How to be Safe Online

How to Stay Safe Online

The internet is useful, but you must stay alert to protect yourself.

• Use Strong Passwords – Create passwords with letters, numbers, and symbols. Do not share your password.

• Check Before You Click – Do not click links in emails or messages from strangers. They may be scams.

• Keep Personal Info Private – Do not post your address, phone number, or bank details online.

• Use Secure Websites – Look for https:// before a website name. The “s” means it is safer.

• Don’t Trust Everything Online – Not all websites and people tell the truth. Be careful.

• Update Your Devices – Keep your phone and computer updated to protect against viruses.

• Be Careful with Free Wi-Fi – Do not enter passwords or bank details on public Wi-Fi.

Think of the internet like a busy street—stay aware, protect yourself, and don’t trust strangers!

What are Scams and Phishing?

A Scam is when someone tries to trick you online to steal your money or personal information.

Phishing (say: fishing) is a type of scam where someone pretends to be a real company or person. They want to trick you into giving them your personal information. This might be your password, bank details, or other private information.

How to Spot a Scam or Phishing:

• Strange emails, text messages, or phone calls saying you won a prize or owe money

• Links that look real but are fake. Example: “yourbank-secure.com” is not the same as “yourbank.com.”

• Emails asking for passwords or personal details – real companies never do this.

• Messages that create fear – “Your account will be closed! Click here now!”

How to Stay Safe:

• Do not click links in emails or messages from people you don’t know.

• Never share passwords or bank details through email or messages.

• Delete and ignore suspicious messages.

• Ask for help if you are not sure. 

If something looks too good to be true, it’s probably a scam.

In the examples below, the sender is posing as PayPal. You can see that it really comes from Amelia Fairchild, not PayPal. If you click on the name, it also verifies that it's not PayPal. In the second example, the sender is posing as Adobe Acrobat, but you can see that the address is also fake in this example. Always check to be sure emails and texts are from legitimate companies.