Cyber Security Terms
You get an email that looks urgent — your bank account might be locked! It asks you to "click this link and confirm your password." It looks real, but it’s a trick. What cyber threat is this?
Phishing
You click on a website and this message pops up. “Congrats! You’ve won a $100 gift card—just click here and enter your details.”
A Scam
You download a free app that asks for access to your contacts, location, and camera—even though it’s just a flashlight. What should you do?
Deny permissions and delete the app
A teammate you just met in Fortnite offers to gift you skins or V-Bucks if you give them your Epic username and email.
Red Flag!
Spending a long time endlessly scrolling through bad news, upsetting posts, or mindless entertainment without stopping is called what?
Doomscrolling
Your device starts acting weird — crashing, running slow, or showing pop-ups. You downloaded a “free game” last night from a sketchy website. What likely infected your device?
Malware
You get a text from an unknown number stating that they work for a company and is looking for to hire someone. The company has great benefits, and can make a ton of money.
A Scam
You post a selfie with your school ID card. The selfie now shows your name, your school, and your grade. Why is that bad?
Someone can misuse and steal that information. With targeted scams, and safety risks.
A contact never tags you in posts or stories without asking first, respecting your digital boundaries quietly.
Green Flag
What are some signs that you need to take a screen break?
When you feel restless, tired, distracted, or irritable
A new student account follows a bunch of people from your school. Their bio says they’re “transferring in next semester,” and they don't post any photos of themselves. They start replying to people’s stories with funny comments, acting friendly, and even asking about teachers or school rules. No one has actually met them in real life. What could this be an example of?
Catfishing
A friend DM's you with a link saying "you have to check this out! I think this is you".
Could be a scam!
You use the same password for your social media, email, and gaming accounts. What’s the privacy risk here?
If someone hacks into one account then they can access all of them. Especially if you do not have 2FA
Someone keeps sending you disappearing messages on Snapchat and gets mad if you screenshot them.
Red Flag
Experts suggest that you should stop screen time use for ____ minutes before bed, so that you have a better sleep.
30 - 60 Minutes
This security tool makes it way harder for someone to break into your account. Even if they steal your password, they’d still need access to your phone or email. What is it?
two-factor authentication (2FA)
You get an email from Netflix stating that you've requested to have your password reset. If you don't think this is you click the following link to update your security features.
Could be a Scam
You're at West Edmonton Mall in the Food Court and you want to connect to the Wi-Fi so you can watch TikToks. You connect to the first Wi-Fi network you see, why might that be a security risk?
If you connect to unsecure Wi-Fi Network hackers are able to access your data. It's as if they are watching what you are doing over your shoulder.
A new follower messages you saying they “saw your profile on the explore page” and wants to chat. Their account has a few photos and over 1,000 followers
Red Flag
Instead of scrolling through social media when stressed, what’s a better self-care activity?
Doing something active, painting, breathing / meditation.
Everything you post, like, search, or even delete — it might still exist somewhere online. Colleges, employers, and even strangers can find it. What’s this trail of information called?
Digital Footprint
You receive a coupon email from a store you shop at frequently, offering 20% off your next purchase. The email has correct branding and the email address looks correct.
Not a scam.
You let someone follow you on Instagram because they follow a few people from your school — but you don’t actually know them. Why might this be risky?
They could be a fake account, trying to get information for you based on what you post or tagged in.
A friend makes a private story and only adds a few people. It’s mostly jokes and harmless updates. You’re not sure why you’re included.
Green Flag!
Why is it important to balance online socializing with offline activities for mental well-being?
Because offline interaction helps build deeper connections and reduces the negative effects of screen overuse?