Week 5Mission ControlKeep your accounts and messages safe.
Digital Literacy Level 2 · Week 5
Tonight you fix a sheet, secure an account and check a message.

Week 5Mission ControlStart with what you know.
When has a message or a call made you stop and wonder, is this real? What made you wonder?
Share one example. Passing is welcome.
Week 5Mission ControlTonight's goals
By the end of tonight, you can:
- XPart 1 · Excel: Show meaning without color alone.
- ePart 2 · Edge: Secure a new account.
- MPart 3 · Practice Mail: Check a suspicious message a safer way.
These three skills are on your post-test.
Week 5Mission ControlHow tonight works.
- 1Watch the step on the big screen.
- 2Do the same step on your computer.
- 3Check You should see. Not the same? Raise your hand.
The colored box at the top of every slide names the program you are in, like XWorking in: Microsoft Excel.
Week 5eWorking in: Microsoft EdgeBefore we start · Step 1 of 5Find the taskbar
- Look at the bottom of your screen. The long dark bar there is the taskbar.
You should see: the taskbar, with a round Edge icon on it.
Week 5eWorking in: Microsoft EdgeBefore we start · Step 2 of 5Open Microsoft Edge
- Click the round blue-green Edge icon on the taskbar.
You should see: a window with a long address bar at the top. This is Microsoft Edge.
Week 5eWorking in: Microsoft EdgeBefore we start · Step 3 of 5Go to the course website
- Click the long address bar at the top of Edge.
- Type vublessons.com and press Enter.
You should see: the VUB Learning page with course cards.
Week 5eWorking in: Microsoft EdgeBefore we start · Step 4 of 5Open the course
- On the Digital Literacy — Level 2 card, click Open course.
You should see: a page that lists the weeks of the course.
Week 5eWorking in: Microsoft EdgeBefore we start · Step 5 of 5Open your Week 5 worksheet
- Roll the mouse wheel toward you until you see Week 5.
- Click Worksheet in the Week 5 row.
You should see: a page titled Week 5 · Worksheet. Leave it open. You will come back to it.
Week 5XWorking in: Microsoft ExcelPart 1 of 3Now working in: Microsoft Excel
Excel works with lists in a grid of boxes called cells. Tonight you color some cells, then make sure the sheet still works without the colors.
You will make: a sign-in sheet with green and red cells and the words Complete and Not yet.
Goal 1: Show meaning without color alone
Week 5XWorking in: Microsoft ExcelPart 1 · Why it mattersDo not let color do all the work.
- 1Some people cannot tell red from green. A black-and-white printer shows both as gray.
- 2Add words next to the color, such as Complete and Not yet. Now the sheet works for everyone.
- 3The same goes for charts: add labels or patterns to the bars, so the meaning does not depend on color alone.
Week 5XWorking in: Microsoft ExcelPart 1 · WatchWatch: instructions that do not rely on color
Watch for: the idea that meaning should not depend on color alone.
0:13 long. It stops by itself.
Week 5XWorking in: Microsoft ExcelPart 1 · Step 1 of 19Open Excel
- Press the Windows key on your keyboard. (Or click Start at the bottom left.)
- Type Excel and press Enter.
You should see: the Excel start screen, with a Blank workbook tile.
Week 5XWorking in: Microsoft ExcelPart 1 · Step 2 of 19Start a blank workbook
- Click Blank workbook.
You should see: a grid of empty boxes called cells. The cell A1 has a green border.
Week 5XWorking in: Microsoft ExcelPart 1 · Know your screenFind your way around Excel
- The Home tab: the buttons we need are here.
- Fill Color: paints the inside of a cell.
- A cell: one box in the sheet, where a column and a row meet.
Week 5XWorking in: Microsoft ExcelPart 1 · Step 3 of 19Type the headings
- Click cell A1. Type Name and press Tab.
- Type Done? and press Enter.
You should see: Name in A1 and Done? in B1.
Week 5XWorking in: Microsoft ExcelPart 1 · Step 4 of 19Type the four names
- Type each name below in column A. Press Enter after each one.
You should see: four names under Name: Ana, Ben, Cal and Dee.
Type these names:
Ana
Ben
Cal
Dee
Week 5XWorking in: Microsoft ExcelPart 1 · Step 5 of 19Check your sheet
- Look at your sheet. Find the heading row and four names.
You should see: a heading row and four names, with nothing in column B yet.
