The Rescueware project took part in the 2026 European Researchers’ Night at Forum Braga, Portugal, as part of INESC TEC’s stand. The project helped people of all ages understand the dangers of ransomware attacks and the small everyday decisions that can prevent them or limit the damage they cause.

Younger visitors played “Guardião dos Ficheiros”, a card game in which they had to protect their files from the Ransom monster. Along the way, they learned to stop, think and ask for help before acting in the digital world.

Teenagers and adults took on “Locked Out”, a digital game built on decisions and their consequences. It puts players in realistic scenarios involving emails, invoices and other digital content, and shows how one click can make all the difference.

The initiative showed that cybersecurity starts with everyday habits. Knowing how to recognise risks and react in time is one of the best defences against ransomware.

The activities were carried out in collaboration with the INOCULUM project and as part of INESC TEC’s stand.

“Both the Rescueware and INOCULUM projects include dissemination and awareness-raising activities focused on this type of attack and protection techniques. Through different games and activities, we were able to promote several cyber-security practices around this issue, which increasingly affects personal computers and critical infrastructures, such as healthcare,” explained João Paulo, Rescueware coordinator at INESC TEC.