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

Security issues such as click-jacking and ransomware are critical topics in the Grade 12 CAT curriculum. These issues highlight how technology can both empower and threaten users, emphasizing the importance of cybersecurity awareness and proactive prevention. Let’s explore how teachers can bring these concepts to life in the classroom.

Begin by engaging students with relatable examples of security issues they might have encountered, such as suspicious pop-ups or sudden data loss on their devices. This helps contextualize these topics as real-world challenges.

Click-jacking

Explain that click-jacking occurs when an invisible layer is placed over a legitimate website button or link, tricking users into performing unintended actions, such as sharing personal information or enabling malware. An easy analogy is an invisible cloak over a door handle, leading someone to open a door they didn’t intend to.

Classroom Activity: Simulated Attack Awareness

• Create a harmless webpage with hidden layers (using basic HTML and CSS) to show how a click-jacking attack might look.
• Use transparency to demonstrate how users could be tricked. Allow students to interact with the page, revealing the trick after a few clicks.
• Discuss prevention strategies like using updated browsers with built-in pop-up blockers and avoiding suspicious links.

Ransomware

Ransomware is malware that locks users out of their systems or encrypts their data until a ransom is paid. This topic can be introduced by discussing scenarios where hospitals, schools, or businesses have fallen victim to such attacks, affecting their operations and finances.

Classroom Activity: Data Encryption Exploration

• Divide students into groups and provide them with simple encryption keys to “lock” data. One group plays hackers and creates ransomware messages, while another group attempts to recover the data by finding the key.
• Discuss real-life ransomware cases and highlight the importance of backup systems and cybersecurity hygiene, such as avoiding unknown email attachments and using antivirus software.

Connecting Theory to Practice

To make these abstract concepts tangible, encourage students to research:

• News articles about ransomware attacks in South Africa.
• Tutorials on browser settings to protect against click-jacking.
• Free antivirus or anti-malware tools for home use.

Bloom’s Taxonomy in Action

• Remembering: Define click-jacking and ransomware.
• Understanding: Discuss why these threats exist and their impact on individuals and organisations.
• Applying: Demonstrate browser security settings and antivirus software usage.
• Analysing: Evaluate how effective different security measures are in preventing these threats.
• Evaluating: Debate ethical dilemmas, like whether to pay a ransom.
• Creating: Develop a poster or presentation to educate others about these security threats.

Encourage students to share their experiences with cybersecurity or any measures they have taken to stay safe online. This will make the learning process interactive and help them relate their personal technology use to classroom concepts.