What it shows
An anonymous survey of habits, such as sharing passwords or reusing one everywhere, gives percentages and a bar chart. It shows which habits put accounts at risk and how to improve them.
The science
Reusing one password means that if one website is hacked, thieves can try that password on others. Sharing passwords removes the point of having one, and short or guessable ones are cracked quickly. A survey turns opinions into numbers, so the habits that most need attention can be seen and discussed.
Materials
Cost: free. Many items come from home or from waste; spare parts such as LEDs, motors and wire are in the store.
- A computer, laptop or phone with a browser (free)
- A spreadsheet program: LibreOffice Calc (free) or Google Sheets (free)
- A paper form with 6 yes or no questions, and 30 classmates who agree to answer
- Teacher’s permission to run the survey
- A notebook and a pencil
Safety
For this project: Never ask anyone for their actual password. Questions must be about habits only, answers must be anonymous, and a teacher must agree to the survey.
Never use mains electricity: power models with cells, batteries or a low-voltage adapter. Sharp and hot tools, flames and lab chemicals need an adult or your teacher beside you. Keep magnets, button cells and small parts away from young children, and wash your hands after making.
All the safety rulesStep by step
8 steps. Do them in order, and test each part before you go on to the next. Write what you notice in a notebook as you go.
Write six habit questions, such as Do you use the same password for more than one account? Have you shared a password with a friend? Do you use your name or birthday in it?
Print the form with Yes and No boxes and no space for names, and ask your teacher’s permission.
Collect 30 forms and tally the answers on paper.
In a spreadsheet make a table with the question in column A and Yes in column B and No in column C.
In D2 type =B2/(B2+C2) and format as percent for the share who said Yes, then copy down.
Select the questions and the percentages and insert a Bar chart with the title Risky password habits in our class.
Find the habit with the highest percent and write three tips to fix it: long passphrases, one password per account, and a trusted adult’s help for recovery.
Share the tips with the class in a poster and repeat the survey after a month to see if habits changed.
What you should see
The chart shows the percentage of students who follow each risky habit, with the biggest problem clear, and a tip poster; a repeat survey shows any change.
Viva questions
A teacher or a judge will ask how it works. Try to answer each question before you open it, then compare.
1Why is reusing a password risky?
One data leak lets attackers try it on all your other accounts.
2Why is the survey anonymous?
So that people answer honestly and nobody is embarrassed.
3What makes a strong password?
It is long, hard to guess and used only for one account.
4What should you never share?
Your password or one-time passwords (OTPs).
Take it further
Teach a class of younger children one password rule with a short skit and test whether they remember it a week later.
Change one thing, measure what happens, and add a table or chart of your readings: that is what turns a model into your own investigation.
Free ebooks for this project
Computer & office
Safe UPI and Digital Payments
Pay and receive money online, and recognise the tricks fraudsters use
Computer & office
Computer Fundamentals Study Book
The complete study notes, practice questions and glossary for Computer Fundamentals