| Author |
Topic: Securing my Computer |
Sonny Jenkins
From:
Texas Masonic Retirement Center,,,Arlington Tx
|
Posted 7 Mar 2012 6:18 am |
|
| I've always been the only person with access to my computer,,but now I have a situation where someone else "may" have access. I know there is a way to password protect so that when it is booted up, it can't be accessed without a password. Can someone tell me how to set this up? Is it difficult,,,I'm not very computer savvy,,,,,, |
|
|
 |
Wiz Feinberg
From:
Mid-Michigan, USA
|
Posted 7 Mar 2012 7:51 am
|
|
Sonny;
Are you asking how to force a password to even boot the computer? That is done by entering the BIOS ("Setup") at boot time and finding the option to create a password to boot. Follow the instructions to create your boot password and save the changes. When you restart you will be presented with a password input box. Nobody can boot the PC any further without the correct password.
If you merely want to protect your own user account, for Windows computers, open Control Panel, go to Users and Passwords, click on your account name and follow the options to choose a password. Create and verify the password. Then, go the the "home" page of the Users and Passwords utility and check the box for Users must type a password to login. Save and exit.
Either of these options will prevent unskilled persons from logging into your PC.
Option two assumes there are no other user accounts established. When you boot up you will come to a Welcome screen where the account or accounts will be displayed. If you see more than your own user account listed, log into that other account and follow the same process to set a password on it. Save and exit.
_________________
"Wiz" Feinberg, Moderator SGF Computers Forum
Security Consultant
Twitter: @Wizcrafts
Main web pages: Wiztunes Steel Guitar website | Wiz's Security Blog | My Webmaster Services | Wiz's Security Blog |
|
|
|
Sonny Jenkins
From:
Texas Masonic Retirement Center,,,Arlington Tx
|
Posted 7 Mar 2012 8:53 am
|
|
| Hey thanks Wiz,,,,question,,,if I use the second option, create my password, turn my computer off,,,then when it is turned back on, a screen will come up where a password must be entered before the computer can be entered? I'm using win7 BTW |
|
|
|
Wiz Feinberg
From:
Mid-Michigan, USA
|
Posted 7 Mar 2012 9:06 am
|
|
| Sonny Jenkins wrote: |
| Hey thanks Wiz,,,,question,,,if I use the second option, create my password, turn my computer off,,,then when it is turned back on, a screen will come up where a password must be entered before the computer can be entered? I'm using win7 BTW |
That is correct. You will have to type your password in order to login again.
The first password option I listed prevents access to even the Welcome login screen, as well as the BIOS.
My solution to these new people in the house situations is to create a limited user account for others to use for browsing the Internet. They cannot install programs, browse the filesystem, or perform any administrative tasks. I leave them without passwords, so any friend or kid can just click on that name to get access to the limited account.
I make sure that those accounts do not have access to the Run As command either. Allowing that command would let someone with knowledge of the Admin password override my wishes and install stuff I don't want installed.
Trusted family or friends can even be granted their own password protected login. They could customize their own desktop. If you granted them Standard User status, they could install some types of programs, not requiring Admin credentials.
Use a different password for your Admin level account than your standard user account!
_________________
"Wiz" Feinberg, Moderator SGF Computers Forum
Security Consultant
Twitter: @Wizcrafts
Main web pages: Wiztunes Steel Guitar website | Wiz's Security Blog | My Webmaster Services | Wiz's Security Blog |
|
|
|
Sonny Jenkins
From:
Texas Masonic Retirement Center,,,Arlington Tx
|
Posted 7 Mar 2012 9:27 am
|
|
Thanks Wiz,,,I've done the second option. Really all I want is to be able to shut down, leave and know that no one can access my info while I'm away. I'm set up as administrator, there is no need to list any one else as "user" on MY computer,,,,I'm the only one I "allow" to use or have access to MY computer.
