locking your computer

LostFound


Joined: 03/08/2009
Posts: 387

Message Posted:
05/02/2010 12:34

Is it possible to lock your computer if you do not want anyone else to use it?

Denise


Joined: 14/03/2009
Posts: 590

Message Posted:
05/02/2010 12:45

yes you can put a password in so no one can access it. i think you can do this from the control panel under user accounts.

andrew4232



Joined: 04/07/2009
Posts: 1543

Message Posted:
05/02/2010 12:52

after you have setup your password you set up a guest account from the control panel other people can use it but dont have access to any of your files and options unless there like bill gates

HNComputers


Joined: 23/08/2009
Posts: 472

Message Posted:
05/02/2010 13:33

If u already have a password set up, all you have to do is press clrt+alt+del and choose lock my computer.

erolz


Joined: 17/11/2008
Posts: 3456

Message Posted:
05/02/2010 14:55

It depends what it is you are trying to prevent really but it should be noted that setting up different users with passwords within windows is not really a form of security. It would be relatively trivial to read files on such a computer without knowing either the username or password or having access to the 'insides' of the computer.



As ever the first line of security for a PC is physical access. If you do not want others using it, then do not let them get near it in the simplest sense. Put it in a room with a lock on the door and keep the key.



The next level of security would be to put a password within the BIOS. This would provide much greater security than a windows username / password combination, but even this is not secure in that the BIOS could be reset if a person has physical access and can open the PC case, which is why some PC's have locks on the case itself.

LostFound


Joined: 03/08/2009
Posts: 387

Message Posted:
05/02/2010 21:38

I dont have any password set on my pc... How do I set up a password in the first place?









sorry whats BIOS. Can you explain in simple terms

LostFound


Joined: 03/08/2009
Posts: 387

Message Posted:
05/02/2010 21:39

Control Alt Delete I only use for closing down my computer when it freezes

AlsancakJack



Joined: 14/08/2008
Posts: 5762

Message Posted:
05/02/2010 21:50

LostFound



Bios is a low level operating system that performs checks on turn on to make sure that the computer is ok (Disk Drives, memory etc) before allowing the main operating system to load up.



You can find more info here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BIOS

AJ

letty


Joined: 04/12/2008
Posts: 360

Message Posted:
05/02/2010 21:53

Instead of downloading it from the internet you could just go to ilkay dvd shop and buy it very cheaply in there from the selection he has at the top of the spiral staircase. then hide the dvds under your bed. so you wont have to worry about your passwords and what not on your computer.

erolz


Joined: 17/11/2008
Posts: 3456

Message Posted:
05/02/2010 22:53

To create a windows user password if using windows XP



1. Open User Accounts in Control Panel.



2. Click your account name.



3. Click Create a password.



4. In Type a new password and Type the new password again to confirm, type the password for your account.



You can also enter descriptive or meaningful text in Type a word or phrase to use as a password hint to help you remember your password.



5. Click Create Password.



This creates a basic level of security, in that when windows starts up it will require you enter the password before continuning and if you do not enter it windows will not start up. It is limited as security in that with the use of an alternative boot CD, floopy disk or even USB memory stick the machine could be started using an entierly different operating system without the password and the person doing this would then have access to your files.

LostFound


Joined: 03/08/2009
Posts: 387

Message Posted:
06/02/2010 12:18

thanks for your time erolz