troubleshooting

Q3 Safeguarding Your Devices: Tech Support Scams

8. Troubleshooting

Tech Support Scams

At the beginning of this Quest, you played the Intro video, Safeguarding Your Devices, and learned three basic tips for preventing common problems. These tips address malware, antivirus software, and rebooting your computer. 

An additional and important tip concerns tech support scams. These can happen to anyone. A pop-up on a webpage, screen, or smartphone might indicate something is wrong with your device.

Step 1.  Learn about the tips shared in the How to Avoid a Tech Support Scam YouTube (3:06) video.

Step 2. Refer to the article, What You Should Know About Tech Support Scams, to learn:

  • How to spot tech support scams in three scenarios.
  • How to avoid tech support scams.
  • What do you do if you have been scammed?

How to Avoid a Tech Support Scam

Direct link (3:06 min.)

Step 3. Malware is software designed to harm computer devices and systems. Copy or download the 8.Q3 Malware Activity Document to complete as you play the video below.

Malware - Computer Skills for Kids and Teens

Direct Link (9:21 min.)

Step 4. Tips About Cleaning Your Computing Devices Properly

Questions:

  • Is soap and water all right to use?
  • Can I spray a product directly on them?
  • What about ammonia, chlorox, and hydrogen peroxide? Are they safe?
  • Should I use an alcohol wipe? 
  • Should I use a damp paper towel on my phone or tablet screen?
  • What about headphones? How should I clean them?

Step 5. Visit 10 Must-Know Tips for Cleaning Every Electronic Device the Right Way to learn how to clean your device correctly. 

Step 6. Work with a partner and create a Best Tips Poster for safeguarding and cleaning your computing devices. Use a favorite application (check with your teacher as needed) to share and turn in.


  8.Q3 Vocabulary

8.Q3 Anti Virus Protection 

8.Q3 Student Checklist

8.Q3 Teacher Guide

MITECS Michigan Integrated Technology Competencies for Students, and

ISTE Standards for Students

1. Empowered Learner
a. Students connect their learning needs, strengths and interests to their goals and use technology to help achieve them and reflect on their progress.
c. Students use technology to seek feedback that informs and improves their practice and to demonstrate their learning in a variety of ways.
d. Students understand fundamental concepts of how technology works, demonstrate the ability to choose and use current technologies effectively, and are adept at thoughtfully exploring emerging technologies.

3. Knowledge Constructor
d. Students build knowledge by exploring real-world issues and gain experience in applying their learning in authentic settings.

5. Computational Thinker
c. Students break problems into component parts, extract key information and develop descriptive models to understand complex systems or facilitate problem-solving.
d. Students understand how automation works and use algorithmic thinking to develop a sequence of steps to create and test automated solutions.


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