Year 6 Computing: Secure Passwords and Brute Force Hacking

A ready-to-teach 23-slide Year 6 computing lesson exploring why longer, unpredictable passwords are more secure.

Pupils complete a human code challenge, learn how brute force hacking systematically tests combinations, and investigate a working Scratch emulator. They read the program’s algorithm, identify repetition and selection, then adapt it from testing three-digit to four-digit numerical passwords.

Includes clear teacher guidance, partner roles, practical testing tasks, links to place value, secure-password advice, real-world examples and reasoning questions about combinations, predictability and computer processing.