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Computers & Digital Literacy · Grade 7

Networks, Protocols and Cybersecurity

Learners see how agreed rules (protocols) let computers talk reliably, tracing how TCP numbers, acknowledges and resends data. They find out exactly what HTTPS protects and what the padlock does not prove, build and break a toy shift cipher to see why real encryption needs huge key spaces, and learn how multi-factor authentication, updates, backups and least privilege defend against common threats. Everything is defensive and set in the fictional town of Cedar Valley.

  • 5 lessons
  • About 115 minutes
  • Networks and security check: 10 questions
  • Ways to answer: fill in the blanks, choose an answer, trace code, highlight a text, match pairs and type a number
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What learners will discover

  • Explain protocols as agreed rules and describe how TCP uses sequence numbers, acknowledgments and resending to deliver data completely and in order.
  • Explain what HTTPS protects (data encrypted in transit) and what the padlock does not prove about a website.
  • Encrypt and decrypt with a toy shift cipher and explain why it is not secure compared with real encryption.
  • Explain authentication factors and why multi-factor authentication blocks logins that use a stolen password.
  • Recognize common threats (phishing, malware, weak or reused passwords, unpatched software) and match each to defenses such as updates, MFA, backups and least privilege.

Lessons

  1. Protocols and reliable delivery 8 steps5 practiceabout 25 min
  2. HTTPS and what the padlock really means 6 steps4 practiceabout 22 min
  3. A toy cipher, and why toys are not enough 8 steps5 practiceabout 24 min
  4. Proving who you are: authentication and MFA 6 steps4 practiceabout 20 min
  5. Common threats and everyday defenses 6 steps4 practiceabout 24 min
  6. Networks and security check 10 questions at the end

Keep exploring

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Guide for grown-ups