Week 5XWorking in: Microsoft ExcelPart 1 · Step 6 of 19Select the two done cells
- Click cell B2. Hold the left mouse button down and drag to B3. Let go.
You should see: a green border around B2 and B3, beside Ana and Ben. B2 stays white.
Week 5XWorking in: Microsoft ExcelPart 1 · Step 7 of 19Open the Fill Color list
- On the Home tab, click the small arrow next to Fill Color.
You should see: a list of colors under the button. The big block at the top is Theme Colors. Below it is one row named Standard Colors.
Week 5XWorking in: Microsoft ExcelPart 1 · Step 8 of 19Choose green
- Look at the single row under Standard Colors, below the big block. Click its green square: the sixth from the left.
You should see: B2 and B3 turn green.
Week 5XWorking in: Microsoft ExcelPart 1 · Step 9 of 19Select the two not-done cells
- Click cell B4. Hold the left mouse button down and drag to B5. Let go.
You should see: a green border around B4 and B5, beside Cal and Dee. B4 stays white.
Week 5XWorking in: Microsoft ExcelPart 1 · Step 10 of 19Open the Fill Color list again
- Click the small arrow next to Fill Color.
You should see: the list of colors.
Week 5XWorking in: Microsoft ExcelPart 1 · Step 11 of 19Choose red
- In the single Standard Colors row, click the red square: the second from the left.
You should see: B4 and B5 turn red.
Week 5XWorking in: Microsoft ExcelPart 1 · Step 12 of 19Look at your colors
- Click any empty cell, such as D1. Look at the Done? column.
You should see: two green cells and two red cells. No words yet.
Week 5XWorking in: Microsoft ExcelPart 1 · Step 13 of 19Add the words
- Click cell B2. Type each word below. Press Enter after each one.
You should see: a word in each colored cell. The colors stay.
Type these words:
Complete
Complete
Not yet
Not yet
Week 5XWorking in: Microsoft ExcelPart 1 · Step 14 of 19Read the sheet without color
- Read down the Done? column. Ignore the colors.
You should see: Ana Complete, Ben Complete, Cal Not yet, Dee Not yet. The words say it all.
Week 5XWorking in: Microsoft ExcelPart 1 · Step 15 of 19Save: open the File menu
- Click File at the top left.
You should see: a menu with Save As in the list on the left.
Week 5XWorking in: Microsoft ExcelPart 1 · Step 16 of 19Open the Save As box
- Click Save As, then click Browse.
You should see: a box titled Save As.
Week 5XWorking in: Microsoft ExcelPart 1 · Step 17 of 19Choose Documents
- On the left side of the box, click Documents.
You should see: the top of the box ends in Documents.
Week 5XWorking in: Microsoft ExcelPart 1 · Step 18 of 19Name the file
- Click in the File name box. Press Ctrl and A together to shade the old name.
- Type Sign-in sheet
You should see: Sign-in sheet in the File name box.
Week 5XWorking in: Microsoft ExcelPart 1 · Step 19 of 19Save the file
- Click Save.
You should see: Sign-in sheet at the very top of the Excel window.
Week 5XWorking in: Microsoft ExcelPart 1 · CheckA chart shows two stores as blue and orange bars. In gray they look alike. What fixes it?
Choose an answer, then explain your reason.
Week 5eWorking in: Microsoft EdgePart 2 of 3Now working in: Microsoft Edge
Microsoft Edge shows web pages. Tonight we use a practice sign-up page for a made-up reading club. Nothing you type there is saved or sent.
You will make: a practice account with a long password and two-step verification turned on.
Goal 2: Secure a new account
Week 5eWorking in: Microsoft EdgePart 2 · Why it mattersTwo locks are better than one.
- 1A long password is stronger than a short one. Four words in a row is long and easy to remember.
- 2Use it on one site only. If one site loses your password, a reused one opens your other accounts too.
- 3Two-step verification is a second lock: after your password, the site sends a code to your phone.
Week 5eWorking in: Microsoft EdgePart 2 · Step 1 of 17Find Part 2 on your worksheet
- Click the Week 5 · Worksheet tab at the top of Edge.
- Roll the mouse wheel toward you until you see Part 2.
You should see: the heading Part 2 of 3 and a gold button named Open the practice sign-up page.
Week 5eWorking in: Microsoft EdgePart 2 · Step 2 of 17Open the practice sign-up page
- Click the gold button Open the practice sign-up page.
