Module 5
E-safety & using the web
Quick-reference revision notes for parents.
5.1 Passwords & searching the web
Strong passwords
- At least 12 characters
- Mix of upper, lower, numbers, symbols
- Not a real word, name, birthday, or common phrase
- Different password for each important account
- Use a password manager to store them safely
- Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) where possible
Better web searches
- Use specific keywords rather than full sentences.
- Put a phrase in quotes ("solar panel installation") to search for it exactly.
- Use site: e.g.
site:bbc.co.uk weatherto search one site. - Use − to exclude (e.g.
jaguar −carfor the animal).
5.2 Knowing what to trust
Not everything online is true. Check:
- Author — who wrote it? Are they qualified?
- Source — is it a known organisation, news site, government, university? Or anonymous?
- Date — is it recent enough to still be true?
- Bias — is the writer trying to sell or persuade?
- Cross-check — do other reliable sites say the same?
Fake news and reviews
- Sensational headlines designed to get clicks (clickbait).
- Photos taken out of context or edited.
- Fake reviews — too short, too vague, all 5 stars or 1 star, posted close together.
5.3 Keeping it legal
- Computer Misuse Act — illegal to access someone's account or system without permission, or to spread malware.
- Copyright, Designs and Patents Act — text, images and music are owned by their creator. You can't just copy and reuse them.
- Data Protection Act / GDPR — organisations must keep your personal data safe and only use it for what they said.
- Creative Commons licences let creators say "you can use this if…" — always check the licence terms.
5.4 Saving your results
- Bookmarks / favourites save useful pages.
- File names should be meaningful — history-essay-final.docx not doc1.docx.
- Use folders to organise files by subject or project.
- Cloud storage (Google Drive, OneDrive) lets you access your work from any device and back it up automatically.
5.5 Malware
| Type | What it does |
|---|---|
| Virus | Attaches to files and spreads when shared |
| Worm | Spreads by itself across networks |
| Trojan | Looks like useful software but does something harmful in the background |
| Spyware | Watches what you do (including passwords) |
| Ransomware | Encrypts your files and demands money to unlock them |
Anti-malware tools
- Antivirus software scans and removes malware.
- Keep the operating system and software up to date.
- Don't click suspicious links or download unknown attachments.
- Back up important files regularly.
5.6 Forums, groups, email and social media
Etiquette & staying safe
- Don't share personal info (full name, address, school, phone).
- Be polite — would you say it face-to-face?
- Don't reply to messages from strangers.
- Report and block bullies; tell a trusted adult.
- Anything you post can be screenshot — assume it's permanent.
- Be careful with location-sharing settings.
Quick reference
- Strong password: long, mixed characters, unique per account, 2FA
- Trust check: author, source, date, bias, cross-check
- Laws: Computer Misuse, Copyright, GDPR/Data Protection
- Malware: virus, worm, trojan, spyware, ransomware
- Online safety: don't share personal info; be polite; report bullying