Decoding Nazi Secrets

Student Handout

Password Protection

When choosing a password, many people choose something that is easy to remember. But how secure are these kinds of passwords? Do this activity and find out.

Procedure

1. Read these three biographies. For each, write a list of possible four- to eight-letter passwords they might use for their cell phones, computers, or ATM machines.

   1. Miss Elisia Valdrez is a retired grade one teacher.

   2. Michael Thomas is a high school football coach.

   3. Ling loves mathematics and dates Ken. Her two cats are Samantha and Tigger.

Questions
Write your answers on a separate sheet of paper.

1. What kind of passwords are easy to remember but hard to guess?

2. List any of your current passwords. Do you feel your current passwords are (a) relatively secure, (b) somewhat at risk, or (c) should be changed ASAP!? If you think they should be changed, why?