Toubleshooting Password Issues
Computer users often depend on passwords and proper authentication to safeguard their information. You can set up your authentication rights on your e-mail client, your user profile on Windows, Internet connection, files and folders, applications and so on. These come under software security. You can also set passwords on physical attributes of your PC such as system BIOS.
BIOS Passwords
By setting up a password protected BIOS, you can prevent anyone from booting yourcomputer. Using an administrator password on your BIOS settings will prevent intruders from changing your BIOS settings including the boot password, thus not letting anyone hack or use your system while you are away. However, setting up BIOS password is a bit risky with technical help as fiddling with the settings may cause your system to malfunction. It is best to resort to technical expertise to protect your system.
Windows Logon
What do you do when you have many
users using a single computer system?
By setting up a Windows Login password, each user can safeguard their data and get access to certain rights. An administrator and a normal user will always have a difference in privileges. It is wise to protect the Administrator’s login as through this you can perform system upgrades, install software, or configure any new hardware. If your Administrator’s login is not protected, the hacker can easily achieve in retrieving all confidential data.
E-mail Client and Identities
If you are using Outlook or Outlook Express to send/receive your e-mail, any one can view your inbox if it is not password protected. You can set up your password through identity creation. An identity in Outlook/Outlook Express can prevent people from prying into your inbox as soon as you logon to your computer. Also, if you have to leave your system for a while you can log out from you inbox without having to close your e-mail client completely.
Encrypting Files
Some users also believe in encrypting their files. If you are one of those who store sensitive information on your portable PC such as notebooks, laptops etc; an encryption of your important file can make it hard for a hacker to steal away your information. Along with high security that comes as a natural advantage, encrypting files have certain disadvantages such as you may permanently loose access to files if you forget your password and your PC performance will slow down.
Wherever you set up your passwords on your PC, always remember to keep it safe and unknown. Make a strong password that cannot be guessed easily. Many users often use their birthdays, their anniversary dates, their pet’s or spouses names etc or a combination of these while setting up a new password. Such details can be easily guessed by an intruder anytime.
Also, if you have an existing password, take care of the following points:
- Check if your CAPS Lock is not ON while logging into your account
- Check your username and its spelling
- Ensure that your password has not expired (in some cases)
