How well are you keeping your personal information private?
Creative Common Photo: Flickr
Are you keeping your private information secure with strong passwords? This is the question we have been talking about in 4th and 5th grade as part of our digital citizenship unit.
Year after year, two passwords stay at the top as the most used passwords for online accounts. Do you know what they are?
#1 = Password
#2 = 123456
While easy to remember, these passwords open you up to easy access by hackers. A better idea is to choose a password that is easy for you to remember, but hard for hackers to figure out. Here are some suggestions:
-
more than 5 characters – best is at least 8
- a combination of UPper and LOwer letters, numbers and symbols
- AmSt$@Nd
- initial letters of a sentence with meaning for you.
- For example: Jane Smith runs at Juanita Beach Park in 2013 === JAsmR@JbP13
- stay away from using personal information like your address, name, phone number, pet names, etc.
Using computers is now a part of everyday life. Protecting your privacy and digital footprint are important rules to stay safe when you are online. Be Smart, Be Safe!
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What do you think is another popular password?
Do you use an app to store your passwords? Which one?
Dear Mrs Hembree,
Great post, how right you are about been protective and safe on line. Trouble is that even when you feel that you are safe you sometimes can fall into the trap and your privacy has been given out.
I feel the more we are aware of how we can protect our privacy the better of we are. A huge pat on the back to you Mrs Hembree for remaining us how to protect our privacy when on the computer.
Take care Mrs Hembree just love your blog and it’s great to be back on line again checking out your amazing blog.
From your pal down under,
AA
Dear AA,
How great to hear from you! Yes, remembering that passwords need to be secure is a lesson we can all review occasionally. I know I have been guilty of using some pretty weak passwords, but now I make sure that the ones I use are strong and difficult to guess.
Have you or BB read any fun books lately? I just finished an interview with an author that you might enjoy. Here’s the link: http://librarylionsroar.blogspot.com/
Our new library is all set up now and so busy! We have lots of visitors during recess time.
Please say Hi! to BB and check back again soon. I’m working on a post about a dog book!
From your librarian friend,
Mrs. Hembree