Think Before You Click (Cybersecurity)

Is it real or is it a trap? Learn how to protect yourself from cybercriminals!

Created byBigger Brains

Last updated 1/2025

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What you'll learn

Describe the threats from cybercriminals which target your devices and yourself
Define cybersecurity terms including phishing, vishing, ransomware, sextortion, social engineering, and botnets
List benefits cybercriminals hope to achieve by attacking people and devices
Describe the role played by hardware, software, priviliege level, and updates in protecting your computer
Identify at least three characteristics of a “strong” password
Explain the 3-2-1 backup strategy and how it protects from ransomware
List at least three ways criminals hope to get access to your computer
Discuss the role of clickbait and social engineering in cybersecurity attacks

Course content

1 section • 9 lectures • 55m total length

Introduction2:18
Ken Dwight and Lisa Lopez emphasize awareness of pervasive cyber threats, covering phishing, email scams, infected websites, and other ways criminals can compromise computers that target individuals and organizations.
Types of Threats9:13
Identify threats like phishing, spear-phishing, ransomware, sextortion, and CEO fraud, and learn how social engineering and malware such as viruses, worms, trojans, spyware, and botnets threaten individuals and organizations.
Protecting Your Computer7:28
Practice layered protection from hardware to software, using firewalls, routers, switches, and a security suite, while running with non-administrative accounts and keeping updates and firmware current.
Strong Passwords6:26
Learn to create unique, 14-17 character passwords with mixed case, numbers, and symbols; avoid dictionary words, update every 30-90 days, and use a reputable password manager.
Social Engineering2:52
Learn to identify social engineering in phishing emails by recognizing fear, greed, curiosity, and FOMO, and spot red flags to protect confidential information.
Backups3:34
Learn to protect data with a 3-2-1 backup strategy: three copies in two locations, with one offsite or cloud, and regular restoration tests to counter ransomware.
Clickbait6:13
Explore how clickbait and phishing emails entice clicks using urgent, verify your account, and bank name subject lines, plus risky attachments and macros that malware relies on.
Protecting Yourself11:32
Protect yourself by recognizing phishing, malvertising, and social engineering, hover over links to verify destinations, beware shortened urls, and adopt a multi-layered approach to stay safe online.
Red Flags6:22
Recognize threats at home and on public Wi-Fi, especially from IoT devices with default passwords, and think before you click to avoid scams.
Knowledge Check

Requirements

Basic Computer Knowledge

Description

Is it real or is it a trap? Learn how to protect yourself from cybercriminals!

Hundreds of times per day, cybercriminals are attempting to access your computer or your data, often by tricking you with fake emails, fake links, or even fake phone calls and voicemails. How do you know what’s real and what you should avoid?

In this course, IT security expert, Ken Dwight, aka “The Virus Doctor”, will walk you through the world of cybersecurity, including all the attacks, techniques, and strategies the bad guys use every day to try and make us click without thinking.

Along with Microsoft trainer Lisa Lopez, Ken will cover the critical topics everyone needs to know.

Topics covered include:

Learning the types of attacks users face every day
Learning the threats posed by Phishing, Spear-Phishing, Spyware, Ransomware, and Sextortion
Learning what criminals hope to gain by attacking you and your devices
Discovering ways you can protect yourself and your computer
Knowing the characteristics of a strong password
Learning backup strategies to protect your data from ransomware attacks
Learning social engineering techniques that criminals use to prey on your emotions, so you let your guard down and allow them into your accounts

With real life examples culled from over 20 years in IT security, “The Virus Doctor”, will teach all you need to know in this engaging, effective eLearning course!

An hour of high-quality HD content in the “Uniquely Engaging”TM Bigger Brains Teacher-Learner style!

Objectives. You will be able to:

Describe threats from cybercriminals that target you and your devices
Define cybersecurity terms including Phishing, Vishing, Ransomware, Sextortion, Social Engineering, and Botnets
List benefits cybercriminals hope to achieve by attacking people and devices
Describe the role played by hardware, software, privilege level, and updates in protecting your computer
Identify at least three characteristics of a “strong” password
Explain the 3-2-1 backup strategy and how it protects from ransomware
List at least three ways criminals hope to get access to your computer
Discuss the role of clickbait and social engineering in cybersecurity attacks

Who this course is for:

Everyday computer users.