Digital Literacy for Everyone

ClickWise

A friendly guide to staying safe online โ€” built with care by Xaden for your community.

Three Essential Lessons

๐Ÿšจ

Recognizing Scams

Learn how to spot suspicious messages, fake websites, and phone calls that try to steal your information.

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๐Ÿ”’

Strong Passwords

Find out how to create passwords that are hard to guess โ€” and tips for keeping track of them safely.

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๐Ÿ“น

Video Calling

Learn how to use Zoom and FaceTime to stay connected with family and friends from anywhere.

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About This Project

ClickWise was created by Xaden as a senior capstone project to help community members navigate the digital world safely and confidently. Each module uses plain language, big text, and real examples.

After your workshop, please fill out our short Post-Workshop Survey so we can keep improving.

Module 1

๐Ÿšจ Recognizing Scams

Scammers try to trick people every day. This lesson teaches you what to look for โ€” so you can stay safe and protect your information.

What Is a Scam?

A scam is when someone tries to trick you into giving away money or personal information โ€” like your Social Security number, bank account, or passwords.

Scams can arrive by phone call, text message, email, or even at your front door. They can seem very real, but there are warning signs you can learn to spot.

The 5 Big Warning Signs

  • It creates urgency. "Act NOW or your account will be closed!" Real companies rarely demand instant action.
  • It asks for unusual payment. Requests for gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency are almost always scams.
  • It's too good to be true. "You've won $10,000!" โ€” if you didn't enter a contest, you didn't win.
  • It asks for personal info. Your bank, Medicare, or Social Security office will never call and ask for your number.
  • The contact info looks off. Emails from "amazon-support@gmail.com" or phone numbers you don't recognize are red flags.
โš ๏ธ Golden Rule: When in doubt, hang up or don't click. You can always call the company back using the number on their official website.

Common Scam Types

Tech Support Scam: A pop-up or caller says your computer has a virus and asks you to pay to fix it or give them remote access.

"Your computer has been hacked. Call Microsoft immediately at 1-800-XXX-XXXX." โ€” This is always fake. Microsoft does not call you.

Grandparent Scam: Someone calls pretending to be your grandchild in trouble, asking for money urgently.

"Grandma, it's me! I'm in trouble and need $500 in gift cards โ€” please don't tell Mom." โ€” Hang up and call your grandchild directly.

Phishing Email: A fake email pretending to be from your bank, the IRS, or Amazon, asking you to click a link and enter your details.

What To Do If You're Targeted

  • Hang up, close the email, or delete the text โ€” right away.
  • Do not click any links or call any phone numbers in suspicious messages.
  • Talk to a trusted family member or friend before doing anything.
  • Report it: call 1-877-382-4357 (the FTC's fraud hotline).
๐Ÿ’› You're not alone: Millions of people are targeted by scams every year. Being tricked doesn't mean you did anything wrong โ€” scammers are professionals at deception.
๐Ÿง 

Ready to Test Your Knowledge?

5 quick questions on scam recognition. You'll get instant feedback on each answer.

Module 2

๐Ÿ”’ Strong Passwords

A good password is your first line of defense online. This lesson shows you how to create strong ones โ€” and how to keep track of them.

Why Passwords Matter

When you create an account online โ€” for email, banking, or shopping โ€” a password is the key to that account. A weak password is like a flimsy lock on your front door.

If a scammer guesses your password, they can access your email, your bank account, and even your personal photos.

What Makes a Password Weak?

  • Using your name, birthday, or pet's name.
  • Common words like "password," "hello," or "123456."
  • Short passwords โ€” anything under 8 characters.
  • Using the same password for every account.
๐Ÿšซ Avoid these: "Mary1950" ยท "password123" ยท "ilovemydogs" โ€” these are among the first things hackers try.

How to Create a Strong Password

The best passwords are long, random, and unique. Here's a simple method that works great:

The "Three Random Words" method: Pick 3 words that have nothing to do with each other, then add some numbers and a symbol.

๐ŸŽ "Apple" + ๐Ÿš‚ "Train" + ๐ŸŒต "Cactus" โ†’ AppleTrain!Cactus47

This is easy to remember but very hard to guess. It's 20 characters long!

Tips for a great password:

  • At least 12 characters long (longer is better)
  • Mix uppercase and lowercase letters
  • Include a number and a symbol like ! @ # $
  • Never use it for more than one account
โœ… Strong example: "BlueSky!Porch84" โ€” 15 characters, mixed case, a symbol, and numbers. Much better than "Mary1950"!

