Introduction
Danger lurks online. Web access, social media, computers, tablets and smart phones expose users to the possibility of fraud and identity theft. Learn the steps to take to avoid being vulnerable to online predators.
Task
Identify and avoid potential online fraud
Process
Digital devices make life simpler in some respects and more complicated in others. For every app that makes your life easier or more interesting there are frauds and scams that can make your life more difficult. While fraudsters continuously create new ways to capture your personal information, using a few simple rules can help anyone be safe online.
- Log responses with agree, disagree, or maybe if... to the following scenarios that best describes your current opinion.
- DIRECTIONS: Check the box next to each statement that best describes your current opinion. In the “Because” section below each explain why you think your answer is correct.
- 1. If you know how, online posts and cell phone texts can be permanently deleted. Agree Disagree Maybe, if… Because:
- 2. Experts say it is “safe” to follow a link in a friend’s email or on a trustworthy website. Agree Disagree Maybe, if… Because:
- 3. Smart phones do not need security software, but your computer and notepad do. Agree Disagree Maybe, if… Because:
- 4. Worms, Trojans and viruses are names for the same thing. Agree Disagree Maybe, if… Because:
- 5. Identity theft is a crime aimed at adults, not teens. Agree Disagree Maybe, if… Because:
- 6. One type of computer malware can log your keystrokes, recording everything you type on your keyboard, including your passwords. Agree Disagree Maybe, if… Because:
- 7. It is more difficult to distinguish between a fake and an authentic webpage on a mobile device than it is on a computer. Agree Disagree
- 8. Most teenagers know what private information to protect when using the Internet. Agree Disagree Maybe, if… Because:
- 9. If you do not open a digital file, there is no risk of infecting your computer or smart phone with a virus. Agree Disagree Maybe, if… Because:
- 10. The three most common passwords used in the United States are “password,” “password1” and “123456.” Agree Disagree Maybe, if…
- When responses are completed, share your responses with your group members. Discuss reasons to support your educated opinions. An “educated opinion” is one that can be explained by using facts. As opinions and facts surface, you may change your responses.
- View Be Safe Online video (see above)
- Review Student Activity-Be Safe Online: Agree, Disagree, Maybe, if…Think about what opinions changed after viewing the video and having the group discussion.
- Define as many words as you can without looking them up. Look up the remaining words, define, and check your own definitions.
- adware
- anti-spyware
- computer forensics
- cybercrime
- spam
- firewall
- hacker
- identity theft
- worm virus
- Trojan
- keystroke
- logger
- malware
- phishing
- ransomware
- smishing
- Respond to discussion questions within your groups. Support your responses with relevant evidence.
- 1. What personal information have you shared online in the past? What prompted you to share?
- 2. Why might a prospective employer be interested in your social networking profile?
- 3. Do you think teenagers or adults are more aware of safeguarding their online information? Explain
Evaluation
- adware Software that has advertisements embedded into the program
- anti-spyware Software that detects and removes spyware from a computer
- computer forensics Investigation and analysis techniques that gather and preserve data from a computing device
- cybercrime Criminal acts using computers, networks and/or the Internet
- spam Electronic junk mail
- firewall Hardware or software that blocks unauthorized communications to or from your computer; helps prevent hackers from accessing your computer
- hacker Person who uses the Internet to access personal or business computers without permission
- identity theft All types of crime in which someone obtains and uses another person's personal data in a way that involves fraud or deception, typically for economic gain
- worm A sub class of virus that can travel without being attached to a program or data file and without human action; a worm can replicate itself thousands of times
- virus Malicious code embedded in a data or program file, spread from one device to another by opening an executable file. A virus is spread by human action
- trojan Malware that appears to be a legitimate program, but when activated often causes loss or theft of computer data
- keystroke logger or keylogger Software that can record every keystroke you make on your computer. Used to record and capture data input. (Keyloggers are often used by employers to insure computer use is work related)
- malware Short for “malicious software;” includes viruses and spyware that steal personal information, send spam and commit fraud
- phishing Email sent that misrepresents the sender as legitimate and with the intent of having the recipient reveal private information that can be used for identity theft
- ransomware Malware that locks a computer system or encrypts computer files until a "ransom" fee is paid
- smishing A variation of phishing using SMS (short message service) to send misleading text messages
- 1. If you know how, online posts and cell phone texts can be permanently deleted. Nothing sent into cyberspace is ever really gone. Files may be deleted from servers, but there is no way to know if they are in storage. Agree Disagree Maybe, if…
- 2. Experts say it is “safe” to follow a link in a friend’s email or on a trustworthy website. Experts say to enter the website you want to visit in your browser. It is safer than clicking through. Agree Disagree Maybe, if…
- 3. Smart phones do not need security software, but your computer and notepad do. Smart phones need security software and system updates just like your computer. Agree Disagree Maybe, if…
- 4. Worms, Trojans and viruses are names for the same thing. They are all forms of malware, but each operates a little differently. Viruses are code embedded in a data or program file. Worms are separate from other applications and run in the background on your computer. Trojans are sneaky, you think they are one thing, but they are something else that is purposely designed to cause problems. Agree Disagree Maybe, if…
- 5. Identity theft is a crime aimed at adults, not teens. Identity thieves steal information from people of all ages. Your personal information can create an identity for someone else to use for many purposes. Agree Disagree Maybe, if…
- 6. One type of computer malware can log your keystrokes, recording everything you type on your keyboard, including your passwords. Keystroke loggers want to steal your private information and use it for their gain. Agree Disagree Maybe, if…
- 7. It is more difficult to distinguish between a fake and an authentic webpage on a mobile device than it is on a computer. On a mobile device, the screen is small and it is difficult to see the entire URL bar, the main piece of information that could alert you to phishing. Agree Disagree Maybe, if…
- 8. Most teenagers know what private information to protect when using the Internet. You would never reveal your social security or bank account numbers, but teenagers routinely reveal birthdates, addresses and unique information that is very helpful to an identity thief. Agree Disagree Maybe, if…
- 9. If you do not open a digital file, there is no risk of infecting your computer or smart phone with a virus. Viruses and malware can enter your devices in a wide variety of sneaky ways. It is important to have and update security software. Agree Disagree Maybe, if…
- 10. The three most common passwords used in the United States are “password,” “password1” and “123456.” These most common passwords are an invitation to hackers.
- *Accept reasonable responses
Conclusion
You learned how to identify and avoid potential online fraud
Credits
Teacher Page
Students will work together to learn how to identify and avoid potential online fraud