Powerful Passwords

Essential Questions: How do I create a secure password?

Students will be able to:

Understand the function of passwords

Identify strategies for creating and protecting secure passwords

Create their own secure passwords using lesson guidelines.

Why do you use them?

Why are these tips important?

What is a combination lock? The lock protects what it is attached to and requires a sequence of numbers to be used to open and gain access. Your lockers have combination locks and the combination is something only you know. This prevents others from getting into your locker, especially if you're not there. This protects your things and can even prevent unwanted items from being added.

Only your parents should know your password. Never give a password to anyone else – not even your friends. They could unknowingly share it with someone who could use your password to pretend to be you or to harass other people.

Don’t use passwords that are easy to guess, like your nickname or your pet’s name. People who know you well can guess these kinds of passwords. Never use any private identity information in your password. Identity thieves can use this information to pretend to be you.

Don’t use only a word in the dictionary as a password. Hackers use programs that will try every word in the dictionary to guess passwords.

Create passwords with at least eight characters. The fewer the characters, the easier it is for hackers to try every combination of characters.

Use combinations of letters, numbers, and symbols. They are harder to crack than just words because there are more combinations to try.

Change your password regularly – at least every six months. The longer you use the same password, the more likely it is that someone will guess it or use a program to find it.

Use this link to access the activity. Powerful Passwords