Today’s goals:

• Learn internet and computer security basics
• Update your portfolio

 Today’s featured website:

• http://www.whatshouldireadnext.com/– Give it a try now.

 Internet & Computer Security Basics

• Discuss: What’s a virus? What’s malware? What’s spam?
• Discuss: Have you ever experienced any of those things?
• Do: How much do you already know about security? Let’s find out.
• Watch: Let’s also check out this short video
• Read: Quick and to the point: a security expert’s 3 rules for online security
• Protecting your devices
  1. Install software and hardware updates. The most recent major cyber attack was successful because it exploited security issues in outdated Microsoft software.
  2. Keep browsers and apps up to date. How do you do this?
  3. Never download anything you don’t recognize or that doesn’t look legitimate! How can you tell? Let’s look at both mobile apps and internet searches for downloads.
  4. Always use anti-virus programs on your computers, even Macs. AVG and Avast make good free anti-virus programs. Do you need an anti-virus program on your phone or tablet?
  5. Use a passcode on your phone and a password on your computer account.
  6. Never connect to a Wi-Fi network you don’t recognize. When using public Wi-Fi, like at Starbucks or the library or wherever, stick to browsing the web or using music apps. Be careful with using apps or sites that contain personal information, such as banking apps and email. Finally, make sure your home Wi-Fi is secure and password protected.
  7. Back up your important files regularly!
• Protecting your accounts
  1. Create long, secure passwords that have a combination of numbers, symbols, and upper/lowercase letters.
  2. Don’t use the same password for multiple accounts.
  3. Consider using a secure password manager to manage all of your passwords.
  4. Never email your password.
  5. Consider enabling 2 factor authentication. For example, you must get a text with a secure code before logging into your Gmail account on an unknown computer.
• Avoiding malware
  1. What is malware?
  2. How can you tell if a website is legitimate? Or something you want to download? Or an app?
  3. Should you click on pop-up ads on websites and in games?
  4. Should you click on links or download things in emails from a person or address you don’t recognize?
  5. Should you always click on a link with an outrageous headline about a celebrity?
  6. How can you tell if an email is legitimate? For example, if Apple emails you about your Apple ID?
  7. Still not sure if a site is legit? This Google scanner can help.
• Protecting your website
  1. Make sure you web host has protections in place to prevent malware from infecting your site.
  2. If you use WordPress, keep it up to date along with all plug-ins and themes. Use a different username than admin and make sure you have a long, secure password.
  3. Use a site scanner if you suspect your site has been compromised.
• Bad things that can happen
  1. Computer or device destroyed; files lost; money stolen; identity stolen

 Update Your Online Portfolio

Your online portfolio will be one of the projects you’re being graded on for 4th quarter. Review the check list to make sure you have everything you need to receive a good grade. Make any necessary changes to your portfolio.

Link to log into the class webpage: mhswebdesign.com/wp-admin

 Checklist for Success

• Make sure you do the following to end up in the “wildly successful”, A-range category.
• Wildly successful (A-range):
  1. You have a variety of media from throughout the entire school year- webpage project screen shots, Harvest of the Month, and other graphics
  2. Each image, screen shot, link, or graphic has a description. Examples: I created this interactive image to promote my school’s Harvest of the Month program. I created this page when I first began learning CSS.
  3. Your portfolio page is linked to your other page
  4. You have at least 2 Harvest of the Month graphics (the actual graphic, not screen shots)
  5. You have screen shots of at least 3 different webpage projects
• Moderately successful (B/C-range):
  1. You have a variety of media from throughout the entire school year- webpage project screen shots, Harvest of the Month, and other graphics
  2. Almost all images, screen shots, links, or graphics have a description. Examples: I created this interactive image to promote my school’s Harvest of the Month program. I created this page when I first began learning CSS.
  3. Your portfolio page is linked to your other page
  4. You have at least 2 Harvest of the Month graphics (the actual graphic, not screen shots)
  5. You have screen shots of at least 3 different webpage projects
• Not so successful (C or lower-range):
  1. Your portfolio lacks content
  2. There are very few descriptions of the projects
  3. You have less than the required minimum amounts of Harvest of the Month graphics and webpage project screen shots
  4. Your portfolio isn’t linked to your other page

 Publish Your Work Online (optional)

Some of you have had your work published live on our class directory on the school webpage. You’re welcome to have your work published here if you’re very proud of one of your projects and think it’s well-done, including any page using JavaScript.

Let me know if you want to publish your work here. Once published, you MUST copy and paste the link to your live page and paste it on your portfolio page with a description.