What is a Password?

When you create an account on the internet, such as for a game or a school website, you must choose a password. This password acts as a secret key that protects your account and the information inside it. It ensures that only you can access your account, keeping your personal details safe from others.

Why are Passwords Important?

Passwords are essential because they prevent unauthorised people from entering your accounts. If someone else guesses or discovers your password, they could view your private information, send messages pretending to be you, or even change your account settings. Therefore, it is crucial to select a strong password that is difficult for others to guess.

Understanding Weak Passwords

A weak password is one that can be easily guessed or discovered by others. This makes your online accounts vulnerable to unauthorised access. It is important to recognise what makes a password weak so that you can avoid using them.

Characteristics of Weak Passwords

• They are short and simple, often using common words or sequences.
• They include personal information that others might know about you.
• They lack variety in characters, such as using only numbers or letters.

Examples of Weak Passwords

Here are some common examples of weak passwords and why they are not secure:

• 1234: This is a simple number sequence that is very easy to guess.
• password: This is a common word that many people use, making it predictable.
• Your name (e.g., 'alex'): Anyone who knows you could easily try your name.
• Your pet's name (e.g., 'fluffy'): Personal details like this are often shared and can be guessed by friends or family.
• qwerty: This is a sequence of keys on the keyboard, which is commonly used and easy to figure out.

These passwords are weak because they are straightforward and do not require much effort to crack. Always avoid using weak passwords to keep your accounts safe and secure.

Understanding Strong Passwords

A strong password is designed to be very difficult for others to guess or discover. This helps to protect your online accounts from unauthorised access. It is important to learn what makes a password strong so that you can create secure ones for yourself.

Characteristics of Strong Passwords

• They are at least 8 characters long, making them harder to guess.
• They include a mix of uppercase letters (like A, B, C) and lowercase letters (like a, b, c) to add variety.
• They contain numbers (like 1, 2, 3) to increase complexity.
• They use special characters (such as !, @, #, $, %, ^, &, *) to make them even more unique.

Examples of Strong Passwords

Here are some examples of strong passwords and why they are secure:

• BlueSky!23: This combines uppercase and lowercase letters, a number, and a special character, and it is 10 characters long.
• HappyDog#456: This uses a mix of letters, numbers, and a special character, making it difficult to predict.
• StarJump@789: This includes varied characters and is long enough to resist easy guessing.

These passwords are strong because they use a combination of different types of characters and are not based on simple words or personal information. By following these guidelines, you can create passwords that keep your accounts safe.

Strong vs Weak Passwords

Now it is time to test what you have learned! Below are some passwords. For each one, decide if it is weak or strong by clicking the button. You will get feedback to see if you are right, and why.

Remember: Weak passwords are easy to guess, like simple words or numbers. Strong passwords are long, with a mix of letters, numbers, and special characters.

Commonly Used Passwords to Avoid

Many people choose simple passwords because they are easy to remember. However, these common passwords are well-known to hackers, who try them first when attempting to access accounts. Using such passwords can put your online security at risk.

Why Avoid These Passwords?

These passwords are frequently used by many individuals, making them easy for hackers to guess. To protect your accounts, it is important to create unique passwords that are not on this list.

Examples of Common Passwords

Here are some of the most commonly used passwords. Avoid using them and create something more secure instead.

• 123456
• password
• qwerty
• abc123
• iloveyou
• sunshine
• football
• princess
• welcome
• monkey

Although these passwords may seem convenient, they are not strong enough to protect against unauthorised access.