Digital Literacy and Internet Safety Flashcards

What does 'phishing' mean in cybersecurity?

Answer: A fraudulent attempt to obtain sensitive information (passwords, credit card numbers) by disguising as a trustworthy entity via email or messages

Phishing scams impersonate trusted organizations via email or text to trick users into revealing sensitive information.

What is a 'strong password' according to cybersecurity best practices?

Answer: A long combination of uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols that is unique to each account

Strong passwords are long, complex, unique per account, and difficult to guess — especially important for email, banking, and social media.

What is 'two-factor authentication' (2FA)?

Answer: A security method requiring two forms of verification (password + a code sent to your phone) to access an account

2FA requires something you know (password) plus something you have (phone with code) — making accounts far harder for hackers to access.

What should you do before clicking a link in an email that claims to be from your bank?

Answer: Hover over the link to see the actual URL, and if suspicious, go directly to the bank's website by typing the address yourself.

Hovering over links reveals their true destination. Typing the bank's URL directly bypasses potential phishing traps entirely.

What is 'malware'?

Answer: Malicious software designed to damage, disrupt, or gain unauthorized access to computer systems

Malware (malicious software) includes viruses, ransomware, spyware, and trojans — all designed to harm systems or steal data.

Why is it important to read an app's 'privacy policy' or 'terms of service' before installing it?

Answer: It explains what personal data the app collects, how it is used, and who it may be shared with.

Privacy policies disclose data collection practices — knowing what an app does with your data helps you make informed decisions about using it.