Who this is for
Everyone before any ChatGPT/Claude/agent lesson — and before the next paid consult.
The emergency brake (if you feel stuck or panicked)
- Clicked something scary? Close the window. Don’t call any number on the screen — call someone you trust instead.
- Someone demands remote control, gift cards, or Bitcoin? That is a scam. Stop, close everything, get a human you know.
Write the pause rule
About 5 min
Before clicking a link in email or text, ask: “Do I know this person — did I expect this file?” If no → don’t click. Ask a human.
- Write the pause rule on paper: “Unknown sender or surprise file → stop, ask.”
Click a scare pop-up's “Call this number.” Close the window and get human help — the number on the screen is the trap.
Lock down passwords
About 5 min
Never type or paste passwords, bank codes, or 2FA codes into ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, or anyone who messaged “I’m IT.” Academy will never ask for your password. Asbury consultants will never ask you to paste passwords into a chatbot.
- Say aloud: “My password goes only into the site it belongs to.”
Take a screenshot that helps
About 10 min
- Open the window that shows the problem (a browser tab counts).
- Capture that window or a selection — not your whole messy Desktop if you can avoid it.
- Find the image file. Open it. Confirm it shows the issue.
- Practice pasting it into email or Notes (don’t send secrets).
- On a Mac: Whole screen: Cmd+Shift+3 · Selection: Cmd+Shift+4 · One window: Cmd+Shift+4, then Space, click the window. Lands on Desktop.
- On Windows: Win+Shift+S for selection · Win+PrtScn for full screen · Snipping Tool for a window. Lands in Pictures/Screenshots.
Try this
Capture this lesson window and find the image file.
You should see: a picture of this page, saved where you can find it again. If it caught the wrong screen, click the problem window first, then capture again.
Write the problem sentence
About 5 min
Fill in the blanks — this sentence plus a screenshot resolves most consults in minutes:
Your problem sentence
“On my (Mac / Windows), in (app + window name), when I (action), I expected (___) but saw (___). Screenshot attached.”
Grab the help-request card:
↓ Download the help-request card (PDF)
Prefer paper via browser? Print-ready HTML version (File → Print → Save as PDF).
Success check
- Pause rule written
- Affirmed: no passwords in AI chats
- One screenshot found and opened
- Problem sentence filled
Common failure modes
| Failure | Fix |
|---|---|
| Screenshot of wrong monitor / empty Desktop | Click the problem window first; use window capture |
| Password visible in the screenshot | Crop it out; change the password if it was sent; tell the consultant |
| Clicked a scare pop-up | Close the window; get human help; don’t call the pop-up number |
Don't install remote tools / get help now
Don’t install remote-access tools because a pop-up said so. Get help immediately for ransomware messages, bank lockouts, or anyone demanding gift cards, Bitcoin, or remote control.
Two tabs, Downloads, one moved file, one screenshot. Pass → operator track or project folders. Wobble → repeat CB-04 and CB-07 until boring — or book a free consult and we'll verify together.