Empowerment Technologies users to fraudulent Web sites without their
First Quarter – Week 2 knowledge or consent. This happened when the code
ONLINE SAFETY, SECURITY, ETHICS, AND
ETIQUETTE
LEARNING ACTIVITY SHEET
Background Information
As our society faces the ‘new normal’, most of
our daily tasks now need the assistance of Information and
Communication Technologies. Thanks to the internet,
because we can now meet and communicate with each
other online. Paying bills, buying goods, growing your
network of friends and even learning can be done online.
Life now is almost turning to digital media. According to
(Preston n.d.), digital media is any form of media that uses
electronic devices for distribution. This form of media can
be created, viewed, modified and distributed via electronic
devices. And it is very important that you not only know
how to use and deal with these technologies but it is
necessary to know the different threats brought by the
internet and be equipped on how to keep your
private information safe and secure online.
Private information is your sensitive personal information
or your identity such as your username and passwords
or bank accounts. Even though the government
has already set a policy, the Republic Act 10173 or the
Data Privacy Act of 2012, that is to protect the
fundamental human right of privacy, of
communication while ensuring free flow of information to
promote innovation and growth (Republic Act 10173 –
Data Privacy Act of 2012 n.d.), it is important to have the
knowledge of maximizing your private information in
order to keep it safe and secure is called online safety or
web safety or internet safety. It is also necessary to apply
ethics and etiquette online to avoid problems in facing
digital media.
Key Concepts
The following are some of the internet threats you need to be
aware of:
Email Scam/Junk Mail/Spam Mail - Usually
unsolicited commercial email sent from an
unknown source with identical message sent to
multiple recipients. Usually not dangerous but can be
time and space consuming. Dangerous ones can carry
viruses and other malicious software or malware.
Email Spoofing - is the creation of emails with a
forged sender address. The goal of email spoofing is to get
recipients to open, respond and engage with the email
message. Email spoofing can greatly increase the
effectiveness of phishing and other email-based cyberattacks
by tricking the recipient into trusting the email and its sender
(Tunggal 2019). It is usually used by spammers to hide the
origin of the spam.
Phishing is a deceitful practice of getting your personal
information using email or text messages. Scammers may
try to steal your passwords, account numbers, or Social
Security numbers. If they get that information, they could
gain access to your email, bank, or other accounts (Federal
Tr. Comm. ’19)
Pharming - is a scamming practice in which malicious code
is installed on a personal computer or server, misdirecting
sent in an e-mail modifies local host files on a personal
computer. A computer with a compromised host file will go
to the fake Web site even if a user types in the correct
Internet address or clicks on an affected bookmark entry
(Rouse, Pharming n.d.).
Computer Viruses - are small programs or scripts that can
negatively affect the health of your computer. These
malicious little programs can create files, move
files, erase files, consume your computer's memory, and
cause your computer not to function correctly. Some
viruses can duplicate themselves, attach themselves to
programs, and travel across networks. In fact, opening an
infected e-mail attachment is the most common way to
get a virus (Christensson, Virus Definition 2011).
Spyware - is software that "spies" on your computer where it
captures information like Web browsing habits, e-
mail messages, usernames and passwords, and credit
card information. If left unchecked, the software can
transmit this data to another person's computer over the
Internet. It can be installed when you open an e-mail
attachment containing the malicious software. It can also be
installed when you install another program that has a
spyware installer attached to it (Christensson, Spyware
Definition 2006).
Pop-ads - a type of window that appears on top of (over) the
browser window of a Web site that a user has visited (Pop-
up Ad n.d.). It is also called as pop-up ads. It can also be
used by hackers to steal your personal information (such as
your bank details). Clicking pop-up ads can redirect you to
sites that can infect your computer and system files (What
Causes Pop-up Ads and How to Remove Them 2019).
There are also common threats to personal safety. They
are the following:
1. Cyberstalking
– is the same as physical stalking by giving
unwanted obsessive attention to a specific person like
following, secret surveillance, persistent and
manipulative calling and texting, and other means
of approaching the victim unexpectedly but cyber
stalkers rely on online technology to do it. Email,
social networks, instant messaging, personal data
available online – everything on the Internet can be
used by cyberstalks to make inappropriate contact
with their victims (Andrea 2020).
