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Study guide · 7.2

Protect devices and digital content

Protecting devices and content starts with strong passwords, knowing when to change them, locking devices and clearing what your browser stores. This guide covers each of these everyday habits.

A study feature written by ExamDragon, not part of the real exam. Each heading is one of Certiport's skills for this objective.

7.2.1Identify features of secure passwords

  • Length matters most: aim for at least 12 characters; a passphrase of several random words is long and easy to remember.
  • Mix upper and lower case letters, numbers and symbols where allowed.
  • Avoid personal details (names, birthdays, pet names), common words and patterns such as 123456 or qwerty.
  • Use a different password for every account so one leak does not open the others.
  • A password manager creates and stores strong passwords for you.
  • Never share passwords, and add two-factor authentication for extra protection.

Example: Instead of 'Ali2008', you use a passphrase such as 'Lantern-Cactus-River-47!' stored in a password manager.

7.2.2Identify when and how to reset a password

  • Reset a password right away if you suspect someone knows it, after a data breach at that service, or after signing in on a device you do not trust.
  • Reset it if you receive an alert about a sign-in you did not make, or if you have forgotten it.
  • To change a known password: sign in, open account or security settings and choose Change password.
  • To reset a forgotten one: use the Forgot password link on the sign-in page; the service sends a code or link to your verified email or phone.
  • Only use reset links you requested yourself; an unexpected reset email may be phishing.
  • After a reset, sign out of other sessions if the service offers it, and choose a new password you have not used before.

Example: A website you use reports a data breach, so you open its security settings, change your password to a new unique one and sign out of all other devices.

7.2.3Identify when and how to lock a device

  • Lock your device whenever you step away, even for a moment, especially in shared or public places.
  • Shortcuts: Windows key+L on Windows; Control+Command+Q on a Mac; the side or power button on phones and tablets.
  • Set automatic screen lock after a short period of inactivity.
  • Unlock with a PIN, password, pattern, fingerprint or face recognition; avoid easy PINs such as 1234.
  • A locked device protects your data if it is left unattended; with find-my-device features you can also lock or erase a lost device remotely.

Example: Before leaving your desk for a coffee, you press Windows key+L so nobody can read your email while you are away.

7.2.4Explain how to clear saved browser settings

  • Browsers store history, cookies, cached files, saved passwords, autofill form data and site permissions.
  • Clear them from the browser's settings, usually under Privacy or History, with an option such as Clear browsing data; Ctrl+Shift+Delete opens it in many Windows browsers.
  • Choose what to clear and the time range, such as the last hour or all time.
  • Clearing cookies signs you out of most sites; clearing cache can fix pages that display wrongly.
  • Remove saved passwords and autofill data on shared or public computers, and sign out of accounts before leaving.
  • Reset settings restores the browser to its defaults if extensions or settings have been changed unexpectedly.

Example: After using a library computer to check your email, you sign out, then clear browsing history, cookies and saved form data for all time.

Key terms

Passphrase
A password made of several words, long and easy to remember.
Password manager
An app that creates and securely stores passwords.
Screen lock
A setting that hides the screen until you unlock it.
Cookie
A small file a website stores in your browser to remember you.
Cache
Stored copies of web page files that make sites load faster.

Easy to confuse

  • Thinking a short password full of symbols beats a long passphrase; length adds more strength.
  • Clicking a password reset link you did not request.
  • Leaving a device unlocked 'just for a minute'.
  • Clearing history but leaving saved passwords and cookies on a shared computer.

After this guide: You should be able to describe a secure password, know when and how to reset one, lock a device quickly and clear saved browser data.