Passwords and authentication best practices in Intro to Computing - Cheat Sheet & Quick Revision

Recall & Review

beginner

What is the purpose of using a strong password?

A strong password protects your accounts by making it hard for others to guess or crack it, keeping your personal information safe.

beginner

Why should you avoid using the same password for multiple accounts?

Using the same password everywhere means if one account is hacked, all your accounts can be accessed by the attacker.

beginner

What is two-factor authentication (2FA)?

Two-factor authentication adds an extra step to logging in, like a code sent to your phone, making it harder for someone else to access your account even if they know your password.

intermediate

How does a password manager help with authentication best practices?

A password manager safely stores and creates strong, unique passwords for each account, so you don’t have to remember them all.

intermediate

What are common signs that your password might be compromised?

Unexpected login alerts, password reset emails you didn’t request, or strange activity on your accounts can mean your password is compromised.

Which of the following is the strongest password?

A BlueCar$7!Tree

B 12345678

C P@ssw0rd123

D password

Option A uses a mix of uppercase, lowercase, symbols, and numbers, making it stronger than the others.

What does two-factor authentication require besides a password?

A Your username

B Your email address

C A second form of verification like a code

D Your birthdate

Two-factor authentication requires a second verification step, such as a code sent to your phone.

Why is it risky to write down your passwords on paper?

A Paper passwords are automatically encrypted

B Paper can be lost or seen by others

C Paper passwords are harder to remember

D Paper passwords expire quickly

Writing passwords on paper risks them being lost or seen by someone else, compromising security.

What is a benefit of using a password manager?

A It remembers all your passwords securely

B It shares your passwords with friends

C It uses the same password for all accounts

D It disables two-factor authentication

Password managers securely store and help generate strong passwords for you.

If you receive a password reset email you didn’t request, what should you do?

A Forward the email to friends

B Click the link to reset your password immediately

C Ignore it and do nothing

D Check your account for suspicious activity and change your password

Unexpected password reset emails can be a sign of hacking attempts; check your account and update your password.

Explain why using unique, strong passwords and two-factor authentication improves your online security.

Think about how attackers try to access accounts and how these methods block them.

Describe how a password manager works and why it is helpful for managing passwords.

Imagine having one safe place for all your keys instead of carrying them all.

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