Discover the 19 worst passwords and learn how to keep your password safe from computer hackers in this article from NOVA scienceNOW. Students can read this article during a lesson on cybersecurity.
Learn how to keep your digital life safe, spot cyber scams, understand the basics of coding, and defend against cyberattacks with the NOVA Cybersecurity Lab. Players assume the role of chief technology officer of a start-up social network company that is the target of increasingly sophisticated cyber attacks. In the game, players must complete challenges to strengthen their defenses and thwart attackers. The lab also features stories of real-world cyber attacks, a glossary of cyber terms, and short animated videos that explain the need for cybersecurity; privacy versus security; cryptography (cyber codes); and what exactly hackers are. This game can be played during a lesson on cybersecurity.
Learn how encryption keeps online information private in this video from the NOVA Cybersecurity Lab. Your messages are coded by email programs and websites to prevent others from reading them. Codes have been used in messages for centuries. Caesar sent coded messages to his military in ancient Rome. In the 1940s, the Allied forces cracked the German Enigma Code, saving lives during World War II. Today, emails are protected through public-key cryptography, which uses numbers from both the sending and receiving email servers to create a key. However, not all online activity is encrypted and, in some cases, your browsing history, text messages, and data from apps can be intercepted. This video comes with discussion questions.
In this media-rich lesson plan, students explore how to keep their digital lives safe, spot cyber scams, and learn the basics of coding from NOVA Labs. The lesson begins with students watching the Cybersecurity 101 video and discussing the online safety measures that they currently take. Next, students make predictions about online safety best practices, complete the Level 1 challenges of the NOVA Cybersecurity Lab, and compare the best practices from the game with their predictions. Students reconvene for direct instruction on the best practices and key computer science terms and then finish the Cybersecurity Lab game. Finally, students complete the video quizzes with short-response discussion questions and can work on the Cybersecurity stories as homework reading assignments.
Learn why protecting your information online is crucial with this video from the NOVA Cybersecurity Lab. The Internet was originally designed to connect large computers at universities, businesses, and governments. It grew exponentially once personal computers became common in the 1980s. Connecting to the Internet leaves computers vulnerable. People can use computers to delete data, spread viruses, or even steal someone’s identity. The good news is that there are several ways to stay safe online. You can learn about protecting information by trying coding, password cracking, and spotting email scams in NOVA’s Cybersecurity Lab. This video includes a student viewing guide to promote discussion.
In this lesson, students discuss their online experiences and learn how to minimize the potential risks that may be associated with them. Using a tip sheet, students explore the many tools and strategies that can be used to prevent negative online experiences. Once they have reviewed these strategies and resources, students will extend their knowledge by playing a game in which they compete against other students to match a series of technological "tools" to the "risks" they can help prevent.
Students will display the ability to:
recognize the potential security risks and drawbacks of engaging in various online activities
use a variety of tools and techniques to secure and protect their online experiences
apply principles of board game design through the creation of a Cyber Security game (Grade 7/8 only)
Note: You will need to create a free account before you can view this resource.
