Passwords
Keeping your Information Secure!
Passwords help us keep our information safe by keeping people who don’t know it out of your account. Having a strong password will help you protect your account.
This page will help you by teaching you the ins and outs of passwords!
Know
- What is a strong password?
- How do you keep track of passwords?
- Why do you need to change your passwords?
Identify
- How do you keep track of different passwords?
- What is a password manager?
- What “strong” passwords can you use?
Do
- Schedule when to change all of your passwords.
- Log out of your accounts when done.
What is a password?
Passwords are a phrase that is used to verify that the person signing into their is the person the account belongs to. They can include letters, numbers, and some symbols. You can think of it like a lock and key; the sign in for your account is like the lock, and your password is the key!
Why do we need a password?
Passwords, like a key, are incredibly important. Without one, your account would be accessible by anyone, including people who could use your account to make trouble for you. A password will help you stay safe, just like locking your front door when you leave the house does!
How do I make my password strong?
A strong password uses a combination of letters (uppercase and lowercase), numbers, and symbols. This makes it hard to guess, which will better protect your account. You should also change your password often, which will also make it a lot harder to figure out. Lastly, NEVER share your password with anyone in ANY way. It will put you at risk because while you may trust the person you tell not to use your account maliciously, they may accidentally tell other people.
Example passwords
(Please do NOT use these passwords!)
- C@ts-and-Dogs-Living-together
- d0gsaremybestfr13nds
- PkxgbEM%@hdBnub4T
- “It is raining cats and dogs!” as a password could be, “1tsrAIn1NGcts&DGS!”
- “Later, later, not today” as a password could be, “L8r_L8rNot2day”
- “I want ice cream! for dinner in Kentucky?” as a password could be, “IwiCcR!fOdIiNkE?”
Video
Activity
Let’s test your password-making skills! Go to How Secure Is My Password? and try making five passwords that will take longer than 10 years to crack. Let us know if you were able to do it on our social media page!