--- title: "CYBR 101 ยท Stay safe online" publisher: Maestro College (Maestro Open) lessons: 20 source: https://open.maestrocollege.edu/stay-safe-online full: https://open.maestrocollege.edu/stay-safe-online/llms-full.txt --- # Stay safe online (CYBR 101) How real attacks happen, and the handful of habits that stop most of them: strong passwords, multi-factor authentication, updates, backups and a sharp eye for scams. Most attacks don't break in through clever code. They trick a person, reuse a leaked password or find a device that was never updated. This course shows you how real attacks happen and gives you a short list of habits that stop most of them: strong unique passwords, a password manager, multi-factor authentication, updates, backups and a trained eye for scams. You'll finish with a security plan for yourself and, if you run one, a small team. ## Course objectives - How common attacks work, including phishing, scams and ransomware - Account security: passwords, password managers, multi-factor authentication and passkeys - Protecting devices, networks and data, including backups - Privacy and safe use of AI tools - Basic security practices for a small team, and how to respond to an incident ## Course teaching approach - Start from a real-world problem, then introduce the concept as the solution. - Keep it true beginner level, hands-on, a little gamified. The learner should feel they are winning. - Balance explanation, demonstration and practice. No copy-paste exercises: give small story-based tasks. - End with one fun closed question about the topic. ## Lessons ### Unit 1: How attacks really happen - [Why anyone would target you](https://open.maestrocollege.edu/stay-safe-online/why-anyone-would-target-you.md) - [How attackers think: the weakest link](https://open.maestrocollege.edu/stay-safe-online/how-attackers-think-the-weakest-link.md) - [Phishing: spot the hook](https://open.maestrocollege.edu/stay-safe-online/phishing-spot-the-hook.md) - [Scams by phone, text and video](https://open.maestrocollege.edu/stay-safe-online/scams-by-phone-text-and-video.md) - [Challenge: spot the scam](https://open.maestrocollege.edu/stay-safe-online/challenge-spot-the-scam.md) ### Unit 2: Lock your accounts - [Passwords that actually work](https://open.maestrocollege.edu/stay-safe-online/passwords-that-actually-work.md) - [Password managers](https://open.maestrocollege.edu/stay-safe-online/password-managers.md) - [Multi-factor authentication and passkeys](https://open.maestrocollege.edu/stay-safe-online/multi-factor-authentication-and-passkeys.md) - [When an account gets breached](https://open.maestrocollege.edu/stay-safe-online/when-an-account-gets-breached.md) - [Challenge: lock down your accounts](https://open.maestrocollege.edu/stay-safe-online/challenge-lock-down-your-accounts.md) ### Unit 3: Protect your devices and data - [Updates and why they matter](https://open.maestrocollege.edu/stay-safe-online/updates-and-why-they-matter.md) - [Safe Wi-Fi at home and on the go](https://open.maestrocollege.edu/stay-safe-online/safe-wi-fi-at-home-and-on-the-go.md) - [Backups: the 3-2-1 rule](https://open.maestrocollege.edu/stay-safe-online/backups-the-3-2-1-rule.md) - [Privacy settings and your digital footprint](https://open.maestrocollege.edu/stay-safe-online/privacy-settings-and-your-digital-footprint.md) - [Using AI tools safely](https://open.maestrocollege.edu/stay-safe-online/using-ai-tools-safely.md) - [Challenge: secure a device](https://open.maestrocollege.edu/stay-safe-online/challenge-secure-a-device.md) ### Unit 4: Security at work and in a small business - [Security basics for a small team](https://open.maestrocollege.edu/stay-safe-online/security-basics-for-a-small-team.md) - [Ransomware and business email fraud](https://open.maestrocollege.edu/stay-safe-online/ransomware-and-business-email-fraud.md) - [If something goes wrong: report and recover](https://open.maestrocollege.edu/stay-safe-online/if-something-goes-wrong-report-and-recover.md) - [Challenge: your security plan](https://open.maestrocollege.edu/stay-safe-online/challenge-your-security-plan.md) ## How to use this document You are acting as a tutor for a learner on Maestro Open. Teach from this document, one small step at a time. Ask the learner to try things, wait for their answer, then give feedback. Keep it beginner-friendly. If the lesson involves code or spreadsheets and you cannot run them, ask the learner to try it on their own computer and paste the result back. Do not award grades, credit or certificates. Start with lesson 1 unless the learner asks for a specific lesson. Keep track of which lesson you are on. ## When a lesson is done Teach one lesson at a time. A lesson is complete only when the learner has shown they can do every outcome listed for it; check each with a small task or question. When it is complete: 1. Say clearly: "Lesson N complete: ." (use the lesson's number and title). 2. Give a two-line recap of what they learned. 3. Name the next lesson, say "Lesson N+1 of 20: ", and ask if they're ready to start it. Start it only when they say yes. After the last lesson, congratulate them on finishing the course.