Re: PASSWORDS
- From: Malke <notreally@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Wed, 21 Nov 2007 05:40:11 -0800
Trace wrote:
Hi,
I'm tring to stop my teenage daughter setting up new accounts on my computer, so she can't keep making herself an administator and going on websites that I've "blocked."
Can I put a password on the computer before anyone logs on?
If anyone out there knows, can they e-mail me in detail about how I go about this.
I'm a parent tearing my hair out.....as she keeps putting me on a "limited account" and changing my password!
Any computer running any operating system can be accessed by someone with 1) physical access; 2) time; 3) skill; 4) tools. There are a few things you can do to make it a bit harder though:
1. Set a password in the BIOS that must be entered before booting the operating system. Also set the Supervisor password in the BIOS so BIOS Setup can't be entered without it. Keep the password you assign secret, but don't forget it!
2. From the BIOS, change the boot order to hard drive first.
Accessing the BIOS
http://michaelstevenstech.com/bios_manufacturer.htm
http://www.uktsupport.co.uk/reference/biosp.htm
http://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch000235.htm
3. Set strong passwords on all accounts, including the built-in Administrator account.
4. If you leave your own account logged in, use the Windows Key + L to lock the computer (and/or set the screensaver/power saving) when you step away from the computer and require a password to resume.
5. Make other users Limited accounts in XP Home, regular user accounts in XP Pro.
6. Set user permissions/restrictions:
a. If you have XP Pro, you can set user permissions/restrictions with Group Policy (Start>Run>gpedit.msc [enter]) but be careful. Using the Policy Editor can be tricksy. Questions about Group Policy should be posted in its newsgroup: microsoft.public.windows.group_policy.
b. If you have XP Home, you can use MVP Doug Knox's Security Console or the MS Steady State.
http://www.dougknox.com
Steady State - http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/winfamily/sharedaccess/default.mspx
If you find that doing the above is too difficult (and there is no shame in admitting this isn't your cup of tea), have a local computer professional come on-site and set you up properly. This will not be someone from BigComputerStore/GeekSquad. Get recommendations from friends, family, colleagues.
Please understand that these are technical responses to what is basically a non-technical problem and there are ways around all of these precautions. This is a family/interpersonal issue that can't be solved by technical means.
Malke
--
Elephant Boy Computers
www.elephantboycomputers.com
"Don't Panic!"
MS-MVP Windows - Shell/User
.
- Prev by Date: Re: log on
- Next by Date: Re: Getting into old Documents & Settings from a new OS
- Previous by thread: Re: log on
- Next by thread: Re: PASSWORDS
- Index(es):
Relevant Pages
|
|
