OVERVIEW
This module includes an overview of the threats and risks that can occuring the online world. It provides a good insight into the history of online attacks and frauds, along with a detailed explanation of contemporary threats in an evolved, and rapidly changing digital environment.
Moreover, this module provides useful tips and important knowledge regarding personal digital hygiene, which creates the safety and security culture one must have, in order to avoid any cyber-attacks that can be harmful in many ways. This module provides important knowledge, useful tips, and examples, to cultivate the awareness of all kinds of cyber threats.
Specifically, this module is comprised of three (3) units. Firstly, Unit 1, which is the face-to-face guided learning unit, provides a brief history of cyber threats and an overview of the status of cybersecurity threats. Then, the discussion focuses on the different types of cyber threats that can be found online. Subsequently, Unit 2 which is the self-directed unit, is built around the provision of tips users can use to ensure their personal security online. Specifically, this module introduces and discusses the personal digital hygiene routine which is based on digital practices users can adopt for minimising their encounter of cyber risks. Lastly, this module concludes with Unit 3 which encourages learners to reflect on their learning through their engagement with the Reflective Questions included in the unit.
KEY WORDS
- Cyber attacks
- Cybersecurity
- Cyber threats
- Digital hygiene
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
By the end of this module, participants should be able to achieve the following learning outcomes:
Knowledge:
- Understand the importance of being informed about threats in the cyber world.
- Identify and understand cyber threats.
- Gain insight on crucial areas of existing cyber dangers and threats.
- Gain insight on the different types of cyber threats.
- Understand the importance of being proactive.
- Gain insight on ways to keep yourself protected from cyber attacks.
- Understand how the new digital era is changing the mindset around cyber attacks.
- Develop knowledge on how to maintain digital hygiene.
Skills:
- Improve skills on how to be proactive and secure.
- Develop and improve skills on effective reactions on possible cyber attacks.
- Improve skills for invigorating protection from threats and cyber attacks.
- Develop new skills on how to use electronic devices safely.
- Understand what to look for and what to avoid for safely navigating the internet.
- Learn how to stay safe while working remotely.
Competences:
- Adapt to the changing digital landscape.
- Safely use technology.
- Be aware of cyber threats and attacks.
- Avoid cyber attacks.
- Safely navigate on the internet.
Time schedule
Time necessary for: F2F/guided learning: 1,5 hours.
Learning content (self-directed learning): 0,5 hours.
Reflection questions: 15 minutes.
Useful References And Resources
Bamrungchok, D. (n.d.). Digital Hygiene 101: How to practice digital safety and security. Retrieved 2 June, 2022, from https://coconet.social/digital-hygiene-safety-security/index.html
Brooks, R. (2020).How to Prevent Malware Attacks: 10 Security Tips. Retrieved 1 June 2022, from https://blog.netwrix.com/2020/06/12/malware-prevention/
Cipher. (n.d.). 10 Personal Cyber Security Tips — #CyberAware. Retrieved 1 June 2022, from https://cipher.com/blog/10-personal-cyber-security-tips-cyberware/
CIS. (Centre for Internet Security). (n.d.). Election Security Spotlight – Password Attacks. Retrieved 5 June 2022, from
Cisco. (2022). What is Malware? - Definition and Examples. Retrieved 28 September 2022, from https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/security/advanced-malware-protection/what-is-malware.html#~related-topics
Commonwealth of Massachusetts. (n.d.). Know the types of cyber threats. Retrieved 5 May 2022, from https://www.mass.gov/service-details/know-the-types-of-cyber-threats
European Parliament. (2022). Cybersecurity: main and emerging threats in 2021 (infographic). Retrieved 15 May 2022, from
https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/headlines/society/20220120STO21428/cybersecurity-main-and-emerging-threats-in-2021-infographic
FIREEYE. (n.d.). What is a Zero-Day Exploit? Zero-day exploit: an advanced cyber attack defined. Retrieved 15 May 2022, from
https://www.fireeye.com/current-threats/what-is-a-zero-day-exploit.html
Forcepoint. (n.d.). What is Threat Intelligence? Threat Intelligence Defined and Explored. Retrieved 29 May 2022, from https://www.forcepoint.com/cyber-edu/threat-intelligence
Forrester, N. (2021). A brief history of cyber-threats — from 2000 to 2020. Retrieved 17 May 2022, from https://securitybrief.co.nz/story/a-brief-history-of-cyber-threats-from-2000-to-2020
FRAUDWATCH. (n.d.). Cyber Security 101: The-basics of social media threats. Retrieved 28 May 2022, from https://fraudwatch.com/cyber-security-101-the-basics-of-social-media-threats/
Imperva. (n.d.). Cyber Security Solutions. Retrieved 17 May 2022, from https://www.imperva.com/learn/application-security/cyber-security-solutions/
Imperva. (n.d.). Man in the middle (MITM) attack. Retrieved 18 May 2022, from https://www.imperva.com/learn/application-security/man-in-the-middle-attack-mitm/
Imperva. (n.d.). Ransomware. Retrieved 11 May 2022, from https://www.imperva.com/learn/application-security/ransomware/#:~:text=Ransomware%20is%20a%20type%20of,unlock%20and%20decrypt%20the%20data
Imperva. (n.d.). Social Engineering. Retrieved 2 June 2022, from https://www.imperva.com/learn/application-security/social-engineering-attack/#:~:text=Social%20engineering%20is%20the%20term,or%20giving%20away%20sensitive%20information
Jithukrishnan. (2022). Top 10 password policies. Retrieved 3 June 2022, from https://www.securden.com/blog/top-10-password-policies.html
Karperksy. (n.d.). Emotet: How to best protect yourself from the Trojan. Retrieved 1 June 2022, from https://www.kaspersky.com/resource-center/threats/emotet
Kirsten, S. (n.d.). Cross Site Scripting (XSS), OWASP. Retrieved 25 May 2022, from https://owasp.org/www-community/attacks/xss/
Kost, E. (2022). What is Digital Risk? Definition and Protection Tactics for 2022. Retrieved 2 June 2022, from https://www.upguard.com/blog/digital-risk
Morgan, C. (2019). Cybersecurity CEO: The History Of Cybercrime, From 1834 To Present: Early hacking incidents were a glimpse of the future. Retrieved 24 May 2022, from https://cybersecurityventures.com/cybersecurity-ceo-the-history-of-cybercrime-from-1834-to-present/
Norton. (n.d.). 11 social media threats and scams to watch out for. Retrieved 16 May 2022, from https://uk.norton.com/internetsecurity-online-scams-11-social-media-threats-and-scams-to-watch-out-for.html
Paloalto Networks. (n.d.). What is a denial of service attack (DoS)?. Retrieved 17 May 2022, from https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/what-is-a-denial-of-service-attack-dos#:~:text=A%20Denial%2Dof%2DService%20(,information%20that%20triggers%20a%20crash
Recorded Future. (n.d.). What Is Threat Intelligence?. Retrieved 5 May 2022, from https://www.recordedfuture.com/threat-intelligence
Techopedia. (2022). What is Likejacking? - Definition from Techopedia. Retrieved 28 September 2022, from https://www.techopedia.com/definition/27758/likejacking
TestMatick. (2018). THIRD-PARTY AUTHENTICATION. Retrieved 12 May 2022, from https://testmatick.com/third-party-authentication/#:~:text=Third%2Dparty%20authentication%20is%20based,by%20using%20their%20media%20accounts
UND (University of North Dakota). (n.d.). 7 Types of Cyber Security Threats. Retrieved 28 April 2022, from https://onlinedegrees.und.edu/blog/types-of-cyber-security-threats/
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