Module 02 — Internet & Online Safety¶
Duration: 2 sessions · Audience: All · Prerequisite: Module 01
The second universal module. Most participants take Module 02 before any specialization track.
Learning objectives¶
By the end of Module 02, a participant can:
- Describe what "the internet" is in plain language
- Recognize a phishing email or scam call attempt
- Create, store, and use a strong password with Bitwarden
- Adjust basic privacy settings on a common account
- Identify safe vs. unsafe Wi-Fi networks
- Know what to do when something feels wrong (not just what to avoid)
Session breakdown¶
Session 1 — How the internet works, and how it doesn't. The internet in one diagram: device → router → ISP → site. Reading a URL. HTTPS — what the padlock means and doesn't. Safe browsing habits. Recognizing phishing: tells, examples, verifying a sender. Common scams adapted to audience (elder, romance, fake-job, fake-tech-support).
Session 2 — Your accounts, passwords, privacy. What a password manager is and why it matters. Set up Bitwarden, store the first real password. Two-factor authentication, the easy way. Privacy settings on one common account (Google, Facebook, or institutional). Public Wi-Fi: when it's fine, when it isn't. What to do if you think you've been compromised.
Hands-on assignment¶
By the end of Session 2 the participant should have installed Bitwarden with a memorable master password, stored at least one real password, enabled 2FA on one account, and walked through privacy settings on one account they actually use.
Audience adaptations¶
| Audience | Emphasis |
|---|---|
| Seniors | Elder scams, phone-based scams, "Microsoft is calling" |
| Teens / youth | Privacy, digital footprint, what follows them later |
| Recovery / reentry | New-account hygiene, separating identities, fresh-start safety |
| Adults | Job-hunt scams, fake recruiters, account compromise recovery |
What this module doesn't cover¶
Tor, VPNs, dark web (out of scope — handled in Module 04 if it comes up); cryptocurrency scams (touched on, not deep); specific legal advice for someone already scammed (refer to local resources).
Assessment for award eligibility¶
A facilitator confirms (no written test): Did the participant create and use a Bitwarden vault? Can they describe one phishing tell in their own words? Can they name one thing they would change about how they use the internet now? If yes to all three, Module 02 is complete.