Course description

Most cyber attacks don't need a genius hacker. They rely on a reused password, a convincing email, a phone that was never updated or a backup that was never made. This course shows you, in plain English, how those attacks work and the simple habits that stop them, so you can protect yourself, your family and your workplace with confidence.

It's a full course, not a quick taster. There are 10 sections and 55 step-by-step written lessons, and every lesson ends with a practical task you do on your own phone, computer or accounts. Every section has a practice pack of worksheets and checklists to download, and the course finishes with two projects: a complete personal security makeover and a security policy for a small business.

What you'll learn

• Passwords and accounts: strong passwords, password managers, two-step verification and passkeys.
• Phishing and scams: how to spot fake emails, texts and calls, and what to do if you clicked.
• Devices and networks: securing your phone, computer, home Wi-Fi and smart devices.
• Data and backups: backups that actually work, ransomware and encryption explained.
• Privacy: your digital footprint, privacy settings, tracking and your data rights in the UK.
• Security at work: handling sensitive information, invoice fraud, Cyber Essentials and reporting incidents.
• When things go wrong: recovering hacked accounts, dealing with malware and reporting cybercrime.

Who this course is for

• Anyone who wants to feel safe and in control online, with no technical background needed.
• Staff who handle customer data, payments or email at work.
• Small business owners and sole traders who want to protect their business without an IT department.
• People curious about a career in cyber security who want a friendly first step.

How the course works

Every lesson is written out step by step, so there are no videos to pause and rewind. Read a lesson, then use the Try it task to put it into practice straight away. The advice follows guidance from the UK's National Cyber Security Centre and is written for UK learners, with UK reporting routes and data rights explained.

What will i learn?

• Create strong passwords, use a password manager and turn on two-step verification
• Spot phishing emails, scam texts and fake calls, and know what to do if you click
• Secure your phone, computer, home Wi-Fi and smart devices
• Back up your data properly and understand ransomware and encryption
• Protect your privacy online and understand your data rights in the UK
• Handle sensitive information safely at work and spot invoice fraud
• Recover a hacked account and report cybercrime in the UK
• Build a personal security plan and a simple small-business security policy

Frequently asked question