School Environment and Student Behavior
Digital Security
Grade Level: 6 -12

 

Part I – Introduction

Phishing (also called spoofing) is Internet fraud in the form of e-mails or pop-up messages to lure users into providing usernames, passwords, and personal information. Unsuspecting users “think” they are logging into their regular Internet site, such as eBay, Paypal, or banking sites. However, these “fake” sites capture the information typed into them and give access to digital thieves. Learn what phishing is, how to spot it, what to do about it, and how to avoid being “phished”.

Part II – Class/Advisory Activities

•  Videos

 

Phishing in Plain English (2:54 minutes)
On Guard Online phishing videos (60 seconds)

•  Discussion Questions

 

 

  1. Have you or someone you know ever received a phishing e-mail? What did you or they do?
  2. Why is phishing harmful?
  3. Is phishing dishonest? Is phishing stealing?

•  Activities

 

On Guard Online Quiz: Phishing Scams – Avoid the Bait

Part III – Reflection

•  Writing Prompt(s)  

Write a letter to a phishing scammer, explaining the harm this type of scam creates.

•  Journal Writing

 

  1. Describe how you would determine a phishing web site from a legitimate web site.
  2. What type of accounts would phishing scams be likely to copy?

Part IV – Extension Activities

•  Class/Advisory – School Activities

 

Take the Washington Post phishing quiz. See how many you get right at the end.

•  Home Interaction Links  

Talk to your parents about phishing. Some may not know what it is or how to protect your family from phishing scams.

Part V – Resources

On Guard Online

 

http://www.onguardonline.gov/topics/phishing.aspx http://www.onguardonline.gov/topics/identity-theft.aspx

FBI

 

http://www.fbi.gov/cyberinvest/escams.htm