Lesson

Lesson:

 * Title:** Deciphering Fake or Hoax sites from Real sites.


 * Learners:** Middle and Senior years students, specifically for computer and technology courses.

1. To be able to analyze differences between fake and real sites 2. To recognize common errors or 'red flags' that tend to show a site is fake 3. Allow students to be more safe and aware of pottential risks when using technology 4. Use technology to research and uncover facts about fake sites 5. Get students to present their findings and give explanations through a presentation
 * Outcomes/ Objectives:**

-** [|'How to spot a fake website'] (hand-out) information from getsafeonline.org - Computer or other technology with Internet access - Online quizes on detecting fake websites ( [|FAKE SITES TEST] (District 214 Library Services) [|CATCH A PHISH] (Washington Post) )
 * Material and Resources:

-** Get students engaged: to start off lesson present some 'believable' fake sites to the class and really get them thinking that its a reliable source. Show another site that is actually real and get them confused as to which one is more reliable or realistic - Explain the purpose of the lesson which will be to detect fake sites based on the handout given out on how to spot fake websites - Introduce some of the common 'red flags' to look for in detecting fake sites from the hand-out
 * Introduction/ Explanation:

-** On a screen in front of the entire class pull up a fake site - Give a couple of examples that make the site evidently fake based on hand-out deciphering key. - Ask students to give examples as well - Depending on class understanding or experience with fake sites pull up a real site (without them knowing) and ask them to tell you what makes it a fake site.
 * Guided Practice:

-** Have students work either in small groups or individually depending on the amount of technology available in the class - Students should use the hand-out and pick a specific site that has been given as an option by the teacher - Have students keep note of the discrepancies they find in the sites, for later presentation with peers - Get students to do the online quizes (links listed in the materials and resources above)
 * Independent Practice:

- Stress the risks and issues with fake sites - Discuss and explain the major common facts found through out the lesson - Test the learners understanding by having them find a fake site on the web and explaining why it is fake
 * Conclusion:**

- Based on students on task behavior (actually fulfilling lessons objectives) - Writing down and presenting their findings - Grade on Online quiz
 * Evaluation:**

How to spot a fake website ([])

 * Use your instincts and commonsense. If it smells bad, it’s probably rotten.
 * Look for evidence of a real-world presence: an address, a phone number, an email contact. If in doubt, send an email, make a phone call or write a letter to establish whether they really exist.
 * The website’s address is different from what you are used to, perhaps there are extra characters or words in it or it uses a completely different name or no name at all, just numbers.
 * Right-clicking on a hyperlink and selecting “Properties” should reveal a link’s true destination – beware if this is different from what is displayed in the email.
 * Even though you are asked to enter private information there is NO padlock in the browser window or ‘https://’ at the beginning of the web address to signify that it is using a secure link and that the site is what it says it is (see Learn about secure web pages).
 * A request for personal information such as user name, password or other security details IN FULL, when you are normally only asked for SOME of them.
 * Although rare, it is possible for your computer to be corrupted by viruses in such a way that you can type a legitimate website address into your browser and still end up at a fake site. This problem is known as 'pharming'. Check the address in your browser's address bar after you arrive at a website to make sure it matches the address you typed. Subtle changes ('eebay' instead of 'ebay' for example) may indicate that your computer is a victim of a pharming attack.

Avoid dodgy sites

 * Avoid sites that hype investments, whether in shares or alleged rarities like old wine, whisky or property. Do your homework and always get professional advice before making investment decisions.
 * Be wary of sites that promise easy profits. If it looks too good to be true, it probably is. Be particularly sceptical of schemes that involve the recruitment of others, receiving money for other people or advance payments.
 * Do a web search to see if anyone has had any problems with a suspicious-looking website.
 * Don’t judge a website by its appearance. It is easy to create flashy, professional-looking sites and it is easy to steal other people’s web pages and designs.
 * Be wary of websites that are advertised in unsolicited emails from strangers.

For additional lesson plans for digital natives click on the links below: