In the hilarious and timely story Faux Paw and the Unfortunate Upload, readers rejoin Faux Paw the cat and her band–Bongo on drums, Cousin Ernie on bass guitar, and Ruby on Keyboard–as they chase their dream of performing in the “Battle of the Bands”. To qualify to play at the contest, the band must obtain 10,000 likes on MewTube, a video sharing site for aspiring stars.
To achieve their goal, Faux Paw commits a serious mistake: uploading embarrassing clips of her bandmates without consent. Though the social media likes are pouring in, the consequences for her actions catch up with her. Faux Paw’s actions lead to hurt feelings, tension, and a hard but valuable lesson on being responsible online.
The story of Faux Paw and the Unfortunate Upload helps introduce lively discussions around these key skills to ensure parents, students, and children stay safe and secure when using connected technology:
Be Cautious with Pop-Ups
As Faux Paw tries to get more internet visibility for the band, she is bombarded with pop-up ads. Pop-ups are unwanted windows or advertisements that appear on device screens when browsing the internet. Some may be innocuous, but others are designed to grab attention and push users into clicking advertisements that bring them to unsecured websites or downloads. Clicking on a pop-up can lead to unsafe websites that try to steal personal information or trick people into downloading harmful software. These threats are designed to be appealing so as to lure the user into falling for them. To keep safe, close all pop-up advertisements and don’t click on suspicious links.
Understanding Online Tricks
Many people use tricks online to steal information, spread scams, or make money dishonestly. These tricks can come in the form of fake websites, pop-ups, phishing emails, or offers that seem too good to be true. In Faux Paw and the Unfortunate Upload, while Faux Paw doesn’t fall for one of these, the story is a reminder of how easy it can be to get fooled if. Double-check links constantly, never click on unrelated adverts, and never share personal information with strangers online. Staying alert protects privacy and keeps technology safe from cyberattacks.
What Are Viruses and Why Are They Dangerous?
A computer virus is a harmful program that can damage files, steal personal information, or make a device stop working properly. Viruses tend to hide in misleading downloads, pop-up ads, or even seemingly interesting or helpful links. In Faux Paw and the Unfortunate Upload, while the focus is on internet manners and courtesy towards others, the story reminds everyone to be more cautious online. Unsecured websites can be clicked on or downloaded from any unknown site. Major problems may arise. To stay safe, use secure websites and avoid anything that looks suspicious or sounds too good to be true.
Safe Places to Download Content
One of the most secure methods of being online is downloading files or software only from known, reputable sites. These include official app stores (e.g., Apple App Store or Google Play), authentic sites, or software recommended by schools or organizations. Downloading from unknown or unofficial websites puts devices at risk of getting infected by malicious programs or being conned, like what happened to Faux Paw when she trusted a pop-up that guaranteed him overnight fame.
Respecting Others Online: Ask Before Sharing
Perhaps the most important lesson Faux Paw learns is about digital respect. Faux Paw posts videos about her friends without their permission first, in hopes that it will bring the band more publicity. Instead, the videos result in hurt feelings and conflict. It serves as a reminder that posting content that features other individuals without their permission is never something to do. Whether a photo, message, or video, always get permission before posting. Being respectful and nice online is as important as it is in person.
The unfortunate upload story is a great reminder of the need to be careful when you are using the Internet, and how easy it is to fall for pop ups, online scams or tricks, and unsafe downloads, and sometimes the danger; and severity of the situations you can get yourself into. By understanding viruses, how they spread, and their danger, we can have a better understanding to make safer and better decisions. It is also important to show everyone respect when using the internet and only download from safe sources. Making smart choices when using the internet means considering your actions before you click, and to be safe and respectful on social media. You can also explore other Faux Paw books to learn more about staying safe online by visiting https://ikeepsafe.org/faux-paw-the-techno-cat/.
Written by: Kendall Merrill, iKeepSafe Intern and Cybersecurity student