> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://resources.digitalmoment.org/cybersecurity/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://resources.digitalmoment.org/cybersecurity/passwords.md).
# Passwords
### Definition
Think of passwords as the **secret** **keys** to your digital world. Just like you have a key to your house or a lock to your locker to keep your belongings safe, a password keeps your digital belongings secure. It's a word or a combination of letters, numbers, and symbols that only you should know.
In this curriculum, we are addressing threats and means to protect ourselves in the digital world, but will start with an analogy of how combination locks can be bypassed in the physical world will help our learning.
The next [**Hands-On activity**](/cybersecurity/passwords/hands-on-activity.md) will get us thinking about the different ways our passwords can be guessed or found out.
🤿 Optional: Deep Dive - Definitions from other sources
* "A string of characters (letters, numbers and other symbols) that is used to authenticate an identity, to verify access authorization or to derive cryptographic keys." [National Institute of Standards and Technology NIST](https://nvlpubs.nist.gov/nistpubs/SpecialPublications/NIST.SP.800-57pt2r1.pdf)
* "A secret word or code used to serve as a security measure against unauthorized access to data. It may be used to log onto a computer, mobile device, network or website or to activate newly installed software in the computer" [PC Magazine](https://www.pcmag.com/encyclopedia/term/password)
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