Passwords and authentication best practices in Intro to Computing - Draw & Build Visually

Draw This - beginner

Draw a flowchart that shows the best practices for creating and using passwords during authentication. Include steps for creating a strong password, verifying the password, and handling failed login attempts.

10 minutes

Hint 1

Hint 2

Hint 3

Hint 4

Hint 5

Grading Criteria

Start and End symbols present

Step for creating a strong password included

Decision symbol used for password correctness check

Handling of correct password leads to access granted

Handling of incorrect password increments fail count

Decision symbol for checking failed attempts count

Loop back to password entry if attempts are less than 3

Account lock step after 3 failed attempts

Clear flow from start to end without missing steps

Solution

  +-------+
  | Start |
  +---+---+
      |
      v
+--------------------------+
| Create strong password:   |
| - At least 8 characters   |
| - Mix letters, numbers,  |
|   and symbols            |
+------------+-------------+
             |
             v
+--------------------------+
| User enters password      |
+------------+-------------+
             |
             v
+--------------------------+
| Is password correct?      |
|       (Decision)          |
+------+---------+---------+
       |         |
      Yes       No
       |         |
       v         v
+------+--+  +---+------------+
| Grant   |  | Increment fail  |
| access  |  | count          |
+---------+  +--------+-------+
                     |
                     v
          +-----------------------+
          | Failed attempts < 3?  |
          |      (Decision)       |
          +---------+-------------+
                    |             |
                   Yes            No
                    |             |
                    v             v
          +----------------+  +-----------------+
          | Prompt user to  |  | Lock account and|
          | try again      |  | notify user     |
          +----------------+  +-----------------+
                    |
                    v
                  (loop back to
                   'User enters
                   password')

This flowchart starts with creating a strong password that is at least 8 characters long and includes a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols to make it hard to guess.

Next, the user enters their password during login. The system checks if the entered password matches the stored password.

If the password is correct, access is granted immediately.

If the password is incorrect, the system increases the count of failed attempts.

If the number of failed attempts is less than 3, the user is prompted to try again.

If the failed attempts reach 3 or more, the account is locked and the user is notified to protect against unauthorized access.

This flowchart helps visualize the best practices for password creation and authentication handling.

Variations - 2 Challenges

[intermediate] Draw a flowchart for a login system that includes two-factor authentication after password verification.

[advanced] Draw a flowchart for a password reset process that includes identity verification and setting a new password.

Practice

1. Which of the following is the best practice for creating a strong password?

easy

A. Use your username as the password

B. Use only your birthdate

C. Use a simple word like 'password'

D. Use a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand password strength factors

   A strong password includes a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols to make it hard to guess.

2. Step 2: Evaluate each option

   The other options use easily guessable information like birthdates, simple words, or usernames, making them weak passwords.

3. Final Answer:

   Use a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Strong password = mix of characters [OK]

Hint: Strong passwords mix letters, numbers, and symbols [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using only simple words or personal info
• Ignoring symbols and numbers
• Reusing the same password everywhere

2. Which of the following is the correct way to enable two-factor authentication (2FA)?

easy

A. Use only a password without any extra step

B. Enter a password and then a code sent to your phone

C. Use your password twice in a row

D. Share your password with a friend for backup

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand two-factor authentication

   2FA requires two steps: something you know (password) and something you have (code from phone).

2. Step 2: Check each option

   Only Enter a password and then a code sent to your phone describes entering a password plus a code sent to your phone, which is correct 2FA.

3. Final Answer:

   Enter a password and then a code sent to your phone -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   2FA = password + code [OK]

Hint: 2FA means password plus a code from your device [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking 2FA is just repeating the password
• Sharing passwords with others
• Skipping the second authentication step

3. Consider this scenario: You create a password 'P@ssw0rd123' and enable 2FA. What is the main benefit of enabling 2FA?

medium

A. It adds an extra layer of security beyond the password

B. It allows password sharing safely

C. It makes the password shorter

D. It removes the need to remember the password

Solution

1. Step 1: Analyze the role of 2FA

   2FA adds a second step to verify identity, making unauthorized access harder.

2. Step 2: Evaluate options

   Only It adds an extra layer of security beyond the password correctly states that 2FA adds extra security beyond just the password.

3. Final Answer:

   It adds an extra layer of security beyond the password -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   2FA = extra security layer [OK]

Hint: 2FA adds security beyond just the password [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking 2FA shortens passwords
• Believing 2FA allows safe password sharing
• Assuming 2FA removes password need

4. You wrote a password policy that requires users to create passwords with at least 8 characters, but you forgot to include numbers or symbols. What is the main issue with this policy?

medium

A. Users will be forced to use 2FA

B. Passwords will be too complex to remember

C. Passwords may be weak because they lack variety

D. Passwords will always be secure

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand password complexity

   Passwords need variety (letters, numbers, symbols) to be strong, not just length.

2. Step 2: Analyze the policy

   The policy only requires length, missing variety, so passwords may be weak.

3. Final Answer:

   Passwords may be weak because they lack variety -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Password strength = length + variety [OK]

Hint: Length alone doesn't ensure strong passwords [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming length alone makes passwords strong
• Forgetting to require symbols or numbers
• Confusing 2FA with password complexity

5. You manage a website login system. To improve security, you want to implement a policy that forces users to update their passwords every 90 days and use 2FA. Which of the following best explains why this combination is effective?

hard

A. Regular password changes reduce risk if passwords are stolen; 2FA adds a second verification step

B. Frequent password changes make users forget passwords; 2FA removes the need for passwords

C. Password updates and 2FA both replace the need for strong passwords

D. This policy allows users to share passwords safely with 2FA

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand password update benefits

   Changing passwords regularly limits the time stolen passwords can be used.

2. Step 2: Understand 2FA benefits

   2FA adds a second verification step, making unauthorized access harder even if password is known.

3. Step 3: Combine both concepts

   Together, they reduce risk from stolen passwords and add extra security layers.

4. Final Answer:

   Regular password changes reduce risk if passwords are stolen; 2FA adds a second verification step -> Option A

5. Quick Check:

   Password updates + 2FA = stronger security [OK]

Hint: Update passwords often and use 2FA for best security [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking 2FA removes need for passwords
• Believing frequent changes cause security issues
• Assuming password sharing is safe with 2FA