Assessfy Foundation Projects Lab Beginner 5 milestones 100 marks

Spotting Phishing: Build a Simple Email Red-Flag Checker

Discipline: Cybersecurity Level: Foundation Industry: Software & IT Function: Engineering Team: up to 3 Assessment: 5 milestones (100 marks)

Real-world project · AICTE-aligned · AI-graded · Audit-ready certificate

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Milestones

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Enrolled students

Core skills

About this project

What you'll build: Create a beginner-friendly program that scans email messages and flags suspicious phrases or patterns, helping users spot potential phishing attempts. Your tool will highlight common red flags based on simple rules.

Why it's a good starter: This project is perfect for newcomers because it focuses on clear steps, uses easy-to-understand logic, and builds real cybersecurity awareness. You'll work with text, basic programming, and see your progress at every stage.

What you'll learn: You'll practice breaking down problems, writing code to handle real-world data, and testing your solution. By the end, you'll know how to spot phishing tactics and build your own tool to help others stay safe online!

Milestones

1. Setup & Planning

10 marks 5d

Submit a short outline of your project plan, chosen programming language, and sample emails you'll use. Show you've set up your coding environment and tools. Done: A planning document and proof of setup.

2. Core Build: Basic Red-Flag Detection

30 marks 10d

Submit your first version of code that checks emails for 2-3 basic phishing red flags (e.g., 'urgent', 'verify account', suspicious links). Done: Working code with clear logic and sample output.

3. Core Build: Expand Features

30 marks 10d

Submit improved code with 2-3 additional detection rules or enhancements (e.g., flagging requests for personal info, checking sender addresses). Done: Updated code and a brief explanation of new features.

4. Testing & Polish

20 marks 7d

Submit test results showing your tool works on several sample emails (both phishing and safe). Tidy up code and add comments. Done: Screenshots or logs of tests, clean code, and a short reflection.

5. Demo & Short Report

10 marks 8d

Submit a brief demo video (screen recording) showing your tool in action, and a 1-page report explaining how it works and what you learned. Done: Video file/link and report document.

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Skills you'll learn

CybersecurityBasic programming logic (if/elseloops)Working with text and string patternsSimple rule-based detection methodsReading and processing email message dataTesting and refining your code

Tools used

Python (or another beginner language)Text editor (VS CodeSublimeetc.)Sample email datasets (free/public)Command-line terminal

Prerequisites

Basic programming (any language)Comfort with reading English textBasic computer use

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You'll earn — Certificate (PDF)

AICTE-aligned Project Completion Certificate

A formal, audit-ready PDF certificate issued by Assessfy + your institute on successful completion. Includes AICTE credit hours, your evaluator's signature, and a QR code for third-party verification.

AICTE-aligned

Certificate of Project Completion

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has successfully completed the project

Spotting Phishing: Build a Simple Email Red-Flag Checker

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Auto-issued on completion QR-verifiable

You'll earn — Digital Badge

Shareable LinkedIn / Resume Skill Badge

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Spotting Phishing: Build a Simple Ema…

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