Do you use a Windows login password?

Do you guys use a password for windows login?
I personally don't as I like to be able to power on my system, leave, and come back with the desktop loaded and ready to go.

 

Yes, for security reasons.

 

I don't. Only person using my pc's.

 

Nope. I'm the only one using it.

 

Always for security.

 

what do you mean by 'security'? is this for multi-user systems?
or does having a password benefit windows security in general?

 

Security as in no one else sees the information on your pc besides yourself.

 

I did. But seeing as how well... I am the only person who uses it, I realized it was a waste of bloody time.

 

I don't I will be using facial recognition on my sxps 13 when I receive it from dell though

 

I'm the only person who uses my computer, however I live with three other guys, and as much as I trust them, I still would rather they not fiddle around with my computer. Also, I have some important files on my computer, and not all of them are password protected. It's also a simple layer of protection in case my laptop gets stolen.

 

yea and it would probably get stolen by a petty thief who doesn't know diddly about computers so he wouldn't be able to get into windows

 

Exactly! <ninjatext>

 

yeah i can totally understand why you guys have passwords then
fortunately i dont have those worries as i mostly leave my computer at home anyways

 

I have a password on all my machines and encrypt my document files so no one can do anything to them. Even if no one in your house uses your computers, it's still an added security measure from the internet front.

 

I'm the only one who uses my computer, but I've started using a password to logon because my 4 y.o. daughter's already learning computers (in pre-school, no less!) and I figure that I better get into the habit now rather than later.

 

Yes. I dont want anyone touching my netbook w/o my permission .

(And so I can use LoginStudio skins with a reason ;D)

 

Yes, always have..and will continue to


Cin

 

i have a dilemma...
i want to use my fingerprint reader
but the software (currently disabled), requires me to set a windows password...

what should i do?

 

Set a password, of course.

 

I voted no, but I do when my facial recognition software doesn't work right.

So, I needed a "sometimes" option...or maybe I should have just voted yes...

 

haha i guess thats what i will do

i guess losing some convenience at startup is worth it for the convenience i'll gain for not having to type passwords in for anything else after that


edit: nvm, removed fingerprint reader - it only works with IE

 

Yes, i do. its 24 Characters, its random, and includes all kinds of things. i also use a bios password, and i pgp encrypt the disc. I have personal and financial data on my laptop, as its my only computer. it also travels with me, so A, i want to make it as hard as possible for a theif of opportunity to get anything out of having the notebook if its stolen, B, protect the data as much as i can and C, i like the peace of mind. i also ordered it with lojack installed. the one imbedded in the bios. and i use a laptop lock when i am away from home. i use a kensington microsaver, the retractable one that uses a key instead of the combo lock. i freaking HATE combo locks. i can never remember the lock.

lol i can remember a 24 character random password thats uber strength, but not a simple dang lock combo. *shakes head* cant explain it.


ev

 

The Windows password is just to stop kids and people around the house deleting things you are working on. It is not in any way shape or form a deterrent for thieves/hackers/law enforcement. Simple bypass methods can be found on loads of sites, such as Jaystech.com - anyone over 6 years old can do it.

Or someone in the house can just take out the HDD in about 20 seconds and copy the whole lot, then replace it. You won't even know someone has a whole image lying around.

Encrypting individual files is the best way to go (eg via TrueCrypt) or if you are really paranoid and have the cash, use whole disc encryption (like your employer probably has).

As to the fingerprint reader - even if a secondary password were only an option, you should set one anyway. The reader becomes temperamental after a few months (or at least it does on my Sager/Clevo) and is sometimes a pain to get in to quickly, depending on what soap you use to wash your hands

 

i always use the password for the windows because of the security.

password protects the computer so that no one cannot use it with out your permission.

its a good habbit to put the password at the windows log on screen.

 

I have the password mainly for networked security. I don't have it for system security. that means, I have one, but no logon-screen or lock-screen ever.

btw, for the one who thinks about facial recognition:
+) it's cool
-) it's stupid
-) it does not secure your system anymore than your username, it's only for identification, not authentication that you allow the access
-) it may be buggy. my fingerprint software one day refused system access. so my os refused letting me login. how fun is that to fix. happily it wasn't minutes before a gig, i would've been in huge troubles then.

