← ACARA Digital Technologies Years 5–6

What to do if your passphrase is shared or leaked

If someone else might know your passphrase, change it straight away and tell a trusted adult. If you used it on other accounts, change it there too and check for odd activity.

Part of: ACARA Digital Technologies Years 5–6 — Staying Safe Online — Module 16, ACARA Digital Technologies Years 5–6 — Digital Footprints — Module 40

Understanding What to do if your passphrase is shared or leaked in ACARA Digital Technologies Years 5–6

What it does: The loop changes the passphrase on every account that used it, so a leaked passphrase cannot open the others. Checking for odd activity helps you spot if someone has already used your account. If someone else may know your passphrase, change it straight away and tell a trusted adult. Acting quickly stops other people from using your account. Waiting gives them more time. A small change is easy to guess. Make a brand new passphrase that is not like the old one. tell_adult() is the step of telling a parent, carer or teacher, who can help you fix the problem.

Common mistakes: If your passphrase has leaked, you must tell a trusted adult. Ignoring it does not keep you safe. Line 3 should be tell_adult(). After a passphrase is shared you should check the account for odd activity straight away, not wait. Line 4 should be check_for_odd_activity().

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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Each concept is reinforced from every angle — learned, then applied, then tested.

Learning

Duo

Your friend saw you type your passphrase. What should you do?

Change your passphrase straight away and tell a trusted adultKeep it the same and hope your friend forgets it

Matches

IF leaked THEN wait_a_week()

↓

Waiting gives someone time to use your account. You should change the passphrase straight away.

Applying

Meanings

Term

change it and tell an adult

Meaning

If someone else might know your passphrase, change it straight away and tell a trusted adult. If you used it on other accounts, change it there too and check for odd activity.

Practice

IF passphrase may be known THEN

Testing

Gaps

()

Check Answer

Spots

2 change_passphrase()

3 ignore_it()

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Quick Questions

1. Your friend saw you type your passphrase. What should you do?

A. Keep it the same and hope your friend forgets it

B. Change your passphrase straight away and tell a trusted adult ✓

If someone else may know your passphrase, change it straight away and tell a trusted adult.

2. Which is the best first step if you think your passphrase has leaked?

A. Change it right now ✓

B. Wait a week to see if anything happens

Acting quickly stops other people from using your account. Waiting gives them more time.

3. Who should you tell if your passphrase has been shared?

A. A trusted adult, like a parent or teacher ✓

B. Nobody, because it is too embarrassing

Everyone makes mistakes. A trusted adult can help you fix the problem and keep your account safe.

4. You used the same passphrase on a game and a school account. The game says it was leaked. What should you do?

A. Change it only on the game

B. Change it on the game AND the school account ✓

If you reused the passphrase, a stranger could try it on your other accounts. Change it everywhere you used it.

5. After changing a leaked passphrase, what is a smart thing to check?

A. Look for odd activity, like posts or messages you did not send ✓

B. Nothing. Once it is changed, you never need to look again

Checking for odd activity helps you spot if someone has already been using your account.

Match the Pairs

IF shared THEN change_passphrase() → If someone might know your passphrase, change it straight away.

tell_adult() → Tell a trusted adult so they can help you stay safe.

If you used the same passphrase on other accounts, change it on those accounts too. → FOR each account with same passphrase: change_passphrase()

After a leak, check for odd activity such as logins or messages you do not recognise. → check_activity("odd logins")

IF leaked THEN wait_a_week() → Waiting gives someone time to use your account. You should change the passphrase straight away.

IF reused THEN change_one_account() → If you reused the passphrase, changing only one account leaves the others open. Change it on every account that used it.

Key Term

change it and tell an adult

If someone else might know your passphrase, change it straight away and tell a trusted adult. If you used it on other accounts, change it there too and check for odd activity.

Fill in the Blanks

1. IF passphraseLeaked = true THEN changePassphrase() tellAdult()

Hint: Type the function name for the first step you take to make the leaked passphrase useless.

2. IF passphraseLeaked = true THEN changePassphrase() tellAdult()

Hint: Type the function name for the step where you get help from someone you trust.

3. IF passphraseLeaked = true THEN changePassphrase() END IF

Hint: Type the keyword that starts a decision, so the code only runs when the passphrase has leaked.

4. IF reused = true THEN changeOnOtherAccounts() END IF

Hint: Type the Boolean value that means yes, the passphrase was used on other accounts.

5. changePassphrase() tellAdult() checkActivity()

Hint: Type the function name for looking at your account for odd or unexpected activity.

Spot the Error

Question 1

A IF passphrase_leaked THEN

B change_passphrase()

C ignore_it()

D END IF

Line C — If your passphrase has leaked, you must tell a trusted adult. Ignoring it does not keep you safe. Line 3 should be tell_adult().

Question 2

A IF friend_saw_passphrase THEN

B change_passphrase()

C tell_adult()

D wait_a_month()

E END IF

Line D — After a passphrase is shared you should check the account for odd activity straight away, not wait. Line 4 should be check_for_odd_activity().

Question 3

A IF passphrase_is_safe THEN

B change_passphrase()

C tell_adult()

D END IF

Line A — The steps should run when other people know your passphrase. A safe passphrase needs no action. Line 1 should be IF others_know_passphrase THEN.

Question 4

A leaked ← true

B reused ← true

C IF NOT reused THEN

D change_on_other_accounts()

E END IF

Line C — You must change the passphrase on other accounts when it WAS reused. NOT reused would skip those accounts. Line 3 should be IF reused THEN.

Question 5

A leaked ← true

B change_passphrase()

C tell_adult()

D send_passphrase_to_friend()

Line D — Sending your passphrase to anyone makes the problem worse. The last step should be check_for_odd_activity().

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