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For the complete documentation index, see llms.txt. This page is also available as Markdown.

Hands-On Activity

How safe is your password

Combination Lock

Imagine a combination lock like the ones in the image above. Let's assume we don't know the combination to open this lock, but we need to open it to access something important. Write down different ideas of how you would open the lock and then compare them with our list below.

Our ideas to open the lock

  • Try random combinations. It may be your lucky day and guess the password within seconds, but most likely you will struggle to keep track of the numbers you have tried and it will take a very long time.

  • Methodically go over each one of the combinations. This technique is called Brute Forcing, and it implies considering and testing each one of the possible options until the correct one is found.

  • Destroy the shackle with a tool. Not great, as you lose your lock, and requires you to have the right tool/s.

  • Call a locksmith to open the lock for you. This option is expensive and takes time.

We can use this activity to start thinking about how someone can figure out our code or password. We could reduce the options to:

  1. Try all the combinations until the right one is found.

  2. Use your expertise or someone else's to open the lock without knowing the combination.

Digital lock or password

Let's think about the same concept as with the combination lock, but now in the digital world. Go over each one of the examples and at each step see how the process gets faster.

Think and test different ideas within each one of the programs below to help improve the process, either by making it faster or by making it more reliable or adaptable.

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Manual Unlock

Click on the image above and try to guess the password using any method at your disposal.

Hint: There is a way to see the code for this application. Can you find it?

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Auto Search - Brute Forcing

Click on the image above and let the program run. It is designed to methodically go over all combinations until the right one is found.

Take note of how long it took to find the code.

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Auto Search - Faster and more flexible

This version is faster than the previous ones and also lets the user enter up to eight numbers.

Try finding the same number as in the previous activity and compare how long it takes.

What did we learn?

We learned that given enough time and resources, for example, lock picking skills in the case of the combination lock and coding skills in the digital examples, any combination can be found.

Does this mean that we are at the mercy of malicious agents when it comes to our password security? Not at all. In the next section, we'll cover three techniques to Protect Yourself and your information.

💻 Optional: Code a Password Finder - Scratch - micro:bit - p5.js - web

These are different ways of coding a password finder using different computer languages and techniques

Links also in the Resources section: Password Activites

🤿 Optional: Deep Dive - Brute Forcing Attacks

A brute force attack is like a digital guessing game where a computer tries to crack a secret code or password by trying every possible combination until it gets the right one. It's a bit like trying to unlock your friend's bike lock without knowing the combination.

Here's how it works:

  1. Every Combination: Imagine you have a bicycle lock with three digits. A brute force attack would start with 000, then 001, 002, 003, and so on, all the way up to 999. That's 1,000 possible combinations!

  2. Time-Consuming: Brute force attacks can take a very long time because they go through all these combinations one by one. It's like trying every key in the world until you find the one that fits your friend's bike lock.

Learn more at:

PreviousPasswordsNext1-2-3 Protect Yourself

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