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      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can evaluate the financial security of different websites and explain how to avoid online scams.

      Key learning points

      1. A secure website uses HTTPS and has a padlock symbol in the address bar.
      2. Common online financial risks include phishing, identity theft and fake websites.
      3. Strategies to avoid scams include: strong passwords, enabling multi-factor authentication and being cautious of emails.
      4. Online scams can be very sophisticated and can be hard to spot.
      5. Phishing and fake sites can be used to steal passwords.

      Keywords

      • HTTPS - stands for HyperText Transfer Protocol Secure; used to secure communications over a computer network

      • Two-factor authentication - a security system that requires two or more methods of confirming a user's identity

      • Identity theft - the deliberate use of someone else's identity, usually as a method to gain a financial advantage

      • Phishing - messages or calls disguised as if from trustworthy organisations, sent to trick people into giving sensitive information

      Common misconception

      All websites with a padlock symbol are safe.

      While the padlock symbol indicates a secure connection, it does not guarantee that the website itself is legitimate.

      Teacher tip

      Oak have more resources on Financial Education on our website.

      Licence

      This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0
      except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions
      (Collection 2).

      Lesson video

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      Prior knowledge starter quiz

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      Which term means illegal language used to insult or attack others based on things like their race, gender or beliefs?

      Correct Answer: hate speech

      Q2.
      Complete the sentence: People online can target groups and individuals with ...

      Correct Answer: harassment

      Q3.
      How should we respond to online abuse?

      ignore it
      Correct answer: block the sender
      Correct answer: tell a trusted adult
      Correct answer: report the sender
      respond to it

      Q4.
      Which of the following are laws that bullying and harassment can be prosecuted under in the UK?

      Anti-Bullying Act (2025)
      Social Media Bullying Act (1980)
      Correct answer: Communications Act (2003)
      Correct answer: Defamation Act (2013)
      Correct answer: Equality Act (2010)

      Q5.
      Which of the following groups may face online harassment more than others?

      members of cake baking communities
      Correct answer: members of the LGBT+ community
      Correct answer: racial and ethnic minorities
      people with blue eyes

      Q6.
      Being found guilty of an offence relating to online harassment could result in which of the following?

      hard labour
      Correct answer: fine
      death penalty
      Correct answer: prison sentence

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      Match the words to the correct definition.

      Correct Answer:HTTPS,used to secure communications over a computer network
      Correct Answer:phishing,messages or calls sent to trick people
      Correct Answer:two-factor authentication,a security system that requires two methods to confirm an identity

      Q2.
      Which URL looks to be the most secure?

      Correct answer: https://www.bankingonline.co.uk
      http://www.bankingonline.co.uk
      http://www.bank1ngonline.com.co

      Q3.
      Which statement about risks online is accurate?

      Correct answer: Phishing scams are done to steal money and passwords.
      We can avoid online scams if we use public WiFi networks.
      Correct answer: We can avoid online scams if we have a secure password.
      We can avoid online scams if we click any link sent to us.

      Q4.
      Two-factor authentication can help us to:

      Correct answer: avoid people accessing our accounts
      make it easier to access our accounts
      Correct answer: notify us someone is accessing our account
      make our passwords easier to remember

      Q5.
      What makes a strong password?

      having all lower case letters
      having a series of consecutive numbers
      having a mix of upper and lower case letters
      Correct answer: having a mix of upper and lower case letters with symbols and random numbers

      Q6.
      Identify the correct statements.

      All websites with a padlock symbol are safe.
      Correct answer: This padlock means the site has a security certificate known as an SSL.
      Correct answer: Not every SSL is valid and so it is important to check it.
      The padlock symbol is an indication that the site has been hacked recently.

      To help you plan your 11 RSHE (PSHE) lesson on: Financial security online, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...