Think Before You Click: The Online Safety Course

Explore why everyday online decisions matter through an urgent account-message scenario. Learn why pausing before you click is the first step toward safer digital habits.

Understand what cybersecurity means in everyday life and how it relates to your devices, accounts, personal information and online activities.

Explore how social engineering exploits trust, urgency and authority. Recognize requests designed to push you into sharing information or taking an unsafe action.

Understand the digital footprint created by posts, comments, website visits and account sign-ups. Consider what information you share and what services may collect.

Learn the Pause, Verify, Protect method. Practice checking unexpected requests independently and choosing actions that protect your information and accounts.

Put this section into practice with the Digital Identity Mystery mission. Work through five fictional cases: The Unknown Friend, The App Permission, The Unexpected Link, The Free Prize, The Café Wi-Fi. Choose your response before checking the answer reveals, then review the explanation behind each safer choice. Download the mission PPTX and matching achievement badge PDF from this lecture’s resources.

Understand how phishing impersonates trusted people or organizations. Recognize requests for passwords, personal details, unexpected payments and unsafe links.

Explore how fraudulent emails copy familiar logos, layouts and writing styles. Learn why professional appearance alone cannot confirm that a message is genuine.

Recognize scam attempts delivered through SMS, WhatsApp and QR codes. Apply independent verification when familiar communication tools carry unexpected requests.

Identify warning signs in unfamiliar online shops, including misleading offers and unclear seller information. Consider how to check a store before sharing details or paying.

Explore fraudulent recruitment and freelance offers. Learn to verify potential employers and clients before sending money, personal documents or account information.

Examine offers promising easy earnings, unusually high returns or prizes. Recognize pressure and unverified claims before committing money or sharing information.

Practice verifying suspicious messages through a trusted source you open independently. Look beyond logos, sender names and convincing writing when checking a claim.

Put this section into practice with the Scam Detective mission. Work through five fictional cases: The Delivery Text, The Fake Bank Email, The QR Code Poster, The Remote Job Offer, The Prize Winner. Choose your response before checking the answer reveals, then review the explanation behind each safer choice. Download the mission PPTX and matching achievement badge PDF from this lecture’s resources.

Understand what account compromise means and how unauthorized access can affect email, social media, shopping and other services. Recognize why protecting account access matters.

Explore why weak and predictable passwords put accounts at risk. Learn the value of stronger, unique passwords as one part of account protection.

Understand why password reuse creates risk across multiple accounts. Explore how a password manager can support stronger, unique credentials and safer password habits.

Learn why a strong password may still need additional protection. Explore multifactor authentication and other sign-in safeguards against exposed credentials.

Consider what happens when your usual sign-in device is unavailable. Learn why preparing secure recovery methods matters before you lose access to an account.

Put this section into practice with the Account Defender mission. Work through five fictional cases: One Password Everywhere, The Password Manager, Extra Sign-In Protection, The Sign-In Prompt, The Lost Phone. Choose your response before checking the answer reveals, then review the explanation behind each safer choice. Download the mission PPTX and matching achievement badge PDF from this lecture’s resources.

Assess unfamiliar apps and downloaded files before installing them. Check the source, publisher, purpose and need for a download rather than trusting its appearance.

Understand how software updates address security weaknesses, bugs and compatibility issues. Build a habit of using trusted update mechanisms and reviewing security fixes promptly.

Understand what malware is and the harmful or unauthorized actions it can perform. Recognize why trusted downloads and protective device habits matter.

Explore what app permissions allow, from camera and microphone access to contacts and location. Review whether each permission is relevant to the app's purpose.

Understand how backups help when original files become unavailable. Consider which information matters most and why a usable recovery copy needs planning.

Put this section into practice with the Device Guardian mission. Work through five fictional cases: The Free Download, Too Many Permissions, Update Available, The Email Attachment, The Backup Check. Choose your response before checking the answer reveals, then review the explanation behind each safer choice. Download the mission PPTX and matching achievement badge PDF from this lecture’s resources.

Examine the personal details that a post or photograph can reveal beyond its caption. Consider the audience and identifying information before sharing.

Explore who may see your social media information. Review audience and visibility settings rather than assuming that everything you share stays within your friend group.

Learn why a familiar name, profile photo or friendly message does not prove identity. Practice checking unfamiliar or copied profiles through an independent trusted channel.

