Week 11 · Theme 2, Lesson 4 How to Deal with Fake Websites · 3 lessons
1
Too good to be true
ICT P5 Term 1, Theme 2: pp. 58–61
GoalName four kinds of fake website and explain how scams work.
New words
scam · a trick to take money or private detailsfake website · a website that pretends to be something it is notbait · something attractive that is used to catch youtoo good to be true · an offer so wonderful that it is probably a trick
Explanation
A fisherman puts a tasty worm on a hook. The fish sees only the worm. A scam website works the same way: it shows bait, such as ‘a free tablet for everyone’, and hopes you bite. Then it asks for private details, and later misuses them. A good rule: if an offer is too good to be true, it probably is. There are four main kinds of fake site. A look-alike site copies a real one. A shop that never sends the goods takes the money and nothing arrives. A scary warning site says ‘Your device is broken! Install this now!’ A prize site promises a gift that never comes. If you meet one, close it and tell a trusted adult. You are not in trouble.
Kind of fake site
What it does
look-alike
copies a real site to get your details
shop that never delivers
takes money, sends nothing
scary warning
frightens you into installing something
prize that never pays
promises a gift, asks for details
Worked examples
An invented page says ‘Win a free football! Just type your parents’ names and your address.’ It is bait. Seif closes it and tells his father.
A shop page sells a phone for a very low price. Marwan’s mother thinks, ‘Too good to be true.’ She does not buy, and checks the price in a shop she knows.
A pretend warning flashes in red: ‘Your tablet is in danger!’ Mariam does not click. She calls her aunt to come and look. Scary words are a trick to hurry you.
Class activity
Bait spotting. Write four pretend adverts on paper (for example ‘Free tablet for everyone today!’). Circle the bait word in each. Tell which of the four kinds of fake site each one might be. Then write one question that makes you think: ‘Why would a stranger give me this for free?’
Practice
1
What is bait on a scam website?
Something attractive, like a free prize, used to catch you.
2
Name two kinds of fake website.
For example: look-alike, shop that never delivers, scary warning, prize that never pays.
