Spot the Scam: teacher key

Staying Safe Online, grade 3 edition, written for 3rd grade. Learn what makes a strong password, how phishing messages try to trick people, and what to do when a message looks wrong.

Read the book. Print this page for the key.

Questions and answers

1. What makes a strong password?
   • Short and simple
   • Long, random and different for each account (answer)
   • Your birthday
2. What is a passphrase?
   • A password made of several unrelated words (answer)
   • A phone number
   • A kind of virus
3. Why use a different password for each account?
   • It looks nicer
   • One stolen password cannot open everything (answer)
   • It is shorter
4. Which is a common sign of phishing?
   • A message that pushes you to act right away (answer)
   • A message from a friend you know
   • A quiet message
5. What should you do if you think a message might be a scam?
   • Click its links
   • Do not click its links or open its attachments (answer)
   • Answer it fast
6. Who do you tell if something online makes you feel scared?
   • A trusted grown-up (answer)
   • A stranger
   • Nobody

Words

• passphrase: password of words
• phishing: tricks for information
• attachments: sent with emails