🎁 ‘Tis the Season for Cyber Awareness
As the holiday season approaches, so do festive lights, online shopping sprees — and unfortunately, cyber threats. While many of us are busy planning celebrations and tracking holiday deals, cybercriminals are also preparing, but for very different reasons. The last months of the year often see a spike in phishing scams, fake charity websites, and malicious holiday-themed apps. It's a critical time to remind students (and ourselves!) that digital vigilance is just as important as locking your doors at night.
🗞️ Cybersecurity in the News
Library Cyberattack Sparks Criminal Investigation
Fort Bend County’s public library system fell victim to a cyberattack — but users weren’t informed for weeks. This delay has prompted a criminal investigation and left students and residents without access to vital services like printing and research tools.
Read more: Documents reveal how a massive ransomware attack crippled the Fort Bend County libraries system
Class Discussion Questions:
- Why might a public library system delay reporting a cyberattack?
- What are the risks of not disclosing cybersecurity incidents immediately?
- What are some basic cybersecurity protections that even public institutions should have in place?
Bottom Line: One mini clean‑out today saves hours of tech issues tomorrow and instills habits students keep for life.
🔥 Cybersecurity Challenge
Can you decode the following message? Hint: The key to this message lies in thinking inside the square.
52 24 33 44 15 42 24 43 31 34 32 24 33
Last Insider’s Challenge:
This zig‑zag transposition was used by Civil War scouts. Decode the greeting hidden in the text.
HAUCLRAESCRSHOYAVEEOE
Answer: This is a rail-fence cipher! It reads "Have a secure school year.”
🆕 New CompTIA Tech+ Prep Modules
The Programming Fundamentals supplemental module has been updated and now uses Python as the primary programming language. This refresh also includes new lessons aligned to topics covered on the CompTIA Tech+ certification, providing even stronger support for students pursuing industry credentials.
To further support certification readiness, a new CompTIA Tech+ Prep module has been added to the supplemental content. This module includes extra resources and activities specifically designed to help students prepare for the certification and includes guidance on how to implement it within your course.
📲 Curriculum Feedback Group
CodeHS is interested in learning more about how you use our curriculum and resources in your classroom—what CodeHS materials do you rely on and what do you wish was different for the courses you teach? If you are interested in joining a course advisory group to help improve the CodeHS courses, please complete the short form.
✨ AI Creator
With AI Creator, teachers can instantly create customized notes, quizzes, practice problems, Parsons problems, and examples, all designed to match students' understanding and interests for more engaging and effective learning. Watch a demo of AI Creator here
💡 Upcoming Free Webinars
CodeHS is hosting a variety of free webinars throughout November. Here are some of the upcoming sessions:
Preparing to Teach an Hour of AI for HS and MS
Nov. 18th | 3:00 - 3:45 PM CT
Preparing to Teach an Hour of Code for HS and MS
Nov. 20th | 3:00 - 3:45 PM CT
🤝 Request a Visit from CodeHS for CSEdWeek
From December 1st–12th, CodeHS team members are visiting classrooms to celebrate Computer Science Education Week! Request a visit from the team or explore Hour of Code and Hour of AI activities you can assign to students during CSEdWeek.
💬 Stay Connected
- Explore the CodeHS Cybersecurity Topic Hub
- Chat with fellow teachers in the CodeHS Facebook Group
- Follow us on X and Instagram
Happy Coding!
- The CodeHS Team
Interested in learning more about CodeHS Pro? Request a quote.
