November Internet Safety Topic

Norfolk Public Schools sets passwords for our elementary students to use.  Students are instructed to use only their own passwords when logging in to the computer or to their Google accounts and never to share their passwords with others.   Outside of NPS,  students may be creating passwords for other purposes, so we included information to help them to create strong passwords.

The Dos and Don'ts of Creating Strong Passwords

  • Do make your passwords eight or more characters, using combinations of letters, numbers, and symbols. (These are harder to crack than regular words because there are more combinations to try.)

  • Don't include any private-identity information in your password. (People may easily guess passwords that include your name, address, birth date, and so on.)

  • Do change your password for private accounts at least every six months. (This way, even if someone does guess your password, they won't be able to get into your account for long.)

  • Don't share your password with your friends. (Even if you trust them, they might unintentionally do something that puts you or your information at risk.) (Common Sense Media)

  • Do not write passwords down on small pieces of paper taped to your computer.

  • Passwords that are easy to guess are a bad choice.   The most common password is password123, which is so easy to guess.

  • Ask yourself a question that only you can answer, and use that answer as the base for your password.  You can also add numbers, special characters, and capital letters.0  (Cybersmart.org)

    For Parents:  Rather than remembering passwords for each online account, you may want to consider using a password manager to store passwords for you.  This may help you avoid using the same password for online financial or personal accounts.  See the video below to learn more.