This content is located in CAPS under Social Implications: Impact of Society for Grade 12.

Viruses and cyber threats are ever-present challenges in our tech-driven world. By understanding the risks and implementing safeguards, students can protect their systems and data. Teaching this topic effectively prepares them for real-world interactions with technology and underlines responsible digital citizenship.

To make this lesson engaging and relevant, bring the theoretical concepts to life through practical examples and hands-on activities.

Making it Real

1. Start with Analogies:
Explain the concept of viruses and cyber threats using a relatable analogy. For example, compare computer viruses to biological viruses. Discuss how both spread, how they can be prevented, and their impact on their respective systems.

2. Create a Threat Simulation:
Develop a classroom activity where students simulate a cyber-attack. Assign roles: some students act as hackers, while others are defenders implementing firewalls, antivirus software, and safe practices. This can be a paper-based or computer-based roleplay to demonstrate real-world scenarios.

3. Visual Learning Aids:
Use infographics showing how threats such as ransomware, phishing, and malware infiltrate systems. You can find resources online or create your own charts. Highlight prevention strategies like keeping software updated, avoiding suspicious links, and using secure passwords.

4. Antivirus Demonstration:
If resources allow, demonstrate how an antivirus scans and removes threats. Use a virtual environment or a tool like Windows Defender. For under-resourced settings, discuss antivirus interfaces through images or mock-ups, explaining how they work step-by-step.

5. Password Challenges:
Organise a password-strength competition. Have students come up with passwords, then test their strength using online tools like “How Secure Is My Password?” Discuss why strong passwords are critical and introduce two-factor authentication as an added layer of security.

6. Guest Speaker or Case Study:
Invite an IT security professional to talk about real-world experiences with cyber threats. Alternatively, use a case study of a famous cyber-attack (e.g., the WannaCry ransomware attack) to discuss the importance of preventive measures.

Accessible Activities for All Schools

Offline Security Practices:
Discuss physical security practices, such as locking devices and not sharing passwords. Encourage students to create a poster campaign about “Top 5 Tips to Stay Safe Online.”

Scenarios for Group Work:
Divide students into groups to brainstorm solutions to hypothetical scenarios, like identifying phishing emails or stopping malware from spreading on a shared network.

Use Local Context:
Incorporate examples of scams and security breaches relevant to South Africa, such as SIM-swapping or identity theft cases. Connect these to the importance of maintaining a secure online presence.

Bloom’s Taxonomy Integration

1. Remember: Define key terms like malware, ransomware, and phishing.
2. Understand: Discuss how different threats affect systems.
3. Apply: Demonstrate antivirus scanning or identify phishing attempts from sample emails.
4. Analyse: Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of different security tools.
5. Evaluate: Discuss ethical issues around hacking and cyber-crime prevention.
6. Create: Have students design their own cybersecurity awareness posters or campaigns.

Engage students in a conversation about the impact of cyber threats on society. Encourage them to share personal experiences or thoughts on the importance of online safety.