NoHack: how not to get fooled online and on the phone

Short cartoons and exercises for anyone who is not into technology. Crooks catch people of every age: students, busy parents and retirees alike.

  1. Why you should never tap links in messages — A fake text about a package and a look-alike website (6 min)
  2. A call from "your bank’s security team" — Why a real bank never asks for codes or money transfers (6 min)
  3. "Mom, I’m in trouble": requests for money from "family" — A new number, a sudden emergency and a stranger’s voice that sounds like family (6 min)
  4. A code from a text message is the key to your home — Why you never read a code out to anyone, not even a "buyer" (5 min)
  5. Passwords without the pain — One password for everything is like one key for your house, car and safe (6 min)
  6. A second lock on your apps — The password was stolen, but the crook still couldn’t get in (5 min)
  7. How crooks take over chat accounts — "Vote for me" — and your chats are already in a crook’s hands (6 min)
  8. What a VPN is and when you need one — Free Wi‑Fi at a cafe, a protected tunnel and a stranger’s VPN that sees everything (7 min)
  9. "Install this app, we’ll help you" and what to do if you’ve already been caught — A stranger’s hands inside your phone, and a plan for the first 15 minutes (7 min)

A reminder for your fridge

The main rules of the course on one page. Print it and put it next to the phone — for yourself or your family.

  • Don’t tap links in text messages and chats. Check for yourself: in the app or by calling the number on your card.
  • A call "from the bank" or "from the police"? Hang up and call back yourself at the number on your card.
  • Someone asks for money in a family member’s name? Call them at their old number and ask for the family code word.
  • Never tell anyone a code from a text message. To receive money, a card number is enough.
  • A long, separate password for every website. Let the password keeper on your phone remember them.
  • Turn on the second lock for your email, your bank and your chat apps.
  • Don’t install apps or let anyone control your screen if they called you first.
  • On someone else’s Wi‑Fi, turn on your own VPN or use mobile data.
  • If you’ve been caught: call your bank at the number on your card, change your passwords, go to the police. Don’t be ashamed.