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Strong passwords and secure access

Lesson details

Learning outcome

I can create, store and protect strong passwords to keep devices secure.

Key learning points

  1. A strong password makes it harder for other people to access accounts, messages and files.
  2. Reusing passwords means one compromised password can give access to many accounts.
  3. Password managers can store passwords safely.

Keywords

  • Strong password - a mix of upper and lower-case letters, numbers and symbols to create an unpredictable sequence of characters

  • Multi-factor authentication - a security system that requires two or more distinct forms of identification, for example, a password and a fingerprint

  • Password manager - an application that stores multiple passwords under a single strong password

Common misconception

You only need one strong password and you can use this across multiple accounts.

You should not reuse passwords. If you struggle to remember passwords, you can store them using a password manager.

Teacher tip

Pupils may have been told in the past to write down passwords. It is worth discussing this and why it may not be the best idea.

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2026), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0
except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions
(Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

6 Questions

Q1.
Which device would be best for a student who wants to work at home and at school?

a desktop computer
a smartphone
Correct answer: a laptop

Q2.
What is a password used for?

to charge a device
to correct errors in a document
Correct answer: to allow access to an account or system

Q3.
A password should be kept and not shared with others.

Correct Answer: secret, secure, private

Q4.
Select the actions which are safe.

Correct answer: logging out of a shared computer
sharing your password with a friend
Correct answer: keeping passwords private
writing a password on a sticky note

Q5.
What could happen if someone else gets your password?

your internet stops working
Correct answer: they could access your account
nothing will happen

Q6.
What is an account used for on a digital device or online service?

Correct answer: to give you access to apps, settings and saved information
to charge the device
to allow the device to be found if lost

6 Questions

Q1.
Which of the following is the strongest password?

password
Aisha12
12345
Correct answer: pqcw7kR@G*Gc

Q2.
Why should you not use the same password for all accounts?

it slows down your device
Correct answer: one compromised password could give access to many accounts
it is hard to remember

Q3.
Multi-factor adds an extra layer of security by requiring more than one way to prove who you are.

Correct Answer: authentication

Q4.
Which of these is an example of multi-factor authentication?

Correct answer: entering a code sent to your phone after typing your password
reusing the same password
using a strong password

Q5.
Match the term to the descritpion.

Correct Answer:brute force attack,tries every possible combination

tries every possible combination

Correct Answer:dictionary attack,uses a list of common or known passwords

uses a list of common or known passwords

Correct Answer:compromised password,no longer secret or safe

no longer secret or safe

Q6.
A password is an app that stores many passwords securely and only needs one strong master password.

Correct Answer: manager

To help you plan your 6 digital literacy lesson on: Strong passwords and secure access, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...