Understanding phishing/basic internet security guide, for teens?

Question

I just helped a 13 year-old relative set up a new Windows 7 desktop, making it as secure as I can remember knowing how to.

I has been an hour, and he just came to me saying "I seem to have a virus.". It was a website scam showing the big "You have a virus! ====== scan 100% complete.", with clever pop-ups and javascript, with the standard "clicking to close the window tries to install software" situation. Very good facsimile of a virus alert that has probably caught many adults.

I explained a little, and searched for some resources for explaining phishing and/or good software install policies, but didn't find much useful (other than a single corporately-bland youtube video).

So, anyone aware of any useful resources out there for conveying this tricky security issue?

Answer 1

Alison Gianotto (@snipeyhead on Twitter) has a good basic presentation meant for small companies available on one of her sites. http://www.snipe.net/2011/01/security-keynote/

It's a good overview at a non-technical level of all the "bad things" that can happen on the internet.

Alison is mildly-NSFW, however if your relative is old enough to surf the web unaccompanied, they're old enough for this document.

Hope this helps.

Answer 2

This is a video explaining phishing scams in a clear, simple way with drawings and audio. It's mostly targeted at banking customers, and talks a lot about credit cards and banking details, but the lessons explained in it apply to other forms of online activities.