CyberSafe - Online Safety Education

Understanding Cybersecurity

Learn the essentials of protecting yourself in the digital world

What is Cybersecurity?

Cybersecurity is the practice of protecting computers, servers, mobile devices, electronic systems, networks, and data from malicious attacks, damage, or unauthorized access.

Protects your personal information
Prevents identity theft and financial loss
Keeps your devices safe from malware
Safeguards national security infrastructure

Common Threats

Understanding different types of cyber threats is the first step in protecting yourself online.

Malware: Malicious software like viruses, worms, and ransomware
Phishing: Fake emails/messages tricking you to reveal information
Social Engineering: Manipulating people to give up confidential info
Man-in-the-Middle: Hackers intercepting communications

91%

of cyber attacks start with a phishing email

$4.35M

Average cost of a data breach in 2022

Secure Practices

• Use strong, unique passwords

• Enable two-factor authentication

• Keep software updated

• Use secure Wi-Fi connections

Risky Behaviors

• Using public Wi-Fi for banking

• Clicking suspicious links

• Sharing passwords

• Ignoring software updates

Online Fraud Awareness

Recognize and protect yourself from common online scams

Phishing Scams

Phishing is a cybercrime where targets are contacted by email, telephone, or text message by someone posing as a legitimate institution to lure individuals into providing sensitive data.

Fake emails from "banks" or "government agencies"
Links to fake login pages that steal credentials
Urgent messages requiring immediate action
Malicious attachments disguised as invoices or documents

Online Shopping Scams

Fake online stores or sellers that take your money but never deliver the products, or deliver counterfeit items.

Prices that seem too good to be true
Requests for unusual payment methods (gift cards, wire transfers)
Websites without proper contact information
Lack of secure payment options (no "https://")

Romance Scams

Scammers create fake profiles on dating sites or social media to form relationships, then ask for money for emergencies, travel, or medical expenses.

Quickly professing love or strong feelings
Avoiding video calls or in-person meetings
Asking for money for emergencies or travel
Requesting gift cards or wire transfers

Tech Support Scams

Scammers pretend to be from legitimate tech companies and claim your computer has a virus or problem, then charge for unnecessary services or install malware.

Unsolicited calls about computer problems
Pop-up warnings with phone numbers to call
Requests to download remote access software
Demands for payment for "fixing" non-existent problems

1 in 3

people have been victims of online fraud or know someone who has

Online Safety Tips

Practical do's and don'ts to keep yourself safe online

DO - Password Best Practices

Use passwords with at least 12 characters including uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and symbols
Create unique passwords for each important account (email, banking, social media)
Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) whenever available
Use a reputable password manager to generate and store passwords
Change passwords immediately if a service you use has a data breach

DON'T - Password Mistakes

Use personal information (names, birthdays, pet names)
Use common sequences like "123456" or "password"
Reuse the same password across multiple sites
Write passwords on sticky notes or share them with others
Use dictionary words without modifications

DO - Email Safety

Check sender email addresses carefully (look for misspellings)
Hover over links to see the actual URL before clicking
Look for spelling and grammar errors (common in phishing emails)
Use spam filters and report phishing emails to your provider
Verify unexpected attachments with the sender before opening

DON'T - Email Dangers

Open attachments from unknown senders (could contain malware)
Click on links in unexpected emails asking for personal information
Reply to emails that create a sense of urgency or fear
Provide passwords, SSN, or financial details via email
Believe emails promising unexpected money or prizes

DO - Safe Online Shopping

Shop only on secure websites (look for "https://" and padlock icon)
Research sellers before making purchases (check reviews)
Use credit cards instead of debit cards for better fraud protection
Keep records of purchases and confirmations
Use strong passwords for shopping accounts

DON'T - Shopping Scams

Shop on public Wi-Fi networks (use cellular data or VPN)
Believe prices that are too good to be true
Use payment methods that don't offer fraud protection
Shop on sites with no contact information or physical address
Save payment information on shopping sites

Real-Life Scenarios

Practice identifying safe responses to common online situations

You receive an email from your "bank" saying there's a problem with your account and you need to click a link to verify your information. The email looks legitimate with the bank's logo. What do you do?

Correct Approach: Option 3 - Contact your bank directly using the phone number on their official website.

Why: Banks never ask for sensitive information via email links. Phishing emails often look legitimate with correct logos but lead to fake websites designed to steal your login credentials. Always contact organizations directly through verified contact information from their official website or your account statements.

You're playing an online game and someone offers you free in-game currency if you download and run a special program. They claim it's a "hack" that works. What do you do?

Correct Approach: Option 3 - Ignore the offer and report the user to game moderators.

Why: Programs promising free in-game currency are often malware in disguise. They can steal your account information, install viruses, give hackers access to your device, or violate game terms resulting in account bans. Legitimate games don't require external programs for currency, and using hacks violates terms of service.

A new person you met on social media asks for your phone number after just a few messages. They seem nice and have mutual friends. What do you do?

Correct Approach: Option 3 - Politely decline and continue chatting on the platform.

Why: Personal information like phone numbers can be used for harassment, identity theft, SIM swapping attacks, or social engineering. Even with mutual friends, it's safer to keep conversations within the platform until you've established genuine trust over time. If they're legitimate, they'll understand your privacy concerns.

Stay Safe Online with CyberSafe