Thanks again,,,you're a real asset to the forum!! |
|
|
|
Wiz Feinberg
From:
Mid-Michigan, USA
|
Posted 7 Mar 2012 9:44 am
|
|
| Sonny Jenkins wrote: |
Thanks Wiz,,,I've done the second option. Really all I want is to be able to shut down, leave and know that no one can access my info while I'm away. I'm set up as administrator, there is no need to list any one else as "user" on MY computer,,,,I'm the only one I "allow" to use or have access to MY computer.
Thanks again,,,you're a real asset to the forum!! |
Glad to have been able to help U Sonny.
I don't recommend anybody operate any computer as Administrator. It is a horrible policy that will eventually bite you in the ass. Rather, you should learn to set-up separate Admin and User level accounts. Restrict the Admin account to purposes requiring full access to the OS. Use the Standard account to do your daily work and browsing.
Yes, you will be bothered with prompts to type your Admin password to install, upgrade, or uninstall programs and drivers, but this is for your own good. A Standard user can be tricked into installing a Trojan, by a cleverly worded installer. But, an Administrator account can allow a Trojan to install with no user interaction whatsoever.
_________________
"Wiz" Feinberg, Moderator SGF Computers Forum
Security Consultant
Twitter: @Wizcrafts
Main web pages: Wiztunes Steel Guitar website | Wiz's Security Blog | My Webmaster Services | Wiz's Security Blog |
|
|
|
Sonny Jenkins
From:
Texas Masonic Retirement Center,,,Arlington Tx
|
Posted 7 Mar 2012 11:25 am
|
|
?????? so,,,how would I set up a user account under the Admin account,,????
Also another question,,,this win7 screen saver is, I guess photojoy, used to rotate 3-4 pictures that are in my pictures folder,,and it also shows the day/date, in sort of a loose scrip on the screen,,,for some reason, since Monday,Feb 27, it has stopped rotating,,,and has not changed day/dates since then. Would you know anything about that? |
|
|
|
Wiz Feinberg
From:
Mid-Michigan, USA
|
Posted 7 Mar 2012 2:48 pm
|
|
| Sonny Jenkins wrote: |
| ?????? so,,,how would I set up a user account under the Admin account,,???? |
Since you are already in the Administrators Group, you can create a new account and make it an Administrator account. Open Control Panel (Start > Control Panel), then open User Accounts. There will be a link to create a new account. Use it to create an account with Administrator privileges. Assign a strong password that is not in the dictionary. Choose an icon for that account, save and exit.
Log off your current account and you'll come to the Welcome Screen. Click on the new account and type in the password. Once you reach the desktop and icons finish loading, that account is ready to use. This is going to be your new Administrator Group account. You'll only login to it to do things that are too tedious from a Standard account.
Now log off this new admin account and log back into your previous account. Open Control Panel > User Accounts > {your regular account name}. From your account name, click the link to change the Account Type. Change the radio button option from Administrator to Standard User. Save the change and exit Control Panel, then log off.
Log back into your usual account at the Welcome Screen. You are now operating as a Standard User. When you try to do something requiring Administrator credentials, a User Control box will appear asking for the Administrator account password. Type in that password and click Enter. You can then install, uninstall, update, run, or view the file linked to or setup program downloaded.
There are more details you will learn as you go. This is the safest way to operate on a daily basis. The hassle of typing in a password to do things that might modify settings is a safety net. I do it all the time, just like I have to do when I play with Linux and just like Mac users have to do.
If you need help adapting to being a Standard User, ask on this forum.
| Quote: |
Also another question,,,this win7 screen saver is, I guess photojoy, used to rotate 3-4 pictures that are in my pictures folder,,and it also shows the day/date, in sort of a loose scrip on the screen,,,for some reason, since Monday,Feb 27, it has stopped rotating,,,and has not changed day/dates since then. Would you know anything about that? |
No idea at all. That is a troubleshooting matter. Maybe someone else can help you.
_________________
"Wiz" Feinberg, Moderator SGF Computers Forum
Security Consultant
Twitter: @Wizcrafts
Main web pages: Wiztunes Steel Guitar website | Wiz's Security Blog | My Webmaster Services | Wiz's Security Blog |
|
|
|
