Hacking, cracking, malware–all these are the reality of life on the internet. Here are a couple of ideas from the Ask a Tech Teacher team ripped from the headlines:
From Social Apps to Classrooms: How the Telegram Hacked Case Can Inspire Cyber Awareness
Telegram is one of the top social media apps globally, with over 1 billion monthly users. Features like encryption, message self-destruction, and Secret Chats have made it popular. Hackers have proactively learned how to hack this platform and succeeded in many cases. Some users lose accounts, others are frauded and others are exploited.
Educational institutions have a lesson to learn and proactively teach cyber awareness. Educators should teach students how to practice cyber safety and secure everyone. They can present real Telegram hack cases to inspire learners in social media cybersecurity.
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Lessons students can learn from Telegram hacked cases
Telegram security compromises happen through malware, phishing, hijacking, etc. These social media cybersecurity issues happen due to device security gaps. Such gaps may allow physical access or online malware infection. Weak default settings, like a lack of multifactor authentication, also make devices vulnerable.
Young users stay active online, and real hacking cases help them understand the seriousness. The first thing users should learn is the signs of the hacked Telegram account. Next, understand how to remove devices from Telegram. Another lesson is how to delete Telegram account if its security is compromised. No platform is entirely cybersecure as long as it is connected to the internet.
How cybercriminals use Telegram to promote their activities?
More than one billion monthly active users is a big number to attract cybercrime. Millions of online criminals have made this channel a hub of activities that compromise Telegram security. Today, there are hundreds of super-active hacking channels on this platform.
A recent study shows that over 23 million users are exposed to phishing links on 339 CACs, amounting to 28%. Another 38% of links contained malware, ready to be executed on millions of devices. Teaching students how to check if Telegram is hacked is critical for schools. Cybercriminals use Telegram to promote their activities through different means.
- Stolen data distribution to unsuspecting users, aiming to achieve the widest circulation.
- Proactive use of phishing tools to infect devices whenever users open infected links.
- Uploading illegal or fraud-focused tutorials, including course lessons.
- Active use of ransomware tools targeting accounts with large followings or quality content.
- Sharing data aiming to extort users of their money through hiked prices.
- Selling hacks such as how to hack accounts, or promote social media security. These hacks usually contain malware, fraud, or phishing links.
How secure chats become security risks?
Telegram invests more knowledge and money to build stronger security measures. For example, it has built the MTProto encryption to enhance its chat security. The channel also has the Secret Chats feature that hides chats for stricter security. There is a problem, though, because regular chats are encrypted on the cloud.
They lack end-to-end encryption, which leaves devices vulnerable. It’s impossible to activate Secret Chat manually, which increases vulnerability. A simple carelessness could quickly open doors for hacking. Understanding Telegram hacked account recovery for students is important, too.
Image credit: Freepik
How to teach social media cybersecurity in the classrooms?
Schools can promote Telegram security by teaching various lessons on social media cybersecurity. The important thing is for educators to understand how to approach the topic. They must agree on what should be taught and on practical ways to approach the lessons. Here are engaging ways that educators may use for practical cyber awareness in classrooms:
Teach how cybercriminal activities happen – Cybercriminals use bots, links, attachments, trading, etc., to steal. Help students understand how these activities happen. Let them know how hackers share malware and stolen data on Telegram.
Teach online security hygiene – Learning how to get rid of spam bots on Telegram is good. However, this might not help if students fail to practice online hygiene. Help them learn basics such as authentication, passwords, and Secret Chats.
Lessons about digital security responsibility – Teach that social media cybersecurity is not the responsibility of one person. Everyone should get involved and safeguard other users. This can be harnessed by understanding how to share private data. Exposure to one person exposes everyone else.
Introduce hacking in classrooms – Teach how hacking happens and introduce practical, real-world cases. Teach how recent Telegram hacking cases happened and the outcomes. Teach Telegram hacked account recovery in the classroom.
Bring families on board – Involve families and share online security hacks with parents. Share tips for promoting digital security at home. Share the latest real-world hacking cases and how to prevent them.
Increase social media cybersecurity awareness in schools – Help students understand the bigger picture of cybersecurity beyond Telegram. Explain how exposing yourself on Telegram can affect a banking system, healthcare, etc.
Engage in practical teaching – Create accounts together with students, and add security measures like 2FA and encryption. Use gamified teaching and run quizzes to drive the lessons deeper.
Why cybersecurity is important in schools?
The main focus of cybersecurity is not on devices, but on the people who are affected. A device can be repaired, factory reset, or replaced. However, cybercrime affects people psychologically, socially, financially, etc. Systems can be rebuilt, but one hacking incident can harm the entire life of someone.
That’s why teaching cybersecurity should go beyond technology. It should focus more on people, helping them to prevent cybercrime incidents. Using recent hacking cases to teach real-life lessons improves the practicality of the lessons.
Conclusion
Telegram security threat cases include account takeover, malware distribution, and phishing. Schools can promote cybersecurity awareness in classrooms by teaching real Telegram hacking cases. Beyond technology, they should focus on things students do that often compromise security. Teaching real-world hacking cases helps students understand how practical cybercrime is. It provides issues that learners can relate to and become more aware of. Educators should involve parents to help promote online security at home and in schools.
–some images from Deposit Photos
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“The content presented in this blog are the result of creative imagination and not intended for use, reproduction, or incorporation into any artificial intelligence training or machine learning systems without prior written consent from the author.”
Jacqui Murray has been teaching K-18 technology for 30 years. She is the editor/author of over a hundred tech ed resources including a K-12 technology curriculum, K-8 keyboard curriculum, K-8 Digital Citizenship curriculum. She is an adjunct professor in tech ed, Master Teacher, webmaster for four blogs, freelance journalist on tech ed topics, contributor to NEA Today, and author of the tech thrillers, To Hunt a Sub and Twenty-four Days. You can find her resources at Structured Learning.
