Abstract The timeless nature of fairy tales can help uncover the timeless nature of many cybersecurity notions. Using 16 classical tales as illustration, in this article, the author shows that fairy tales are full of cybersecurity motifs and examples, and can thus be used extensively and effectively to explain cybersecurity notions. Obviously not cybersecurity as we know it today, but rather the fundamental and archetypal concepts that are at its heart. Fairy tales can thus be employed to mediate in conversations with less-knowledgeable, misinformed, or even skeptical laypersons about cybersecurity, increase their understanding and awareness, and thereby strengthen the overall cybersecurity of systems and applications.