← ACARA Digital Technologies Years 5–6

Keeping your passphrase private

Your passphrase is a secret. Do not tell friends, type it where others can watch, or put it in a message. Only share it with a parent or carer you trust.

Part of: ACARA Digital Technologies Years 5–6 — Staying Safe Online — Module 15, ACARA Digital Technologies Years 5–6 — Digital Footprints — Module 38

Understanding Keeping your passphrase private in ACARA Digital Technologies Years 5–6

What it does: Covering the keyboard hides your keys, so people nearby cannot see your passphrase as you type it. A note by the screen can be read by anyone who walks past, so it is not private. A passphrase is a secret. Even good friends should not know it, because they might pass it on or use it by accident. Messages can be copied, forwarded or seen by others. Never put your passphrase in a message. Typing where others can watch is risky. It is fine to say no politely to protect your secret. The note makes the passphrase visible to others, so the secret is no longer private.

Common mistakes: Your passphrase is a secret, so you must not share it with friends. The first line should be share_with_friends = False. A friend is not on the trusted list, so ok should be False. Using 'not in' would make it True and let a friend get the passphrase. It should be: ok = who_asks in trusted.

Class: _____________________  ·  Name: _____________________  ·  Date: _________

Free printable worksheet with full answer key — or add this module to a class and your students practise it interactively.

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This module's key terms are also in a printable crossword (Modules 137–153) and word search (Modules 137–225).

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Learning
Duo
Your best friend asks for your passphrase so they can play your game. What should you do?
Say no and keep it secret, even from a best friendTell them, because best friends can be trusted
Matches
send(friend, "My passphrase is purple-frog-tent")
↓
Sending your passphrase in a message to a friend shares your secret. The message could be seen or passed on.
Applying
Meanings
Term
keep it private
Meaning
Your passphrase is a secret. Do not tell friends, type it where others can watch, or put it in a message. Only share it with a parent or carer you trust.
Practice
Keep my passphrase private.
Testing
Gaps
tellFriends =
Check Answer
Spots
1share_with_friends = True
2if friend_asks == True:

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Quick Questions

1. Your best friend asks for your passphrase so they can play your game. What should you do?
A. Say no and keep it secret, even from a best friend ✓
B. Tell them, because best friends can be trusted
A passphrase is a secret. Even good friends should not know it, because they might pass it on or use it by accident.
2. Who is the only person you might share your passphrase with?
A. A parent or carer you trust ✓
B. A classmate you sit next to
Only a parent or carer you trust should ever know your passphrase. They can help keep your account safe.
3. You are about to log in and someone is standing behind you. What is the safest choice?
A. Type it quickly and hope they do not look
B. Cover the keyboard or wait until no one is watching ✓
People can learn your passphrase by watching you type. Cover the keyboard or wait until you have privacy.
4. Where is the safest place to keep your passphrase?
A. In your memory, or shared only with a trusted parent or carer ✓
B. On a sticky note stuck next to the screen
A note by the screen can be seen by anyone who walks past. Remember your passphrase instead, perhaps with a silly picture.
5. A friend says, 'Just message me your passphrase and I will fix your account.' What is the right move?
A. Send it in a private message, because it is only one person
B. Do not send it in a message, and ask a trusted adult for help ✓
Messages can be copied, forwarded or seen by others. Never put your passphrase in a message.

Match the Pairs

keep it private → Your passphrase is a secret, so you do not tell it to friends, even your best friend.
share with a parent or carer → The only person you may tell your passphrase to is a parent or carer you trust.
Cover the keyboard with your hand so no one can watch you type your passphrase. → cover_keyboard()
Do not leave your passphrase on a note stuck by the screen where others can read it. → note_by_screen = false
send(friend, "My passphrase is purple-frog-tent") → Sending your passphrase in a message to a friend shares your secret. The message could be seen or passed on.
stick_note(screen, passphrase) → Sticking your passphrase on a note by the screen lets anyone who walks past read it.

Key Term

keep it private
Your passphrase is a secret. Do not tell friends, type it where others can watch, or put it in a message. Only share it with a parent or carer you trust.

Fill in the Blanks

1. tellFriends = false
Hint: Type the true or false value that shows you do not tell your passphrase to friends.
2. IF person = "friend" THEN keepPrivate(passphrase) END IF
Hint: Type the function name that keeps the passphrase secret from a friend.
3. IF who = "parent" THEN share(passphrase) END IF
Hint: Type the keyword that comes after the condition and starts the action for a trusted parent or carer.
4. IF peopleWatching = true THEN coverKeyboard() END IF
Hint: Type the function name that hides your typing from people who are watching.
5. IF noteByScreen = true THEN throwAway(note) END IF
Hint: Type the function name that gets rid of a passphrase note left by the screen.

Spot the Error

Question 1
A share_with_friends = True
B if friend_asks == True:
C say("No, it is secret")
Line A — Your passphrase is a secret, so you must not share it with friends. The first line should be share_with_friends = False.
Question 2
A trusted = ["parent", "carer"]
B who_asks = "friend"
C ok = who_asks not in trusted
Line C — A friend is not on the trusted list, so ok should be False. Using 'not in' would make it True and let a friend get the passphrase. It should be: ok = who_asks in trusted.
Question 3
A def log_in():
B look_around()
C uncover_keyboard()
D type_passphrase()
Line C — You should cover the keyboard so nobody can watch you type your passphrase. Uncovering it lets others see. The line should be cover_keyboard().
Question 4
A where = "in my head"
B note_on_screen = True
C print("Passphrase is safe")
Line B — A note stuck by the screen lets anyone read your passphrase, so it is not safe. It should be note_on_screen = False.
Question 5
A nearby = True
B while nearby:
C wait()
D nearby = False
Line D — Setting nearby to False just assumes nobody is watching without checking. You need to look around again before typing your passphrase: nearby = look_around().

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