This document discusses guidelines for creating secure usernames and passwords. It recommends usernames that do not attract negative attention, reveal personal information, or use real names, ages or genders. The document notes the most commonly used passwords can be easily guessed or cracked. It provides tips for strong passwords, such as mixing uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols; being at least 8 characters; and not including personal information. Users are advised to keep passwords private and change them regularly for maximum security.
14. Project Create at least 3 different screen names that you think will meet all of these guidelines: Names that are not likely to attract negative attention Names that do not use bad language Names that don’t reveal any personal information Names that don’t reveal a real name, age, or gender
16. Most Commonly Used Passwords Names of baseball, football or basketball teams Birth dates of family members The year of a special sports event The word “password” or variation The number sequence “123456” or letter/number variation such as “abc123” or “123abc” The name of a family member, pet, favorite TV show character, celebrity or band
17. Why are student accounts easily hacked? The password is cracked using a password cracking program. The password is easily guessed by others who know personal things about the student. Students write their passwords down where others are able to see it. Students give their password to friends who then decide to use it or give it to others who use it. Other students see the password as the student enters it on a keyboard.
19. Does your password include the name of a family member or pet? -3 Does your password include a birth date of a family member? -3 Does your password contain one or more words that could be found in a dictionary (including French, Spanish, Italian, German)? -1 Does your password contain a random set of numbers? +2 Does your password contain both letters and numbers? +2 Does your password have 8 or more characters? +2 Does your password have less than 6 characters? -1 Does your password contain one or more non-number, non-letter characters such as a ! Or =? +3 Does the password contain the date of a well known event, such as the date a baseball team won the pennant? -1 Does your password contain at least 3 numbers in numerical sequence such as “123”? -2 Does your password contain any word spelled backwards? -1 Is your password written down on any piece of paper within 15 feet of your computer? -2 Does your password contain your telephone number, zip code, area code, or a portion of them? -2 Does your password include a mixture of UPPER and lower case letters? +2 Have you ever shared your current password with a friend? -3
20. Password Test Scoring EXCELLENT 8 or higher SOMEWHAT GOOD 4-7 Think about adding some other characters to your password VERY POOR Less than 4 Time to make a new password
21. Tips for a VERY STRONG password Always use a mix of letters and numbers Use a mix of UPPER and lower case letters Use characters that are not letters or number such as =!$# Always use a password that contains 6 letters or more Create acronyms (a word that is created by taking the first letter of a sequence of words)
22. Individual Project Create a secure password Think of a line from a song and write it down. Create an acronym from the first letter of each word in the line. Change at lease one letter (not the first) to a capital letter. Add a non-number, non-letter character, or a substitute a ! For an I, $ for an s, etc. Add a two or three digit number.
23. Individual Project Create a secure password Think of the name of someone you admire and write it down. Create a four-letter acronym from the first two letters of their first and last name. Change at least one letter (not the first) to a capital letter. Add a non-number, non-letter character or substitute a ! for an I, $ for an s, etc. Mix in two numbers taken from your age. Don’t put these numbers next to each other.
Editor's Notes
Show picture of boys – have students volunteer to come up to board and use 5 words to describe each boy.By a show of hands – Which boy do you think is more likely to be honest?Which boy do you think is more likely to be mean?Which boy do you think is more likely to be a good friend?Which boy do you think is a better students in school?Why do you think is? Based on looks?Which brings us to an important point – others judge us by how we look, dress, talk, etc. – do you feel that is a true statement? Why or why not? So, when you meet someone online – you only know their username, so the names we choose are very important – do you agree with that statement?
Kids sometimes choose screen names that attract negative attention, hurtful or makes others feel uncomfortable. Choosing the wrong screen name can encourage others to treat you poorly. Explain why you think someone online might harass those with screen names such as these?
Some students choose screen names that give away too much information about themselves. What can you tell about these users?If a stranger strikes up a conversation with you and states “I take karate too” would you be likely to engage in a conversation. Students have a tendency to think that since they are on the computer, the other person “cannot see them” – this is not true! – especially if that user can connect you to an email address.
Have students come up to board – pick a user name that is either good or bad and explain the reasoning why – have them give specific information about what is wrong.
print copies for students and have them work in groups – review names as a class
