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Start Here
Move through this lesson at your own pace and come back whenever you need a refresher.
Course
Online Safety Basics.
A practical first course for safer everyday technology habits.
Status: Not started
What you will learn
Build safer habits for texts, emails, links, passwords, and everyday online decisions.
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Suspicious Messages
Move through this lesson at your own pace and come back whenever you need a refresher.
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Email Safety
Move through this lesson at your own pace and come back whenever you need a refresher.
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Safe Links
Move through this lesson at your own pace and come back whenever you need a refresher.
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Family Practice
Move through this lesson at your own pace and come back whenever you need a refresher.
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Summary
Move through this lesson at your own pace and come back whenever you need a refresher.
Use these before or after the course.
What's inside this course
Open lesson
Open lesson
Open lesson
Open lesson
Open lesson
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Course lessons
Start Here
Suspicious Messages
Email Safety
Safe Links
Family Practice
Summary
What you'll learn
Online Safety Basics covers the core habits that prevent most online scams targeting older adults. By the end, you'll know how to:
- Recognize the most common scam patterns by phone, text, and email
- Verify whether a message claiming to be from your bank, the IRS, or a family member is real
- Set up basic protections on your phone and computer
- Know what to do when you're unsure — and when to ask for help
- Talk with family members about online safety without feeling embarrassed
Who this is for
This is our starting course. It's right for anyone over 55 who uses a phone or computer regularly — whether you feel comfortable with technology or whether it still feels overwhelming. You don't need any prior computer training. All you need is willingness to spend about 2 hours total over a week.
Common questions
How is this different from articles I could read for free?
Free articles are scattered, often outdated, and written by tech writers for tech audiences. This course is sequenced, tested with older adults specifically, and updated as new scam patterns emerge. You also get practice scenarios that help the lessons stick, and a real certificate at the end.
Should I take this before "Online Security Fundamentals"?
Yes, in most cases. This course covers the "what to watch out for." Online Security Fundamentals goes deeper into the "how to protect yourself" — strong passwords, two-factor authentication, account security. Doing them in order builds confidence.
What if a scam happens to me while I'm taking the course?
First: it's not your fault. Scammers are professionals who manipulate people psychologically — getting tricked once doesn't mean you're foolish. Report it to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov. If money was taken, contact your bank immediately. Then come back and finish the course — knowing what just happened to you helps you spot it next time.