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GENERAL ENGLISH · GENERAL ISSUES · PRE-INTERMEDIATE (A2-B1)

PASSWORD
ADVICE

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1 Warm-up

How often do you forget your passwords?

Rarely, because I always try to use the same passwords, including numbers, letters, and special characters.

2 Key words

Study the sentences below and match the underlined words to their definitions.

1. I’m not making progress. It’s very frustrating. I want to improve much faster. A
2. The company gives a range of guidelines to keep its workers safe. D
3. You cannot solve the problem like that. You need a different approach. F
4. The boss was very angry with you. I tried to warn you to arrive on time! C
5. The default font size is 12, but you can change it if you want. B
6. The criminal tried to hack the bank’s computer. E

a. annoying because things are not happening in the way that you want
b. a way of doing something
c. existing or selected when you don’t change anything
d. general rules or advice
e. illegally enter someone else’s computer system
f. to tell someone that something bad could happen in the future

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PASSWORD ADVICE

3 Reading

You are going to read an article about how to choose a good password, according to Britain’s intelligence
organisation GCHQ. Decide if each statement below is True (T) or False (F). Then read the text to
check.

1. Complex passwords are better than simple passwords. F

2. It is important to change your default password. F
3. If you can’t remember your password, you should store it on your computer as a plain text file. F
4. It is better to create lots of passwords. F
5. Companies should have more relaxed rules about how customers should create passwords. T
6. Password management software is very safe. F

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PASSWORD ADVICE

Stop using difficult-to-guess passwords, UK’s

intelligence organisation GCHQ recommends
‘Complex passwords are not usually frustrating for attackers, but they make daily life much
more difficult for users,’ the organisation warns

In a new document, the company gives guidelines to keep people safe. And they have stopped saying
that "complex passwords are ‘stronger’". Now they recommend that people simplify their approach.
The organisation gives a number of tips for people who work in IT as well as normal users. They warn
people to change their default passwords, and to make sure that accounts cannot be accessed if they’re
under attack. They also say that people should avoid storing passwords as plain text files because other
people can read these files.
The organisation also warns against the problems of "password overload". That is what happens when
people create too many complex passwords that they can’t remember. They have to write them down,
and so the passwords become unsafe.
People often use complicated passwords because organisations have rules about the complexity of
passwords. For example, they must be a certain length or include special characters. Instead, companies
should allow people to use their own, more simple passwords.
Those simple passwords might consist of just three simple words, for instance. Or people could use
password managers — software that generates and then stores the passwords. The passwords can be
complex and people will never need to remember them.
"Software password managers can help — they generate, store and even enter passwords when
required," the report says. "However, like all security software, they can be hacked and they are an
attractive target for attackers."
That second sentence might be of interest to people who want to use the passwords — according to
new documents, GCHQ has been attacking security services used by British citizens in order to spy on
people more easily.

Adapted from The Independent, by Andrew Griffin, Friday 11 September 2015

4 Checking understanding

Read the whole text and answer the questions below:

1. Why is it bad to use complex passwords? 1 - Because they make daily life much more difficult.
2. Why should people avoid storing passwords as plain text files? 2 - Because other people can read these files.
3 - Because the people can't remember the passwords anda they have to
3. Why is it bad to use too many passwords? write then down, and so the passwords become unsafe.
4. Why do people often use complicated passwords? 4 - Because organisations have rules about the complexity of
passwords.
5. Why did GCHQ hack security services, according to new documents?
5 - GCHQ has been attacking security services used by British citizens in order to spy on people more easily.

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PASSWORD ADVICE

5 Talking point

Discuss any of the questions below.

Yes, I think the complex passwords, made our days more difficult,
because each platform or company has your policy for creating the
1. Do you agree with the advice in the article? passwords.
2. What do you think is the best way to remember passwords? To use the same passwords.
3. Is cyber crime a problem in your country? Yes, is very common.

6 Verb patterns

When one verb comes after another verb, we use the form to + infinitive (to do / not to do) or -ing
(doing / not doing). Study the examples from the text in the table and read the rules below.

verb + infinitive verb + -ing

... people who want to use the passwords Stop using difficult-to-guess
They warn people to change their default passwords.
passwords. People should avoid storing
Companies should allow people to use passwords as plain text files.
their own, more simple passwords.

Some verbs are usually followed by to + infinitive. Examples:

want decide agree plan intend
offer need promise prefer refuse hope
• We intend to spend the summer in the countryside.
• She promised to help me with my homework.
• I didn’t agree to sell you my car!

We also use to + infinitive after the structure: ask/warn/help/allow/tell/want + someone

• She asked me to help her.
• He told me to come earlier.
Some verbs are usually followed by an -ing form. Examples:
avoid admit can’t stand dislike
enjoy
hate like love practise stop
• Lenny is very sporty. He loves playing football.
• She admitted breaking the window.
• I’m going to England to practise speaking English.

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PASSWORD ADVICE

7 Grammar practice I

Complete the sentences with the verbs below in the correct form.

become book close drink eat learn

live (x2) lose not/smoke text wear

1. Diniesh loves new languages.

2. Joe hopes a doctor after his studies.
3. The doctor warned the patient cigarettes.
4. It was very cold, so I decided the window.
5. If you want weight, you should stop so much cake.
6. I told Mike a warm jacket, but he didn’t listen.
7. This website allows you a hotel room.
8. Pablo hates in the countryside. He wants in a big city.
9. Tony is very sensitive to caffeine. He avoids coffee.
10. She promised me but I’m still waiting for her message.

8 Grammar practice II

Now complete the following questions with the correct form of the verb ‘do’:

1. What do you enjoy doing ?

2. What do you dislike ?
3. Give an example of something you warned somebody or not to do.
4. What bad habits have you stopped ?
5. What do you avoid when you travel?
6. What are you planning in the near future?
7. Is there any job you hope in the future?
8. Have you ever asked someone something very important for you?

In pairs, ask and answer the questions.

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