Computer Science
Grade 3
20 min
Identifying Scams: Spotting Fake Websites and Emails
Learn how to identify scams and fake websites/emails.
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1
Introduction & Learning Objectives
Learning Objectives
Identify at least two signs of a fake email, such as an unknown sender or spelling mistakes.
Identify at least two signs of a fake website, such as a strange web address or a missing lock symbol.
Explain what personal information is and why it should be kept private.
Use an 'If-Then' rule to decide if a message is safe.
Demonstrate what to do when they see a suspicious message or website: Stop, Think, and Ask a Grown-up.
Describe the difference between a real website address and a tricky, fake one.
Have you ever seen a pop-up that says YOU WON A PRIZE? 🏆 Let's be digital detectives and figure out if it's real or a trick!
In this lesson, we will learn how to be safe online by spotting clues in emails and on websites that tell us they...
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Key Concepts & Vocabulary
TermDefinitionExample
ScamA trick someone uses online to get your personal information or money.An email that says you won a free puppy, but asks for your home address to send it.
Personal InformationFacts about you that should be kept private, like your full name, address, phone number, or passwords.Your password for a game is personal information. You should never share it.
Fake WebsiteA website that is built to look like a real one, but is a trick to steal your information.A website called 'robox.com' instead of the real 'roblox.com'. It looks the same but the address is spelled wrong.
SenderThe person or company who sent you an email.In an email from your teacher, the teacher is the sender.
LinkSomething you click on to go to a website. It can be text or a picture....
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Core Syntax & Patterns
The 'Too Good to Be True' Conditional
IF a message offers something amazing for free (like 1,000 free game coins), THEN it is probably a scam.
Use this rule when you see an offer that seems unbelievable. Scams often try to trick you by promising exciting things that aren't real.
The 'Check the Sender' Conditional
IF an email is from a person or company you don't know, THEN you should not click anything and ask a grown-up for help.
Always look at who sent the email. If the name or email address looks strange or you don't recognize it, be very careful.
The 'Mismatched Link' Conditional
IF you hover your mouse over a link and the address that pops up is different from what the link says, THEN it is a trick.
Scammers can make...
4 more steps in this tutorial
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Challenging
You get an email that looks like it's from your school library saying a book is overdue and you must click a link to pay a fine. The sender's address is `school.library.helper@gmail.com`. What is the BIGGEST clue this is a scam?
A.The library would never charge a fine for an overdue book
B.The email is about a book, which is not important
C.You don't remember having an overdue book
D.The email address uses '@gmail.com' instead of an official school address
Challenging
A website offers a free download of a popular movie, but a pop-up says you must disable your antivirus software first. Why is this an extremely dangerous request?
A.The antivirus program would make the movie download too slowly
B.The website is trying to help your computer run faster
C.Antivirus software is designed to block viruses, so the site is asking you to turn off your protection against their harmful file
D.The movie file is too new for the antivirus to recognize it
Challenging
Consider this safety rule: IF an email asks for your password, THEN it is a scam. Now, read this email: "Welcome to Super Pet Adventure! Click here to go to our official website and CREATE your new password to start playing!" Why does our safety rule NOT apply here?
A.The email is asking you to CREATE a new, secret password on a website, not to tell them an existing one
B.The safety rule is wrong and you should always give your password when an email asks
C.The email is for a game, and emails about games are always safe
D.The rule only works for emails from people you don't know
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