value in A1:A10 is "Sales."
14. COUNTIF
 Description: Counts the number of cells in a range that meet a specific condition.

 Syntax: =COUNTIF(range, criterion)

 Example: =COUNTIF(A1:A10, ">100") counts how many values in A1:A10 are greater
than 100.

Computer and Internet Crime: I.T Security Incidents, Types of Attacks, and
Perpetrators Introduction
 Definition of Computer and Internet Crime:
o Computer and Internet Crime involves illegal activities like hacking, data theft, fraud,
and other crimes done through computers or the internet.
 Importance of IT Security in Today’s World:
o As businesses and personal information shift to digital platforms, cybercrime
becomes a major threat. More and more information is stored online, making it a
target for cyber-attacks. Cybersecurity is essential to protect personal data, business
systems or financial system, and public services from cybercriminals.
Overview
1) I.T. Security Incidents: Incidents where a system is breached.
2) Types of Cyber Attacks: Various methods hackers use.
3) Cybercrime Perpetrators: Who commits these crimes.

I.T. Security Incidents

 What is an I.T. Security Incident?
o An I.T. security incident happens when an unauthorized person gains access to
systems, data, or networks, causing potential harm.
 Examples of Common Security Incidents:
o Data Breaches: Private information (like credit card numbers) is stolen.
 Example: Yahoo (2013): Hackers stole data from 3 billion accounts.
o Malware Infections: Software that damages or steals data.
 Example: WannaCry (2017): A ransomware that locked users' data.
o Denial of Service (DoS): Overloading a server to make it crash.
 Example: Attackers targeted GitHub (2018), causing site outages.

Common Types of Cyber Attacks

 Phishing:
o Fake emails or websites trick users into revealing personal info.
o Example: Fake email asking for account info, pretending to be from your bank.
 Malware:
o Malicious software that harms your computer or steals
information. Types:
  Viruses: Malicious software that replicates itself and infects other programs.
 Trojans: Software disguised as legitimate software that gives hackers
unauthorized access.
 Ransomware: Locks or encrypts files and demands payment to unlock.
 Spyware: Software designed to monitor user activity.
 DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service):
o A flood of traffic is sent to a server, overwhelming it and causing downtime.
o Example: Dyn Attack (2016): Disrupted services like Twitter and Netflix.
 SQL Injection:
o Attackers insert malicious code into databases to steal or manipulate data.
 o Example: Heartland Payment Systems (2008): Hackers used SQL injection to
steal card information.
 Man-in-the-Middle (MITM):
o Hackers intercept communications between two parties to steal data.
o Example: Wi-Fi networks where hackers can intercept your email login details.
 Zero-Day Exploits:
o Description: Attacks that target vulnerabilities in software that have not yet been
discovered or patched.
o Example: Stuxnet (2010): Targeted Iran’s nuclear facilities by exploiting a zero-day
vulnerability.

Phishing and Social Engineering

 How Phishing Works:
o Attackers craft fake emails or websites that mimic legitimate ones (e.g., a bank or
social media platform) to trick users into revealing personal information like
passwords and credit card numbers.
 Examples of Phishing Attacks:
o The PayPal Phishing Scam: An email that appears to be from PayPal asking the user
to click on a link to resolve a fake issue.
 Best Practices to Avoid Phishing:
o Never click on links from untrusted sources.
o Always verify URLs before entering sensitive info (e.g., checking for “https://”).
o Use multi-factor authentication (MFA) for extra protection.

Malware Attacks
 Types of Malware:
1. Viruses: Software that attaches itself to files or programs to spread and cause
damage.
 Example: ILOVEYOU Virus (2000) – A virus that spread via email, causing
$10 billion in damages.
2. Trojans: Malware disguised as legitimate software.
 Example: Emotet Trojan (2019) – Used to steal banking information and
spread ransomware.
3. Ransomware: Encrypts data/Locks files and demands a ransom to unlock them.
 Example: CryptoLocker (2013) – Ransomware that demanded payment in
Bitcoin to decrypt files.
4. Spyware: Secretly monitors your activity without your consent.
 Example: CoolWebSearch – A spyware program that hijacked browser
settings.
 How Malware Spreads: Through email attachments, malicious downloads, or infected
websites.

DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service) Attacks

 Explanation of DDoS Attacks:
o Attackers flood a server with excessive traffic, making the website or service
unavailable to users.
 Impact on Businesses and Websites:
o Disrupts operations, damages reputation, and leads to financial losses.
 Case Studies of Significant DDoS Attacks:
 o GitHub DDoS Attack (2018): The largest DDoS attack at the time, reaching 1.35 Tbps
of traffic.
 Preventive Measures:
o Use cloud services like Cloudflare to absorb excessive traffic.
o Set up rate limiting to block excessive requests from a single source.

SQL Injection and Web Vulnerabilities

 What is SQL Injection?
o SQL injection allows attackers to run malicious code on a website’s database
through unsecured input fields.
 How Attackers Exploit Vulnerable Websites:
o For example, they could manipulate a login form to gain access to user data.
 Prevention Techniques:
o Always use parameterized queries to avoid SQL injection.
o Regularly check and update website security.
 Real-World Example:
o Heartland Payment Systems (2008): Attackers used SQL injection to steal
millions of credit card numbers.

Man-in-the-Middle (MITM) Attacks

 Explanation of MITM Attacks:
o A MITM attack happens when a hacker intercepts communication between two
parties without their knowledge.
 How Attackers Intercept Communications:
o Example: On public Wi-Fi, hackers can capture emails and login info sent over
unencrypted channels.
 Examples of MITM Attacks:
o Freak Attack (2015): Hackers intercepted secure connections using a flaw in SSL
encryption.
 Protection Strategies:
o Use SSL/TLS encryption for secure communication.
o Avoid using public Wi-Fi for sensitive transactions or use a VPN.

What are Zero-Day Exploits?

o These attacks target software vulnerabilities that the developer hasn't fixed yet
(because they are unknown to the developer).
 Why Zero-Day Exploits Are Dangerous:
o They are difficult to prevent because there’s no patch or fix yet.
 How Attackers Use Zero-Day Exploits:
o Example: Stuxnet used zero-day vulnerabilities to infect Iran’s nuclear program.
 Preventive Measures:
o Regularly apply software patches and updates.
o Use intrusion detection systems (IDS) to spot suspicious behavior early.

Perpetrators of Cybercrime
 Hackers:
o Skilled individuals or groups who attack systems for personal or financial gain.
o Example: Anonymous, a hacker group known for politically motivated attacks.
 Cybercriminal Organizations:
o Well-organized groups that carry out cybercrime for financial gain.
o Example: REvil Ransomware Group – A cybercriminal group known for
extorting money through ransomware.
 Insiders:
o Employees or contractors misusing their access for malicious purposes.
o Example: Edward Snowden – A former NSA contractor who leaked classified
government data.

Motivations Behind Cybercrime

 Financial Gain:
o Cybercriminals often steal data or deploy ransomware to get money.
 Political Activism (Hacktivism):
o A hacktivist group protesting government censorship.
 Corporate Espionage:
o Stealing trade secrets or confidential business data.
 Revenge or Personal Vendettas:
o Employees or individuals seeking revenge may target companies or people.
 National Security Threats:
o Cyberattacks from one country’s government targeting another.

Impact of Cybercrime
 Financial Losses:
o Global Financial Impact: Cybercrime causes substantial financial damage worldwide.
 Reputational Damage:
o Loss of Trust: A cyber-attack can severely damage the trust customers have in a
business or organization, often leading to loss of customers and partners.
 Legal and Regulatory Consequences:
o Fines and Penalties: Many countries have laws that require companies to protect
consumer data. A breach of these laws often results in hefty fines.
 Data Privacy and Identity Theft
o Stolen Personal Data: When personal information like social security numbers,
credit card details, and health records are stolen, it can lead to identity theft and
fraud.
 Disruption of Services
o Service Interruptions: Cyberattacks, especially DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service),
can bring down critical services like banking, healthcare, and government systems,
causing widespread disruption.
 Psychological and Emotional Impact
o Victims of Cybercrime: Individuals who fall victim to cybercrime, especially scams
and identity theft, may experience emotional distress, anxiety, and a sense of
violation.
Preventive Measures and Best Practices
  Strong Password Policies & Multi-Factor Authentication:
o Use strong, unique passwords and enable MFA for extra protection.
 Regular Software & System Updates:
o Keep systems and software updated to prevent exploitation of known
vulnerabilities.
 Employee Training & Awareness:
o Train employees to spot phishing emails and other scams.
 Firewalls & Intrusion Detection Systems:
o Use firewalls to block unauthorized access and IDS to protect against
unauthorized access.
 Secure Coding Practices:
Developers should follow best practices to prevent coding vulnerabilities.