Intro to Computer Science / Unit 10: Cybersecurity and Impacts of Computing
10.3 Phishing and Common Threats
Notes
Many attacks trick people instead of breaking technology. This is called social engineering.
- Phishing uses fake emails, texts or websites that pretend to be a trusted source to steal passwords or money.
- Warning signs: urgent threats, spelling errors, an unfamiliar sender address, links that do not match the real site, and requests for passwords.
- Malware is harmful software: viruses, ransomware (locks files for payment), and spyware (secretly watches you).
- Protection: do not click unknown links or attachments, check the address, keep software updated, use antivirus, and report suspicious messages.
- If a message says your account will close in 1 hour unless you log in through a link, go to the official site yourself.
Practice
Which is a warning sign of a phishing email?
Urgency and pressure to click are common phishing tricks.
What does ransomware do?
Ransomware encrypts files and demands payment.
You receive a text saying your bank account is locked, with a link. What is the best action?
Going directly to the real site avoids a fake link.
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