Online Scams and Phishing Basics

1. What is 'phishing'?

• A. A scam that tricks people into revealing personal information via fake messages or websites ✓
• B. A type of computer virus only
• C. A type of hardware
• D. A type of internet browser

💡 Phishing is a scam that uses fake messages or websites to trick victims into revealing personal information.

2. What should you do before entering payment information on a website?

• A. Verify that the website is secure and legitimate ✓
• B. Enter information regardless of the website's legitimacy
• C. Share your payment details on social media
• D. Ignore website security indicators

💡 Before entering payment details, verify that the website is secure (using HTTPS) and legitimate.

3. What should you do if you fall victim to an online scam?

• A. Report it and change any compromised passwords immediately ✓
• B. Ignore it and hope it resolves itself
• C. Share your experience publicly with all your passwords
• D. Continue using the same passwords

💡 If you fall victim to a scam, report it promptly and change any passwords that may have been compromised.

4. What is a 'tech support scam'?

• A. A scam where fraudsters pose as tech support to gain access to a victim's device or money ✓
• B. A legitimate technical support service
• C. A type of firewall
• D. A type of antivirus software

💡 A tech support scam involves fraudsters posing as legitimate support staff to gain access to a victim's device or money.

5. What should you check before clicking a link in an email?

• A. Whether the URL looks legitimate and matches the expected sender ✓
• B. Only the email's subject line
• C. The time the email was sent
• D. The email's font style

💡 Before clicking a link, check whether the URL looks legitimate and matches what you'd expect from the sender.

6. What is 'smishing'?

• A. Phishing conducted through SMS text messages ✓
• B. Phishing conducted through phone calls only
• C. A type of computer virus
• D. A type of firewall

💡 'Smishing' refers to phishing scams carried out through SMS text messages.

7. What is a 'romance scam'?

• A. A scam where someone builds a fake romantic relationship to manipulate a victim financially ✓
• B. A legitimate dating service
• C. A type of computer virus
• D. A type of firewall

💡 A romance scam involves building a fake romantic relationship online to manipulate a victim into sending money.

8. What is a common sign of a phishing email?

• A. Urgent requests for personal information or unexpected links ✓
• B. A message from a known, verified contact
• C. A properly formatted, official email
• D. Correct spelling and grammar throughout

💡 Phishing emails often create urgency and include unexpected links or requests for personal information.

9. What does it mean if a website URL starts with 'https' instead of 'http'?

• A. The connection to the website is encrypted and more secure ✓
• B. The website is guaranteed to be legitimate
• C. The website loads faster
• D. The website has no ads

💡 'HTTPS' indicates the connection to a website is encrypted, though it doesn't guarantee the site itself is legitimate.

10. What should you do if you receive a suspicious email asking for personal information?

• A. Avoid clicking any links and verify the sender independently ✓
• B. Reply with your personal information immediately
• C. Forward it to all your contacts
• D. Click all links to investigate

💡 If an email seems suspicious, avoid clicking links and independently verify the sender's identity before responding.

11. What is 'spoofing' in the context of online scams?

• A. Disguising communication to appear as if it's from a trusted source ✓
• B. A type of legitimate software update
• C. A type of firewall
• D. A type of encryption

💡 'Spoofing' disguises communication, like an email or phone number, to appear as though it's from a trusted source.

12. What is 'social engineering' in the context of scams?

• A. Manipulating people into divulging confidential information ✓
• B. A type of computer hardware
• C. A type of internet connection
• D. A legitimate research method

💡 Social engineering manipulates people psychologically into divulging confidential information or performing risky actions.

13. Why should you be cautious about unexpected prize or lottery notifications online?

• A. They are often scams designed to steal money or personal information ✓
• B. They are always legitimate
• C. They require no personal information
• D. They are a type of software update

💡 Unexpected prize or lottery notifications are frequently scams designed to steal money or personal information.

14. What is a common goal of online scams?

• A. To trick victims into giving away money or personal information ✓
• B. To improve computer performance
• C. To provide free software updates
• D. To increase internet speed

💡 Online scams typically aim to trick victims into giving away money, personal information, or account access.

15. What is 'vishing'?

• A. Phishing conducted through voice calls ✓
• B. Phishing conducted through text messages only
• C. A type of computer virus
• D. A type of firewall

💡 'Vishing' refers to phishing scams carried out through voice calls.