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Computers & Digital Literacy · Grade 9

Network Defenses in Toy Environments

In a toy model of a library network, learners split a flat network into zones, evaluate firewall rule tables where the first matching rule wins and everything else is denied, read fictional sign-in and connection logs for warning signs, and choose hardening controls such as replacing default passwords and closing internet-facing admin pages. Everything happens on paper-style tables; no real networks are touched.

  • 4 lessons
  • About 115 minutes
  • Network defenses check: 10 questions
  • Ways to answer: choose an answer, put code in order, trace code, highlight a text, match pairs and type a number
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What learners will discover

  • Explain defense in depth and network segmentation, and place devices into zones based on who needs to reach what.
  • Evaluate a toy firewall rule table (first match wins, default deny) to decide whether a connection is allowed, and spot rules whose order breaks the policy.
  • Read fictional logs and alerts to separate normal activity from warning signs, and explain false positives and false negatives.
  • Choose hardening and access controls for a small network: replace defaults, remove unused services, update, encrypt Wi-Fi and use protected remote access.

Lessons

  1. Layers and zones 6 steps3 practiceabout 25 min
  2. Reading a rule table 6 steps4 practiceabout 30 min
  3. Reading logs and alerts 6 steps4 practiceabout 30 min
  4. Hardening the toy network 6 steps3 practiceabout 30 min
  5. Network defenses check 10 questions at the end

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Guide for grown-ups