The Internet is useful but not always safe. Cyber safety is about protecting yourself, your information and your devices online (CBSE 165, Unit 2). A few good habits keep you secure.
1Safe browsing, identity & digital footprint
Everything you do online leaves a trail — your digital footprint: posts, photos, searches, sites visited. It can last for years, so protect it:
- Visit trusted sites; look for HTTPS (the padlock) before entering any information.
- Don't share personal details (full name, address, school, phone) with strangers.
- Think before you post — anything public can be copied and is hard to delete.
- Be careful what you 'like', share and tag on social networks.
- Your digital footprint is the trail of everything you do online — it can last for years.
- Browse trusted (HTTPS) sites and don't share personal details with strangers.
- Think before posting — public content is easy to copy and hard to remove.
2Passwords & privacy settings
A strong password is your first line of defence:
- Long (8+ characters), mixing UPPER & lower case, numbers and symbols.
- Not a name, birthday or dictionary word; different for each account.
- Never shared; changed if you suspect it's known. Turn on two-factor authentication (2FA) where possible.
Use privacy settings on social networks and chat apps to control who can see your profile, posts and contact you — set them to friends only rather than public.
- Strong passwords are long, mixed-character, unique per account and never shared; use 2FA where possible.
- Privacy settings control who can see your profile/posts — prefer 'friends only' over public.
- Never share passwords or OTPs; no genuine service asks for them.
3Cyberstalking & reporting cybercrime
Cyberstalking is when someone repeatedly harasses, threatens or follows a person online. If it happens:
- Don't respond to the stalker; don't share more information.
- Block and report the person on the platform.
- Keep evidence — take screenshots of messages.
- Tell a trusted adult (parent/teacher) and report to the authorities.
- Cyberstalking is repeated online harassment/threats; don't respond — block and report the person.
- Keep evidence (screenshots) and tell a trusted adult.
- In India, report cybercrime at cybercrime.gov.in or call 1930.
4Malware awareness
Malware (malicious software) is any program designed to harm or spy on a computer. Common types:
| Malware | What it does |
|---|---|
| Computer virus | Attaches to files and spreads, damaging data/programs |
| Adware | Floods you with unwanted ads; can slow the device |
| Spyware | Secretly watches you and steals information (passwords, habits) |
Staying protected
- Install and update antivirus software.
- Keep your OS and apps updated.
- Don't open suspicious links/attachments or download from untrusted sites.
- Malware is harmful software: viruses spread and damage, adware shows unwanted ads, spyware secretly steals information.
- Protect yourself with updated antivirus and OS/app updates.
- Avoid suspicious links, attachments and downloads from untrusted sites.
★ Practical: a safety checklist
Write your own answers:
- Create (on paper) a strong password and explain why it is strong.
- List three things you would NOT post publicly online.
- Describe the steps you'd take if someone cyberstalked you.
- Name the three malware types and one way to protect against them.
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