Understand how location information can reveal your whereabouts and routines. Consider when navigation features are useful and when public location sharing exposes unnecessary details.

Recognize hurtful, threatening and abusive online interactions. Explore safer responses and ways to seek appropriate support when digital communication becomes harmful.

Put this section into practice with the Privacy Detective mission. Work through five fictional cases: The Unknown Follower, The Location Tag, The Public Profile, The Viral Quiz, The Photo Tag. Choose your response before checking the answer reveals, then review the explanation behind each safer choice. Download the mission PPTX and matching achievement badge PDF from this lecture’s resources.

Explore how AI-generated text, images and audio can make deceptive requests more convincing. Focus on verifying the underlying claim rather than trusting polished content.

Understand how images, video and voices can be synthesized or altered. Learn why realistic appearance and familiar sound are not reliable proof of authenticity.

Examine an urgent request that appears to come from someone you know. Practice verifying independently before acting on a familiar-sounding voice or sending money.

Consider the personal and sensitive information that can appear in chatbot prompts. Build a habit of reviewing what you share before sending a request.

Explore the limitations of automated AI-detection results. Use source, context and independent verification instead of treating a detector's output as a final verdict.

Put this section into practice with the Deepfake Detective mission. Work through five fictional cases: The Urgent Voice Note, The Viral Celebrity Clip, The Edited Screenshot, The Familiar Face, The Shocking Headline. Choose your response before checking the answer reveals, then review the explanation behind each safer choice. Download the mission PPTX and matching achievement badge PDF from this lecture’s resources.

Assess an unfamiliar online store before placing an order. Learn why a polished storefront is only one impression and why independent seller checks matter.

Review the recipient, purchase details and payment conditions before confirming a transaction. Practice slowing down when checkout or a seller pressures you to act quickly.

Understand why a screenshot cannot prove that money has reached your account. Verify payments independently through your actual account or trusted payment service.

Explore marketplace fraud risks affecting both buyers and sellers. Check transactions and follow the platform's approved procedures when handling payments and disputes.

Investigate an unfamiliar payment or transaction alert without rushing to conclusions. Check your account independently and use official support when a transaction needs attention.

Put this section into practice with the Payment Safety Investigator mission. Work through five fictional cases: The Unbelievable Discount, The Seller Moves Off-Platform, The Checkout Lookalike, The Unexpected Verification Code, The Payment Alert. Choose your response before checking the answer reveals, then review the explanation behind each safer choice. Download the mission PPTX and matching achievement badge PDF from this lecture’s resources.

Consider the risks and limits of connecting to public Wi-Fi. Verify which network you are joining and make informed choices about the activities you perform on it.

Learn what a website address tells you about where your browser connects. Look beyond page design and familiar logos when assessing a site's legitimacy.

Understand how browser extensions add features and why their permissions matter. Consider the access an extension needs before adding it to your browser.

Review who needs access to a cloud file and what they should be allowed to do. Practice intentional sharing with appropriate viewing and editing permissions.

Understand what VPNs and private browsing can and cannot protect. Avoid treating privacy tools as complete anonymity or protection from every online threat.

Put this section into practice with the Impersonation Investigator mission. Work through five fictional cases: The Familiar Friend Request, The Fake Support Message, The Recruiter in a Hurry, The Group Chat Rumor, The Emergency Money Request. Choose your response before checking the answer reveals, then review the explanation behind each safer choice. Download the mission PPTX and matching achievement badge PDF from this lecture’s resources.

Recognize fake gaming rewards and offers that ask for passwords, codes or payment details. Verify promotions through trusted sources before attempting to claim them.

Understand how in-game purchases and virtual currency can involve real money. Check the cost and payment conditions before confirming a purchase.

Explore why online names, photos and friendly conversations do not confirm a person's real-world identity. Apply safer boundaries when interacting in gaming and online communities.

Explore how families can combine parental controls with trust, guidance and regular conversations. Develop shared understanding around safer digital habits.

Recognize when an online experience calls for support from a trusted person. Learn why asking for help early is useful even when you are unsure what happened.

Put this section into practice with the Family Safety Guide mission. Work through five fictional cases: The Family Group Link, The Fake Bank Helper, The Gaming Gift Trap, The Family Photo Post, The Missing Phone. Choose your response before checking the answer reveals, then review the explanation behind each safer choice. Download the mission PPTX and matching achievement badge PDF from this lecture’s resources.