How to Keep Track of Passwords

It's hard to remember many different passwords. Here are your options:

Option 1 โ€” Write them down (safely): Keep a small notebook with your passwords. Store it in a secure, private place โ€” not on your desk or near your computer. Label it something ordinary.

Option 2 โ€” Use a Password Manager: These are apps (like LastPass or the one built into your phone) that store all your passwords securely. You only need to remember one master password.

๐Ÿ’› Ask for help: Setting up a password manager is easier with a family member or tech helper. It's worth the effort โ€” you only set it up once!

Two-Step Verification

Many websites offer "two-step verification" (also called 2FA). When you log in, they send a text message with a short code to your phone. You type that code to prove it's really you.

This is like having two locks on your door. Even if someone guesses your password, they still can't get in without your phone.

๐Ÿ“ฑ Turn it on: If your bank or email offers two-step verification, it's a good idea to enable it. Ask a family member or the bank to help you set it up.
๐Ÿง 

Ready to Test Your Knowledge?

5 quick questions on creating strong passwords. You'll get instant feedback on each answer.

Module 3

๐Ÿ“น Video Calling

Video calls let you see and talk to family and friends face-to-face, even from far away. Let's learn how to use them with confidence.

What Is a Video Call?

A video call is like a phone call โ€” but with video. You can see the person you're talking to on your screen, and they can see you. It's a wonderful way to feel connected.

Popular apps include FaceTime (for Apple devices like iPhones and iPads) and Zoom (works on any device, great for groups).

What You Need

  • A smartphone, tablet, or computer with a camera and microphone (most have these built in).
  • A Wi-Fi or internet connection.
  • The app installed (FaceTime comes pre-installed on Apple devices; Zoom is a free download).
๐Ÿ“ก Wi-Fi tip: Video calls use more internet than regular calls. If the image is blurry or choppy, try moving closer to your Wi-Fi router.

How to Make a FaceTime Call

  • Step 1: Open the FaceTime app on your iPhone or iPad โ€” it looks like a green video camera.
  • Step 2: Tap the "+" button to start a new call.
  • Step 3: Type in the name or phone number of the person you want to call.
  • Step 4: Tap "Video" to start the video call.
  • Step 5: When you're done, tap the red "End" button.
๐Ÿ“ฑ Both people need Apple: FaceTime only works between Apple devices (iPhones, iPads, or Macs). If the other person has Android, use Zoom instead.

How to Join a Zoom Meeting

  • Step 1: Someone will send you a Zoom link โ€” usually by text message or email. It looks like a web address (e.g., zoom.us/j/1234567890).
  • Step 2: Tap or click the link. Your phone or computer will open Zoom automatically.
  • Step 3: Tap "Join with Video" to let others see you.
  • Step 4: Tap "Join with Audio" (or "Call Over Internet") so others can hear you.
  • Step 5: You're in! To leave, tap "Leave" or the red "X."
If you receive a text that says "Join our family call Saturday at 2pm: zoom.us/j/987654321" โ€” just tap that link at 2pm and follow the steps above.

During the Call: Helpful Buttons

  • ๐Ÿ”‡ Mute/Unmute: Tap the microphone icon to turn your sound on or off. Mute yourself when you're not speaking in large groups โ€” it reduces background noise.
  • ๐Ÿ“ท Camera on/off: Tap the camera icon to show or hide your video.
  • ๐Ÿ’ฌ Chat: In Zoom, you can type messages to everyone โ€” great if someone can't hear you.
  • ๐Ÿ”ด Leave: Always tap "Leave" rather than just closing the app โ€” it lets others know you've gone.
๐Ÿ’ก Lighting tip: Sit facing a window or a lamp โ€” natural light in front of you makes you look great on video! Avoid sitting with a window behind you.

Staying Safe on Video Calls

  • Only join calls from people you know. Be cautious about links from strangers.
  • You're allowed to keep your camera off if you're not comfortable โ€” just tap the camera icon.
  • If something feels wrong during a call, it's okay to leave immediately.
๐Ÿง 

Ready to Test Your Knowledge?

5 quick questions on video calling. You'll get instant feedback on each answer.

Post-Workshop

๐Ÿ“‹ Workshop Survey

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