Chapter 8

Strong Passwords

Learning objectives
• Understand why using strong password is important.
• Identify the risks of using weak passwords.
• Create strong passwords using a step-by-step process.
Chapter 8: Strong Passwords

1- Warm-up Story: A Sneaky Thief

99
Chapter 8: Strong Passwords

2- Think and Discuss

• How did the thief guess the password of the safe?
• Why was he able to guess it easily?
• If you were the bank manager, what would you do?
• Can you think of a strong password that you could remember?

3- Create a strong password!

Open the file “Three little pigs - password game” and play the game .
Passwords protect your accounts (mobile phone account, facebook account, …)
from being stolen or used by other people.
What do you think would happen if someone knew a password of one of your
accounts that contains some of your private data?
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
There are some rules that should be followed:
Only your parents should Don’t use your name as Use words, numbers and
know your password. password. special symbols in your
password.

100
Chapter 8: Strong Passwords

4- DinoPass password generator

Simple passwords only have lower case letters and numbers. They are easier to
remember but might also be easier for someone else to guess.

Go to DinoPass website, https://www.dinopass.com/ and generate 1 simple (easy)

password and 1 strong password, then fill them below:

• Simple Password: ..........................................

• Strong Password: ..........................................

101
Chapter 8: Strong Passwords

5- Easy-to-remember but strong passwords

Discussion
What was the password that they found?
………………………………………………………………………………………………………

102
Chapter 8: Strong Passwords

Was it a safe choice?

…………………………………………………………………………………………..
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Can you think of a stronger password using the same song? Try exchanging the o’s
with zeros for example:
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Now it’s your turn to think about a sentence and then create a password using it.
Your …………………………………………………………………………………
sentence …………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………

Your …………………………………………………………………………………
Password …………

6- Password Tips
Use MS Word to create the following Do’s and Don’ts and distribute them to your
family and friends by email to encourage them to use strong passwords.
Do’s
• DO share your password only with your parents.
• DO create passwords with at least eight characters.
• DO use combinations of letters, numbers, and symbols.
• DO change your password regularly – at least every six months.
Don’ts
• DON’T give a password to anyone else – not even your friends.
• DON’T use passwords that are easy for people you know to guess, like
your nickname or your pet’s name.
• DON’T use any private information in your password.
• DON’T use a word in the dictionary as a password.

7- Summary
In this lesson, we learned about the importance of having a strong password.
We also learned about tips on how to create strong passwords.
And most importantly, we learned a smart way to create strong but easy-to-
remember passwords.

103
Chapter 8: Strong Passwords

8- Evaluation
1. Read the rules below and write either DO or DON’T in each space:
…………… share your password with your best friend only.
…………… use a word from the dictionary as your password.
…………… use 5 characters for your password.

2. Read the following sentences and transform them each into three different
passwords:
a. A yellow lion sits surprised near seven big elephants.

b. Polar bears are giants they live up to 30 years.

c. Orange juice costs 1 dollar while apple juice costs 2 dollars.

3. Select which of these passwords is either weak or strong:

a. ojh!rtb1 Strong Weak

b. Ahmad2009 Strong Weak

c. Sara08 Strong Weak

d. Ra$79iztr Strong Weak

104