Friday, February 6, 2026

My First Steps in IS101: Learning, Safety, and New Beginnings

Hello world,

My name is Rafael Robles, a student at the College of Southern Nevada (CSN) currently in my 4th semester. I'm taking IS101 and MATH 181 this term. I enjoy building things, working hard, practicing MMA, and I strive to become a better person every day.

My first impression of IS101 has been very positive. This class has helped me think more deeply, use new tools, and improve the ones I already knew. I have a great professor who guides me so I don’t lose my way, and I always try to move forward with good grades.

In Discussion 2, I chose to explore LabSim 1.4.7 – Internet Safety and Securities. Practicing this skill has made me more aware of how to protect my digital footprint, use strong passwords, recognize phishing attempts, and browse the web safely. Applying these measures in my daily online activities has given me greater confidence and security.

Besides academics, I believe digital safety is something everyone should prioritize. I’m excited to continue learning in IS101 and sharing insights on my blog throughout the semester.

Thank you for reading!
– Rafael

17 comments:

  1. I'm elated to hear IS101-3005, Spring 2026 has already helped you to think more deeply, Rafael!

    I'm even more excited to hear you are already applying what you learned in the first weeks of our semester together into your daily online activities ^_^

    Building things, working hard, practicing mix-martial arts, and striving to become a better person everyday? I look forward to reading your future blog posts :-)

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  2. Hi Rafael, I have to admit I am guilty when it comes to password management. If I want truly unique passwords, I usually need to keep them in an Excel file because I cannot memorize everything. Especially in an office setting, there are so many applications and systems that each require their own login. Every website asks for a different combination of letters, numbers, and symbols. It becomes unrealistic to remember them all without writing them somewhere. I know password managers are an option, but I ended up organizing mine manually. The internet safety lab really made me think about how important unique passwords are. It is easy to say use strong passwords, but managing them is the harder part.

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  3. Our digital footprint is the most underestimated thing in general that people forget to think about before hitting the enter button in their keyboard. It is a huge problem that has been rampant over the years and you being mindful of it is a step on the right direction when interacting on something online. Can't wait for more insight from you throughout the semester!

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  4. Love the "Hello World" as an opening Rafael! Also, Math 181 was such a challenging class to me as I took it over the summer along with a physics class and laboratory. I won't lie, it was awful. But calculus can be fun if you had more time to learn it without the pressure of having to meet deadlines very quickly. Take your time with it, keep practicing, try to 'see the patterns' and you'll be good!

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  5. Hi Rafael, I was curious when you mentioned that you enjoy practicing MMA, how long have you been training? It sounds like something that requires a lot of discipline and dedication. I also think the topic you chose about internet safety is really important. Learning how to recognize phishing attempts and protect your digital footprint is something everyone should know since we spend so much time online today. It’s great that this class is helping you become more aware of those risks and apply safer habits when using the internet.

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  6. Hi Rafael, it’s great to see someone who is motivated and focused on improving both in school and personally. Taking classes like IS101 and MATH 181 at the same time sounds challenging, but it’s good that you’re pushing yourself and staying focused on doing well. The topic you chose about internet safety is also really important. Learning how to protect your digital footprint, recognize phishing attempts, and create strong passwords are useful skills that everyone should know today. With so many things happening online, being aware of these risks can make a big difference in keeping your information safe. Good luck with the rest of the semester and everything you’re working toward.

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  7. Hello Rafael, I'm curious about what things you like to build I've only helped with making planters for gardens, I think it's such a valuable skill to have. I think internet safety and security is a very important topic for people to understand. Especially with older generations and scam emails or people using AI to spread misinformation. It is really crucial to take a step back and consider if what you're about to post publicly on the internet is worth being on your digital footprint permanently. I agree that digital safety should be a priority for everyone. I hope the rest of the semester works out wells for you!

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  8. Hi Rafael! It’s great to meet you. I agree that digital safety is really important, and it’s good that this class is helping you become more aware of protecting your online information.

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  9. Hey RafaelI know we talk plenty given our shared two classes, but I'm looking forward to continuing to work alongside you! It's reassuring knowing someone else is in the exact same boat as you are regarding academics.
    1.4.7 is a great topic, especially regarding our own digital footprint, I believe it's something I hadn't paid as much mind to up until recently!
    Best,
    Rafa

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  10. Rafael, I liked reading your blog post. I agree that internet security is important to know. I am glad that I know how to check if an email is a spoof.

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  11. Rafael, your dedication to personal growth—balanced through the discipline of MMA and a rigorous course load of MATH 181 and IS101—is reflected in your proactive approach to digital literacy, specifically regarding the implementation of internet safety protocols and phishing recognition to secure your digital footprint.

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  12. Rafael, it's so cool to hear that you're doing MMA I already know that sport takes a lot of energy and dedication to be skilled at. Considering that, i'm sure that also carries on to your everyday life. I was wondering do you plan to go pro or is it simply a hobby you enjoy doing?

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  13. Hello Rafael, I like how you connected your personal discipline with the way IS101 is helping you grow academically.
    Your focus on internet safety was interesting, and it shows you’re taking digital security seriously in your daily life.

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  14. Hey Rafael I hope you finish the semester strong, We got to roll! For Labsim Digital safety is important I don't want people to know things they shouldn't or even more than I want them to know about me so Thank you for reminding us what to consider and these tips.

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  15. Hi Rafael. Taking Math 181 isn't easy. I took AP Calculus AB in high school and luckily passed the exam to get that math credit but never will I ever want to take it again. Good luck with college!

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  16. Hello Rafael, I agree cyber security is something all of us should be taking more seriously. I remember growing up when social media was barely becoming popular and we were told we shouldn't even put your real name on there. A lot has changed since then and it is always smart to be more careful with what our sensitive information.

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  17. Hey Rafael, yes I agree digital safety is very important to prioritize and this class will definitely help as a stepping stone to learn those skills. MMA is also a fun sport to watch and an exciting way to live a disciplined life. Best of luck with journey in CSN!

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