📚 Topic Summary
Phishing scams are deceptive attempts to trick individuals into revealing sensitive information, such as usernames, passwords, and credit card details. These scams often masquerade as legitimate communications from trusted sources like banks or social media platforms. High school web development students are particularly vulnerable because they are often online and may not always recognize the subtle signs of a phishing attack. Understanding how these scams work and how to identify them is crucial for protecting personal and professional data.
This worksheet will help you learn key vocabulary, practice identifying phishing attempts, and develop critical thinking skills to stay safe online. By completing these activities, you'll be better equipped to protect yourself and others from falling victim to phishing scams.
🔑 Part A: Vocabulary
Match the term with its definition:
| Term |
Definition |
| 1. Phishing |
A. A type of malicious software designed to harm a computer system. |
| 2. Malware |
B. A technique used to deceive individuals into providing sensitive information. |
| 3. Spoofing |
C. Falsifying the sender address of an email to appear as someone else. |
| 4. Credential Harvesting |
D. The process of collecting usernames and passwords. |
| 5. Spear Phishing |
E. A targeted phishing attack aimed at specific individuals or organizations. |
✍️ Part B: Fill in the Blanks
Complete the following paragraph using the words provided: sensitive, links, personal, trust, legitimate.
Phishing scams try to trick you into sharing __________ information by pretending to be __________ sources. They often use deceptive __________ that lead to fake websites. Always double-check the sender's address and never __________ an email at face value. Protect your __________ data by being cautious online.
🤔 Part C: Critical Thinking
Imagine you receive an email that looks like it's from your bank, asking you to update your account information. What steps would you take to verify if the email is legitimate and avoid falling for a potential phishing scam?