2. Cyberbullying
 - is bullying that takes place over digital devices like
cell phones, computers, and tablets. It can occur
through SMS, Text, and apps, or online in social
media, forums, or gaming where people can view,
participate in, or share content. It includes sending,
posting, or sharing negative, harmful, false, or mean
content about someone else like sharing personal or
private information causing embarrassment or
humiliation. Some cyberbullying crosses the line into
unlawful or criminal behavior (What Is
Cyberbullying 2020).
3. Online Predation - is the act of engaging an
underage minor into inappropriate sexual
relationships through the internet. Online predators
may attempt to initiate and seduce minors
into relationships through the use of chat rooms or
internet forums. Online predators may try to lure
kids and teens into sexual conversations or
even face-to-face meetings. Predators will
sometimes send obscene material or request
that kids send pictures of themselves (Internet
Safety for Kids-Staying safe from online predators
n.d.).
4. Flaming - is the act of saying mean things online,
usually in ALL CAPS, and often in a public
forum with the intention to humiliate.
Online Ethics and Etiquette
In order for you to be safe and you can protect
your private information while you are working online, you
need to know and apply online ethics and etiquette.
Online ethics focuses on the acceptable use of
online resources in an online social environment.
Netiquette is a combination of the words network and
etiquette and is defined as a set of rules for acceptable
online behavior (What is Netiquette? A Guide to Online
Ethics and Etiquette n.d.).
10 Basic Rules of Netiquette
The rules of etiquette are just as important in cyberspace
as they are in the real world (Harney 2020)
1. Make Real People a Priority
If you are talking personally and face to face with
someone, stop browsing or chatting with anybody else
in your cellphone.
2. Use Respectful Language
Avoid name-calling, cursing, expressing
deliberately offensive opinions. In typing, don’t use
caps lock. Text in all caps is generally perceived as
yelling or flaming which cause misunderstanding and
trouble. Please don’t forget to say please and thank
you as appropriate.
3. Share with Discretion
Avoid sending naked sexy pictures, drunk
pictures, drug use pictures or unedited home video.
If you would have a problem with your boss, your
parents, or your kids seeing it now, or at any point
in the future, don’t post it online. Children should
not post private information online. Do not also
share your location or picture where you are
currently at. Keep your personal information
private.
4. Don’t Exclude Others
Don’t let others feel that they are the one you
are talking to in your obscure comment to your
Facebook status, forum or Instagram story. And if you
have an in-joke to share with one other person, or a
small number of people in a larger online group, send
them a private message.
5. Choose Friends Wisely
It is insulting to be dropped from
someone’s friend list on a social media site. So,
think about it before sending a friend request or
accepting an invitation. If you don’t want to be in
touch with someone, don’t add them in the first
place. This must be observed by kids or teens so
they will not be a victim of online predation.
People sometimes are good in pretending just to
get your attention or use fake accounts.
6. Respect People’s Privacy
One example is when you send email to
multiple recipients, don’t send it at once, you can
send it privately individually or use BCC (blind
carbon copy) rather than CC (carbon copy). The
same goes for uploading photos or videos that
include other people because others who are in this
photo don’t want to be viewed by unknown friends.
This also applies for tagging people on Facebook
because others don’t want to be tagged. Another
example is don’t sign up for newsletters and other
communications using someone’s email address. If
you apply this rule, hackers might not have chance
to enter and ruin your digital life.
7. Fact Check Before Reposting
If you aren't sure of the facts that
you’re going to repost, email it to someone
who does know or can find out. Or do a search on
Google or snopes.com. Because once you’ve
reposted a fake news or false facts, many can
possibly believe it and spread once again.
Don't forget also that many viruses are
circulated via chain letters and invitations. So,
forwarding or reposting this kind of messages will
not bring good luck but rather bad luck. Don’t
forget to cite the owner of the post or where it
came from. And before posting, check whether it is
appropriate or inappropriate to others.
8. Respond to Emails Promptly
In doing this, you can easily check
whether the emails you received are spams,
unsolicited messages or crafty stuffs and delete
these rights away. But if you send your email to
your friends or set it as public, then you need to
respond immediately. But doublecheck where it
really came because there are people who are fond
of playing or making fake emails just to get in
touch with you.
