Safe browsing habits in Intro to Computing - Practice Problems & Coding Challenges

Challenge - 5 Problems

🧠 Conceptual

intermediate

Identifying Safe Website Indicators

Which of the following signs best indicates that a website is safe to browse and enter personal information?

A The website URL starts with "https://" and shows a padlock icon in the address bar.

B The website has many colorful ads and pop-ups.

C The website URL is very long and contains many random numbers and letters.

D The website asks for your password immediately after opening.

💡 Hint

Look for signs that show the website uses encryption to protect your data.

A website that starts with https:// and shows a padlock icon means it uses encryption to keep your information safe. Ads, long random URLs, or immediate password requests are warning signs.

❓ identification

intermediate

Recognizing Phishing Attempts

You receive an email that asks you to click a link to verify your bank account details. The email address looks suspicious and the message has spelling mistakes. What should you do?

A Forward the email to your friends to warn them.

B Click the link and enter your details quickly to avoid account suspension.

C Reply to the email asking for more information.

D Ignore the email and delete it without clicking any links.

💡 Hint

Think about how banks usually communicate and how to handle suspicious emails.

Phishing emails try to trick you into giving personal info. Banks usually don’t ask for sensitive info by email. The safest action is to delete suspicious emails without clicking links.

❓ Comparison

advanced

Comparing Password Safety Practices

Which password practice is the safest when browsing online?

A Using the same simple password for all websites for easy remembering.

B Using a password manager to create and store complex passwords.

C Writing passwords on a sticky note attached to your computer.

D Sharing your passwords only with close friends.

💡 Hint

Think about how to keep passwords both strong and private.

A password manager helps create strong, unique passwords and stores them securely, reducing the risk of hacking. Sharing passwords or reusing simple ones increases risk.

❓ trace

advanced

Tracing Steps to Avoid Malware

Follow the steps below and identify which action increases the risk of malware infection while browsing.

1. Clicking on a link from an unknown email.
2. Keeping your browser and antivirus software updated.
3. Downloading files only from trusted websites.
4. Using a pop-up blocker to avoid unwanted ads.

A Step 2 increases risk because updates can cause errors.

B Step 3 increases risk because trusted websites can be hacked.

C Step 1 increases risk because unknown links may contain malware.

D Step 4 increases risk because pop-up blockers can block useful content.

💡 Hint

Consider which action exposes you to unknown or harmful content.

Clicking links from unknown emails is risky because they can lead to malware. Keeping software updated and using blockers reduce risk. Trusted sites are safer for downloads.

🚀 Application

expert

Choosing the Safest Browsing Setup

You want to set up your computer for the safest browsing experience. Which combination of actions provides the best protection?

A Use a VPN on public Wi-Fi, keep browser and antivirus updated, and use two-factor authentication for accounts.

B Use a public Wi-Fi without a VPN, disable browser updates, and save passwords in the browser.

C Disable antivirus software to speed up browsing, use simple passwords, and ignore browser warnings.

D Share your passwords with family, click all links from emails, and disable pop-up blockers.

💡 Hint

Think about layers of protection and secure habits.

Using a VPN protects your data on public Wi-Fi. Keeping software updated fixes security holes. Two-factor authentication adds extra login security. Other options increase risk.

Practice

1. Which of the following is a sign that a website is secure for browsing?

easy

A. The website URL starts with https:// and shows a padlock icon

B. The website has many colorful images

C. The website loads very quickly

D. The website has a lot of advertisements

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify website security indicators

   Secure websites use https:// and display a padlock icon to show encrypted connection.

2. Step 2: Compare options with security signs

   Only The website URL starts with https:// and shows a padlock icon mentions these security signs, others are unrelated to security.

3. Final Answer:

   The website URL starts with https:// and shows a padlock icon -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Secure website = https:// + padlock [OK]

Hint: Look for https and padlock to confirm security [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking fast loading means secure
• Assuming colorful design means safety
• Ignoring the URL prefix

2. Which of these is the correct way to check if a link is safe before clicking?

easy

A. Click the link quickly to see where it goes

B. Hover over the link to see the full URL before clicking

C. Ignore the link if it looks colorful

D. Copy the link and paste it into a chat

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand how to preview links safely

   Hovering over a link shows the full URL without clicking, helping to check if it looks trustworthy.

2. Step 2: Evaluate other options

   Clicking quickly or ignoring based on color is unsafe; copying to chat doesn't verify safety.

3. Final Answer:

   Hover over the link to see the full URL before clicking -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Hover to preview link = safe check [OK]

Hint: Hover to preview link URL before clicking [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Clicking links without checking
• Judging safety by colors only
• Sharing links without verifying

3. What will happen if you connect to public Wi-Fi without using a VPN?

medium

A. Your device will automatically block all websites

B. Your device will become invisible to hackers

C. Your internet speed will be faster and safer

D. Your data might be intercepted by others on the same network

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand risks of public Wi-Fi

   Public Wi-Fi networks are often unsecured, allowing others to intercept data if no protection like VPN is used.

2. Step 2: Analyze each option

   Only Your data might be intercepted by others on the same network correctly describes the risk; others are false or misleading.

3. Final Answer:

   Your data might be intercepted by others on the same network -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Public Wi-Fi without VPN = data risk [OK]

Hint: Public Wi-Fi without VPN risks data interception [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming public Wi-Fi is always safe
• Believing device blocks all sites automatically
• Thinking speed improves security

4. You receive an email with a link that looks suspicious. What is the best way to check it safely?

medium

A. Click the link to see if it asks for personal info

B. Forward the email to friends to ask if it is safe

C. Hover over the link to check the URL and do not click if suspicious

D. Reply to the email asking if the link is safe

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify safe link checking method

   Hovering over the link reveals the URL without clicking, helping to spot suspicious addresses safely.

2. Step 2: Evaluate unsafe options

   Clicking or replying risks exposure; forwarding spreads potential threats.

3. Final Answer:

   Hover over the link to check the URL and do not click if suspicious -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Hover to check suspicious links safely [OK]

Hint: Hover, don't click suspicious email links [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Clicking suspicious links
• Sharing suspicious emails
• Replying to unknown senders

5. You want to download a free app from a website. Which combination of safe browsing habits should you follow?

hard

A. Check the website uses https, read reviews, and avoid downloading from unknown sites

B. Download quickly before the offer expires, ignore reviews, and share the link with friends

C. Use public Wi-Fi to download faster and click all pop-ups to get the app

D. Disable antivirus temporarily and download from any website

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify safe website and download practices

   Checking for https ensures secure connection; reading reviews helps verify app safety; avoiding unknown sites reduces risk.

2. Step 2: Analyze unsafe habits

   Options A, B, and C include risky actions like disabling antivirus, ignoring reviews, or using public Wi-Fi without protection.

3. Final Answer:

   Check the website uses https, read reviews, and avoid downloading from unknown sites -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Secure site + reviews + trusted source = safe download [OK]

Hint: Use https, reviews, and trusted sites for downloads [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Ignoring website security
• Downloading from unknown sources
• Disabling antivirus protection