Digital Security

This unit goes over some of the basics for securing your accounts online and browsing the internet safely. We recommend reading through these resources before a session and discussing any questions that come up around these topics.

Creating and logging into online accounts

What is a username and password?
Single sign-on: logging into applications using your email account, LinkedIn, Facebook or other profiles

Creating and tracking secure passwords

An overview on the importance of creating secure online accounts
Helpful tips for creating strong passwords (if you do not want to use a password manager)
An overview on password managers (if you do want to use a password manager)
Wired’s password manager recommendations) (free and paid options)

How to identify online scams

What is an online scam?
Identifying and protecting yourself from online scams
More tips on avoiding phishing scams

Browsing the web securely or privately

What is encryption?
The basics of a secure web connection

Activities

Have your mentee put in their email on https://haveibeenpwned.com/ to find out if their email is associated with any websites that have had security breaches, and have them update their passwords

Have your mentee update their password for one of their online accounts and write it down on paper to store in a safe place (if not using a password manager). Have your mentee choose one of the free password managers and download it.

Have your mentee download a free adblocker such as PrivacyBadger [Ghostery](https://www.ghostery.com/ghostery-browser-extension”)