A friend says 'I got an email from Netflix saying my account will be cancelled unless I update my payment info now.' They're about to click the link. What do you tell them?

Don't click the link — go directly to netflix.com by typing it in the browser, log in there, and check if there's actually a payment issue. Never click payment links in emails Click the link but don't enter any information — just check if the website looks real Reply to the email asking Netflix to confirm it's legitimate Forward the email to their bank to warn them

Your school computer is running very slowly and the hard drive light is constantly active. What cybersecurity concern might this indicate?

Possible malware infection — ransomware encrypting files or a botnet client running background tasks can cause these symptoms; report to school IT immediately The computer just needs to be restarted — this happens when computers run for too long Someone is streaming too many videos and overloading the school network The hard drive is full and needs to be emptied — delete temporary files

Someone on a gaming forum offers you a 'free cheat software' for your favorite game. What's the risk?

High risk of trojan malware — cheat software is a common distribution method for malware because gamers are motivated to run it and may disable antivirus to prevent detection Low risk — cheat software doesn't contain malware since it's just modifying game memory Only risky if the cheat software is for a paid game — free game cheats are safer The biggest risk is getting banned from the game — there's no malware risk

You're using the school library's public computer and need to check your email. What precautions should you take?

Log out when done, don't save passwords in the browser, consider whether the computer is trustworthy (public computers may have keyloggers), and use MFA if possible It's fine as long as you use incognito mode — it doesn't save any data Connect through the school's VPN to ensure the connection is encrypted Only access your email if the library is empty — don't let others see your screen

A pop-up appears warning that your computer is infected with 500 viruses and you should call a phone number immediately. What is this?

A 'tech support scam' — fake warnings designed to frighten you into calling a number where scammers will charge you for fake 'cleaning' services or get remote access to your computer A legitimate Microsoft Windows security warning — call the number to get help Your antivirus software detecting infections and needing your authorization to remove them A government cybersecurity alert — you may face legal consequences if you ignore it

Why should you be careful about what apps you grant camera and microphone permissions to?

Malicious apps or apps with security vulnerabilities can use camera/microphone access to spy on you without your knowledge — only grant these permissions to apps that genuinely need them It's fine to grant all permissions — apps can't actually use them without you opening the app Camera access is safe but microphone access should always be denied Only worry about permissions for apps from unknown developers — official apps are always safe

What should you do if you realize you accidentally clicked a phishing link?

Disconnect from the internet immediately, change passwords for any accounts you might have entered credentials for, run a malware scan, and report the incident Close the browser tab immediately — as long as you didn't enter anything, you're safe Restart your computer — this removes any downloaded malware Nothing — phishing links only cause harm if you enter your personal information

What is 'cyberbullying' and how does digital security relate to it?

Using digital technology to harass, threaten, or humiliate someone — security practices like strong privacy settings, account protection, and documenting evidence help address it Hacking into someone's computer to damage their files out of personal vendetta Making fun of someone's technology skills or inability to use computers Any form of bullying that happens online or in video games

What is 'digital footprint' and why does it matter for security?

The trail of data you leave online through your activity — your digital footprint can be used by advertisers, employers, attackers, or others to build a detailed profile of you Your carbon footprint from using electronic devices and streaming services The physical footprint of computer hardware — how much space servers take up The unique pattern your finger leaves on touchscreens used for biometric authentication

What is the best response if someone online offers you something (gifts, money, fame) in exchange for personal photos or private information?

Never share personal photos or private information with online strangers — these are grooming tactics used by predators; tell a trusted adult and report the account It's fine if the offer comes through an official verified account on a major platform Ask them to verify their identity first before deciding whether to share Share only your first name and school — that's not enough to identify you specifically