 

i have a windows login password and my hard drive is encrypted with bitlocker and i have a pre-boot bios password.

i've experienced a stolen laptop firsthand and i vowed never to allow a thief an easy way with my laptop if ever they do so again

 

On my Medion I didn't... and nowadays - I don't know

On my Vaio I do, or rather my fingerprint (with the possibility to bypass using my password)
The reason for this is that I carry my laptop around a lot.

 

I'm the only person to use my notebook, but I have friends over sometimes, so yes, I use a login password.

Also, I have a BIOS password, a primary HDD password, and a secondary HDD password before that as well.

I only ever reboot like once a week at the very least, so, it doesn't annoy me as much.

 

I don't have a windows password because it has no security benefit (you can bypass it, format the HDD and use the stolen PC, remove the HDD and read the contents)
I'm also the only user on my PC. Don't understand why people think their PC gets more secure with a windows password.

Instead I use a BIOS password which I always have to enter after reboot/hibernation/standby.
I thought about activating HDD encryption in the BIOS but haven't done it yet. Maybe I'll do it in the future.

 

It's more secure when you have people over at your place, or you take your notebook to your office/college, and you don't want -

• People logging you out of Gmail/GTalk/MSN messenger/social networking websites to get their own updates.
• Anyone present nearby to peep into what you're downloading.
• Anyone to check your Outlook.
• Anyone to change any settings.
• Anyone to click on OK/YES/I AGREE without even taking a look at any prompts that a website/your system throws at them.
• Anyone to download z0mfg-make-money.exe.mp3

It's pretty annoying. I have a password protected Guest account, which I let them use. I've locked out all my folders and partitions which I don't want them to look into from this account as well (with the help of Permissions).

Which anyone with a screw-driver can bypass within 2 minutes!

 

ok, if you use a multiple account setup and let your PC running unattended then I understand why you use a windows password.

You talk about removing the RTC battery or shorting the BIOS jumper (if available)
Well I hope that this won't work, but haven't tried it yet.
At least here it hasn't worked, but maybe you know better how to help him.

The PW my PC has is also not really a BIOS password, more a pre-BIOS password, which is a dedicated system which also uses separate buttons to enter the PW (not the keyboard), but, again, I've never removed the RTC battery to see if it got reset.

 

bios passwords can be reset by removing battery normally, yes. but there are secure-components (my tablet has them, too), which obviously shouldn't be that easy to circumvent.

 

I have a password on the log in page and also on the safe mode log in page for the administrator account. I have it to prevent anyone from accessing my computer. Although I do have a restricted guest account enabled at all times.

 

I have a password on my computer, because I live in a dorm.
Around here, if you forget to logout when you leave the room who knows what you'll come back to.

 

Yes, even though I'm the only user on the computer, it makes me feel safer & deters others from using it (friends, family, roommates). Even though in the past it's been "password" or " " (spacebar), the password protected log-in screen deters the average user from getting in (plus, if someone wants to get in they'll get in, no matter how long & complicated the password is). And don't worry, I've increased my password security since then, now it's TWO spaces!

 

I use a bios password because most of my friends barely know how to use Microsoft word, let alone take apart my laptop and search for that tiny battery.

 

Yes, I use but now I have forgot my password becouse of FingerPrint reader

 

The only reason I have a password on my computer, is so I can rdp into it. What would I have to hide, that isn't already secure on my file server?

 

Laptop = fingerprint

Desktops = Password

Got kids. Need security.

 

That's a good point - but, what happens if your kids surpass your computer knowledge and learn how to bypass a password?

- passwords work with the non-tech savy though

 

Like, brute-force his finger-print?

 

If you can clone my hard drive, and break 4096 bit RSA encryption, with a seperate 4096bit RSA signing key, then i lose, but i doubt it. and i use pgp to encrypt important single files too.

The strong password is to deter less savvy people from making an attempt when i walk away after locking the screen.


ev

 

I live alone. So I have no need for a password.

 

Har-har! I chuckled.

Ahem!

To answer the OP's ?uestion, yes, (finger-print scan/password).

 

No, bypassing them.