Keeping Passwords Private and Secure
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What you will learn
- 1Explain why passwords need to be private and secure
- 2Distinguish between strong, safe password habits and weak or unsafe ones
- 3Apply best practices for creating and protecting passwords
Mini Lesson
A password is a secret code that protects your accounts and personal information online. A strong password is hard for others to guess, and a safe password habit means keeping it private — never sharing it with friends or writing it in a place others can find.
What Makes a Password Strong?
- Use at least 8 characters — longer is stronger.
- Mix uppercase and lowercase letters (e.g., Aa, Bb).
- Add numbers (e.g., 3, 7, 12) and symbols (e.g., !, ?, #).
- Avoid your name, birthday, or the word "password".
- Make it something memorable to YOU but hard for others to guess.
Safe Password Habits
- Never share your password with friends, even your best friend.
- Do not write your password on paper in public view.
- Use a different password for different accounts.
- Change a password immediately if you think someone else knows it.
- Always log out of shared or library computers when finished.
Weak or Unsafe Password Habits
- Using "123456" or "password" as your password.
- Telling a friend your password.
- Using the same password for every account.
- Leaving yourself logged in on a shared computer.
- Writing your password on a sticky note on your desk.
Words to know
Password
A secret code that protects your account online
e.g. My password is something only I know.
Strong password
A long password with mixed letters, numbers, and symbols
e.g. A strong password is hard to guess.
Private
Kept to yourself — not shared with others
e.g. My password is private, even from my best friend.
Account
A personal space online that needs a password to enter
e.g. I have an account for the library reading site.
Log out
To close your account so others cannot use it
e.g. I always log out on a shared computer.
Think of your password like a toothbrush — do not share it, and get a new one if someone else may have used it!
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