Help with passwords?

[Sark79]

I was wondering how I install a password onto my laptop.  By that I mean,  when I switch on my laptop,  how do I make it so I have to enter a password to get access?     I leave my laptop switched on and want to make sure I am the only person who can use it .  I also want to be the only person who can gain access to it when it is initially switched on.   Is this possible?

thanks

[amcgrath1uk]

control pad.. user accounts.. set a password

[roverthtaeh]

Tip: don't use 'S A R K' as your password.

[amcgrath1uk]

Tip: don't use 'S A R K' as your password.

rofl

[Sark79]

ok,  thanks mate.  I had no idea it was that simple,  I thought I would need to download something or buy a security gadget. Computers are still a mystery to me


lol,  Rover.  I have a perfect password lined up that is almost impossible to guess.  Even the guy from Heroes couldn't work this one out

[Ironside]

lol,  Rover.  I have a perfect password lined up that is almost impossible to guess.  Even the guy from Heroes couldn't work this one out

penguinpoker?

[Sark79]

Yes, you are correct.  How is that possible?   

[Ironside]

cause i got a webcam pointed straight at your keyboard

[Sark79]

lol   


Are passwords 100% secure?    I have heard of people forgetting them and then being able to get back in. 

[KeithyB]

penguinpoker??

Damn....will need to change mine too now!!    

hmmmm......SavageHorse25  it shall be!  

[roverthtaeh]

lol   


Are passwords 100% secure?    I have heard of people forgetting them and then being able to get back in. 

Did that with my front door key once.
Probably not 100% secure.

[amcgrath1uk]

there's always ways round it, ie entering through safe mode... but its pretty secure... never had probs with mine

[Sark79]

..SavageHorse25 

I went for SavageHorse27    .   


I think it is possible to guess most passwords if you know the person well enough.  I think the best passwords are something completely unconnected with that person.  For example,  I hate Ballet dancing and Opera, etc.  So I would choose the name of a Ballet or Opera character.  It would not be a really famous opera performer,  I would search for a journeyman opera singer who had performed in a few operas, but wasn't a big star.  Nobody would think to themselves  " I bet Lewis' password is the name of a ballet dancer or opera performer".  They would automatically think it was a sports person and go down that route because the people who know me would also know my brain is sport orientated most of the time.

I haven't selected a ballet dancer or opera person by the way  .  I have the entire cast of the Sound of Music or some other crappy dancing/singing film to select from.

[lazaroonie]

IF you do use windows XP and have a specific user name to login eg "Sark" - make sure that you either disable the default administrator account, or password protect that too.

I have lost count the number of pcs I have gone to at the logon screen, press ctrl-alt-delete, type in administrator as the username and with no password, get access to the machine. And these people thought their machines were secure !!!

[Sark79]

IF you do use windows XP and have a specific user name to login eg "Sark" - make sure that you either disable the default administrator account, or password protect that too.

I have lost count the number of pcs I have gone to at the logon screen, press ctrl-alt-delete, type in administrator as the username and with no password, get access to the machine. And these people thought their machines were secure !!!

ok,  ty for that mate.  I will be careful of that.