Digital Literacy & Cybersecurity (7 Week Course)

This course will be designed for adults who want to confidently learn how to navigate the digital world while protecting their personal information, finances, and privacy. No prior technical knowledge of cybersecurity or any technical knowledge is required. This course is open to students, working professionals who want to become more secure in their work environment, parents who want to protect themselves and their children online, and anyone who genuinely wants to learn about safe online habits. About the presenter: Alajah Riv holds a bachelors degree in Cybersecurity Analytics and Operations from Penn State University and is currently pursuing a masters in Cybersecurity at Brown University. Through her work in threat intelligence and security operations, she has experience analyzing cyberattacks, identifying system vulnerabilities, and understanding how evolving online threats impact everyday life, often without us realizing it. She looks forward to helping patrons build confidence in navigating the digital world safely and fostering a community where we can learn and grow together to stay secure online. Week 1: Introductions How the Internet Works: This week covers the history and evolution of the internet, introducing participants to the key individuals who helped shape what we use every day. Participants will explore how the internet has changed over time, assess their current cybersecurity knowledge, and connect with others in the course. Week 2: Developing Safe Online Habits: Participants will assess their own online habits by developing miniature risk assessments. Individuals will also explore safe browsing habits when interacting on the web, including communicating with friends, using social media platforms, and engaging in e-commerce. Week 3: Recognizing Dangerous Behavior Online: Participants will learn about phishing, impersonation tactics used by hackers, and text scams. Individuals will learn how to detect red flags such as urgency, suspicious links, and fake email headers. Week 4: Social Engineering Cyber Threats: Participants will learn through discussion and real-world cases about how hackers use human behavior and manipulation tactics to gain unauthorized access to systems. Individuals will gain practical skills to recognize and avoid these common tactics. Week 5: Securing Personal Devices: Participants will learn how to protect personal devices by performing software updates, managing app permissions, and adjusting privacy settings. This week will also cover safe practices for connecting to public networks. Week 6: Passwords Multifactor Authentication: Participants will learn to create strong, unique passwords and store them securely with password managers. Individuals will also learn the importance of multifactor authentication and how to use it as an additional layer of security when protecting accounts. Week 7: Digital Footprint, Online Privacy Conclusion Real-World Application: Participants will understand how online activity leaves a lasting digital footprint. Individuals will explore the risks associated with oversharing on platforms such as social media, blogs, and public forums. Participants will leave with the confidence and skills needed to navigate the online world safely, emphasizing long-term habits for continued digital security. This program supports Information Literacy as defined by the PA Forward Star Program.