You should see: a new tab named Riverbend Reading Club · Practice sign-up.
Week 5eWorking in: Microsoft EdgePart 2 · Know your screenFind your way around the page
- Email: your made-up email goes here.
- Password: the page checks it when you click the button.
- Create account: asks the page to check both.
Week 5eWorking in: Microsoft EdgePart 2 · Step 3 of 17Click the Email box
- Click the Email box.
You should see: a blinking line in the Email box.
Week 5eWorking in: Microsoft EdgePart 2 · Step 4 of 17Type a made-up email
- Type learner@example.com
You should see: learner@example.com in the Email box.
Week 5eWorking in: Microsoft EdgePart 2 · Step 5 of 17Click the Password box
- Click the Password box.
You should see: a blinking line in the Password box.
Week 5eWorking in: Microsoft EdgePart 2 · Step 6 of 17Type a short password
- Type Maple9
You should see: Maple9 in the Password box.
Week 5eWorking in: Microsoft EdgePart 2 · Step 7 of 17Click Create account
- Click Create account.
You should see: a red message under the button. The page says no.
Week 5eWorking in: Microsoft EdgePart 2 · Step 8 of 17Read the reason
- Read the red message under the button.
You should see: the words too short and a number of characters.
Week 5eWorking in: Microsoft EdgePart 2 · Step 9 of 17Shade the short password
- Click in the Password box. Press Ctrl and A together to shade it.
You should see: the short password shaded.
Week 5eWorking in: Microsoft EdgePart 2 · Step 10 of 17Type the practice passphrase
- Type the practice passphrase below.
- It is for this practice page only. Never use it for a real account.
You should see: four words with spaces between them in the Password box.
Type this practice passphrase:
kettle orbit meadow quilt
Week 5eWorking in: Microsoft EdgePart 2 · Step 11 of 17Click Create account again
- Click Create account.
You should see: a new heading, Turn on two-step verification. A green note says the password was accepted.
Week 5eWorking in: Microsoft EdgePart 2 · Step 12 of 17Read the reminder
- Read the green note at the top.
You should see: the words this one site only.
Week 5eWorking in: Microsoft EdgePart 2 · Step 13 of 17Choose a text code
- Click Text me a code.
You should see: a page named Check your phone, with a drawing of a phone.
Week 5eWorking in: Microsoft EdgePart 2 · Step 14 of 17Find the code on the phone
- Look at the drawing of the phone. Find the six-digit code.
You should see: the code 482913 on the phone.
Week 5eWorking in: Microsoft EdgePart 2 · Step 15 of 17Type the code
- Click the Code box.
- Type 482913
You should see: 482913 in the Code box.
Week 5eWorking in: Microsoft EdgePart 2 · Step 16 of 17Click Verify
- Click Verify.
You should see: a green box that says Two-step verification is on.
Week 5eWorking in: Microsoft EdgePart 2 · Step 17 of 17Read what you turned on
- Read the green box.
You should see: Two-step verification is on.
Week 5eWorking in: Microsoft EdgePart 2 · CheckA friend uses her long email password for her new bank login. What is wrong with that?
Choose an answer, then explain your reason.
Week 5eWorking in: Microsoft EdgePart 2 · CheckWhat does two-step verification add to your password?
Choose an answer, then explain your reason.
Week 5MWorking in: Practice MailPart 3 of 3Now working in: Practice Mail
Practice Mail is a practice email program in Edge. Tonight it holds one made-up message that tries to rush you.
You will make: a list of the warning signs in the message, and a safer way to check it.
Goal 3: Check a suspicious message a safer way
Week 5MWorking in: Practice MailPart 3 · Why it mattersPressure is a warning sign.
- 1Words like act now and stops today try to make you hurry. Hurrying is how people get tricked.
- 2A link can say one thing and go somewhere else. Point at it, without clicking, and read the real address.
- 3Check through a route you already trust: a number on a letter or card you already have, or a website you saved. Never the message’s own link or number.
Week 5MWorking in: Practice MailPart 3 · WatchWatch: recognize the pressure
Watch for: the urgent words, and why urgency is a reason to slow down.
0:43 long. It stops by itself.
Week 5MWorking in: Practice MailPart 3 · WatchWatch: check a safer way
Watch for: checking through a website or number you found yourself, not the message’s own.
0:32 long. It stops by itself.
