Alert learners to the risks posed by ransomware and help learners know what to do if they become the victims of a ransomware attack
About This Module
This curriculum module is based on takeaways from series four of NYC Digital Safety training videos. You may use this module by:
- Including it in your pre-existing public workshops
- Combining it with other NYC Digital Safety modules to make a longer data-privacy focused workshop
- Sharing the handout with library users at various service points
Downloadable presentation slides, a facilitation guide, and a handout can be found below.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this module, learners will be able to:
- Define ransomware
- Describe how ransomware works
- Identify approaches for handling and avoiding ransomware attacks
Lesson Plan
This lesson plan is also included in the downloadable facilitation guide below. You are welcome to use any and all of this, or adapt it as you see fit.
This module will take approximately 50 minutes to complete.
Introduction and welcome
Greet learners and share the plan for this lesson.
Defining ransomware
Pass out the handout now, or at any point in the lesson. Provide a brief definition of ransomware and pause to see if anyone has any questions or anything to add to the definition
Discussion: Examples of ransomware
Put your learners into small groups. Have them brainstorm about examples of ransomware they might have heard about or even experienced before. Have your learners report back on what they discussed
Ransomware attacks
Review what happens during a ransomware attack, including the infection and attack phase. Review the information on who is targeted by ransomware. Pause to see if there are any questions
Ways to manage a ransomware attack
Review the steps and suggestions for ways to manage a ransomware attack and to avoid or prevent such attacks. See if anyone has any other suggestions to add
Activity: Avoiding ransomware
Have your learners get into small groups. Have them review and discuss best practices for avoiding scams and malware, as a way to avoid ransomware
Wrap up, final tips, and final questions
Review the closing thoughts and share the suggested resources. See if anyone has any final questions
Next Steps
Download the materials below for use in your workshop or at service points throughout your library.
If you plan to create a longer privacy-focused workshop using these materials, here is a link to Google slides. Feel free to make a copy if you’d like to add these slides to any other deck.
And please let us know how it went! Use this form to share your feedback on this module. We’d love to hear from you.