9. Update Online Information
Don't leave inaccurate information online
that will mislead your friends or your customers if
you have an online business. If you have a
business website, update it regularly. Like your
operating hours, if you are not available for that
time, change it right away.
10. Think before Click
Don’t hesitate to think before clicking
because you might click an unknown links or files
 that are likely to contain malware which will
infect your devices or a link to hacker’s website.
Think before clicking Like in social media
posts because it might be a suicide post that will
end to death because you liked his suicidal post.
Hacker - a clever or expert programmer who
can gain unauthorized access to other computers. He can
“hack” his way through the security levels of a
computer system or network (Christensson, Hacker
Definition 2006). And can vandalizes the victims’
website, steals personal information, obtains intellectual
property, and performs credit card fraud.
Most Essential Learning Competencies
• Apply online safety, security, ethics, and etiquette
standards and practice in the use of ICTs as it
would relate to your specific professional track
(CS_ICT11/12-ICTPTIa-b2).
ACTIVITY A. Match the items described with the internet
treat indicated inside the box.
A. Computer Virus F. Online Predation
B. Cyberbullying G. Pharming
C. Cyberstalking H. Phishing
D. Flaming I. Pop-ads
E. Hacker J. Spyware
1. This is one form of internet advertising
used by advertisers to get the attention of web
users but sometimes has an obscene or an offensive
content.
2. A 12-year old girl reported to her mother that an
old man appeared in her chat room asking and seducing her
to chat with him. The old man is doing an act of
__________.
3. Devon is fund of taking photos. While
they are practicing their play, he takes an embarrassing
photo of Lori who is a very shy girl. He then posts the
photo on social media and spread it to his friends. Lori is a
victim of __________.
4. Because of what Devon did to Lori, Lori fought
back by sending this message “YOU IDIOT! BASTARD!!
GO TO HELL!!!” to Devon. He received a __________
word.
5. Mona is the most beautiful girl and very
famous in town. She has a suitor who is always following
her. One day, she wants to be free and wants to go to
somewhere else alone. Nobody knows where she will go.
When she reached the place, she takes photo and post it in
social media. A few hours later, her avid suitor is already in
her place. So, the avid suitor is __________ Mona.
6. Lydia has learned how to transact online
using her credit card as a mode of payment. She is using
her laptop and since she is new, she browses the internet and
click something out of curiosity. She got a problem when
she received her credit card statement because of the big
amount she needs to pay. Lydia was attacked by
__________.
7. Dan has finished all the written reports. He saved
it in a flash drive and he submitted it to his manager. The
manager called him and said that his flash drive is empty.
Dan’s flash drive was infected with __________.
8. Daine is fond of downloading pirated movies. Then
suddenly, there are pop-ups about upcoming movies
showing on his screen every now and then. And his
computer becomes slow. His computer is already infected
with ____________.
9. Precy has received an email from the bank asking
her to update her personal information for security purposes.
She clicked the link and signed in. Unknowingly, Precy is
already a victim of ____________.
Lily knows that the website of BPI Bank is
www.bpibank.com so she typed it in the address bar and log
in to the system. Unknowingly upon signing in, Lily’s
username and password has already been compromised and
is now a victim of ___________.
ACTIVITY B. In the table below, mark with a check (
) the internet threats that can be avoided in doing each
netiquette. Internet threats are represented by letter in the
table under Internet Threats column.
A. Computer Virus F. Online Predation
B. Cyberbullying G. Pharming
C. Cyberstalking H. Phishing
D. Flaming I. Spam
E. Hacker J. Spyware
ACTIVITY D: Essay
Examine the message below and answer the
questions that follows. Write your answers in your
notebook.
“Hello, STUPID! If you weren’t such an
IDIOT, you’d understand why you’re wrong about
everything. But apparently, you’re so RETARDED
that you CAN’T EVEN SPELL RIGHT. And also,
you’re FAT.” (Burnside 2019)
1. What kind of an internet threat do you think is this?
2. Why is this a threat to you?
3. What can you do to avoid this?
4. How will you reconstruct the message so it will not be
hurtful?
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