Week 5eWorking in: Microsoft EdgePart 3 · Step 1 of 13Find Part 3 on your worksheet
- Click the Week 5 · Worksheet tab at the top of Edge.
- Roll the mouse wheel toward you until you see Part 3.
You should see: the heading Part 3 of 3 and a gold button named Open Practice Mail.
Week 5MWorking in: Practice MailPart 3 · Step 2 of 13Open Practice Mail
- Click the gold button Open Practice Mail.
You should see: a new tab named Practice Mail with one message in the Inbox.
Week 5MWorking in: Practice MailPart 3 · Step 3 of 13Open the message
- Click the message from Maple Valley Health Plan.
You should see: the message open, with a From line and a Subject line.
Week 5MWorking in: Practice MailPart 3 · Know your screenFind your way around the message
- From: who the message says it is from.
- The blue link: words you can click.
- The phone number in the message.
- Report this message: warns your email program.
Week 5MWorking in: Practice MailPart 3 · Step 4 of 13Find the rush words in the subject
- Read the Subject line. Find ACT NOW and stops today.
You should see: two rush phrases in the subject.
Week 5MWorking in: Practice MailPart 3 · Step 5 of 13Find the rush words in the message
- Read the message. Find act now, stops today and within 1 hour.
You should see: three rush phrases in the message.
Week 5MWorking in: Practice MailPart 3 · Step 6 of 13Read the From line
- Read the From line.
You should see: the name Maple Valley Health Plan. Anyone can type that name, so it proves nothing by itself.
Week 5MWorking in: Practice MailPart 3 · Step 7 of 13Point at the link
- Move the mouse pointer onto the blue link. Do not click it.
You should see: a line at the bottom left of Edge that shows the real address.
Week 5MWorking in: Practice MailPart 3 · Step 8 of 13Read where it really goes
- Read the address at the bottom left of Edge.
You should see: maple-valley-confirm.example.net/login. It is not maplevalleyhealth.example.com.
Week 5MWorking in: Practice MailPart 3 · Step 9 of 13Find the phone number in the message
- Find the phone number near the bottom of the message.
You should see: 304-555-0199.
Week 5eWorking in: Microsoft EdgePart 3 · Step 10 of 13Find the number on your letter
- Click the Week 5 · Worksheet tab. Find the box named A letter you already have.
You should see: 304-555-0188 under Member Services.
Week 5eWorking in: Microsoft EdgePart 3 · Step 11 of 13Compare the numbers
- Look at the last four digits of both numbers.
You should see: 304-555-0199 is not 304-555-0188. The numbers are different.
Week 5MWorking in: Practice MailPart 3 · Step 12 of 13Report the message
- Click the Practice Mail tab. Click Report this message.
You should see: the button changes to Reported.
Week 5eWorking in: Microsoft EdgePart 3 · Step 13 of 13Write your safer route
- Click the Week 5 · Worksheet tab. In Part 3, click the box and write what you would do instead.
You should see: a sentence in the box that uses the number on your letter.
Your safer route (worksheet, Part 3):
Instead of using the message, I would:
______
Week 5MWorking in: Practice MailPart 3 · CheckAn email says: pay in 30 minutes or lose power. What is the safest first move?
Choose an answer, then explain your reason.
Week 5MWorking in: Practice MailPart 3 · CheckA caller wants the code just texted to you, right now. What do you do?
Choose an answer, then explain your reason.
Week 5eWorking in: Microsoft EdgeWrap-upFill in your result page
- Turn to the last page of your worksheet, My result.
- Fill in every box.
You should see: every box on the My result page filled in.
Boxes to fill in:
Words I added to my sheet
My rule for a password
Two-step verification
Pressure words
Where the link went
My trusted route
One habit
Week 5Mission ControlWrap-upShow your instructor.
- your Excel sign-in sheet with the words Complete and Not yet
- the practice sign-up page saying Two-step verification is on
- your reported Practice Mail message
- your My result page, every box filled in
Week 5Mission ControlWrap-upI can…
- XShow meaning without color alone.
- eSecure a new account.
- MCheck a suspicious message a safer way.
Check each box on your worksheet that you can do now.
Week 5Mission ControlWrap-upTake it home.
Pick one account that matters, such as your email. Give it a long password you use nowhere else, and turn on two-step verification. Next time a message or caller rushes you, stop and check through a number or website you already trust.
Week 5Mission ControlMission complete.
You made a sheet that works without color, secured a practice account and checked a message the safer way.