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One way that information is stolen from computers is by people physically
accessing your computer while you are not there. This is not done by someone
hacking into your computer over the Internet, but by someone who has physical
access to your computer. Someone who can turn on your computer and log in.
Requiring Usernames and Password at Start-up
Windows XP Professional, Windows Vista (Ultimate and Enterprise),
and Mac OS X operating systems all support user accounts with passwords.
If your Windows computer is a member of the Kiewit domain, your computer
already requires you to enter your domain username and
password when you start the computer. If your Windows computer
is not a member of this domain, you can still set your computer to require a
password.
- On Windows XP Professional and Windows Vista, click Start,
Control Panel, then double-click User
Accounts. To add or change your password, select Change
an exiting account.
- If your Windows XP Professional or Windows Vista computer is not a member
of the Kiewit domain, you should also disable Guest access. On
Windows Vista, click Start, Settings,
Control Panel, double-click on Administrative
Tools, then on Computer Management. Confirm your
action in the Permission to Continue dialog box by clicking
Continue. Next, click on the pointer in front
of Local Users and Groups, then select the
Users folder. Finally, right-click on the
Guest account, select Properties, and make
certain that a checkmark precedes Account is Disabled. On
Windows XP Professional, click Start,
Settings, Control Panel, then double-click
User Accounts. Under Pick an Account to
Change, verify that the Guest account is
Disabled. If it is not, double-click on the
Guest account icon, and select Turn off the Guest
Account.
- On Mac OS X, select System Preferences, then
Security. Check Disable automatic login. Or,
you can select System Preferences,then
Accounts, then click on Login Options. Make
sure Automatically log in as: is not
checked.
Locking Your Computer and Waking From Sleep
A quick way to prevent physical access to your computer when you walk
away from it is to lock it or to put it to sleep. You can leave all your files
open when relying on this method. When you unlock it or wake it up, you will be
back where you were when you left the computer.
- Windows XP Professional and Windows Vista, press
[Ctrl+Alt+Delete], then click Lock Computer.
With the Windows XP or Vista lock, anyone walking up to your computer will need
to enter the password for your login.
- On Mac OS X, select System Preferences from the
Apple menu, then Desktop &
Screen. Click on the Screen Saver tab.
Select the screen saver you like. You can also specify the number of minutes of
inactivity before the screen saver starts. To require a password when the
computer awakes, select System Preferences, then
Security. Check the setting for Require password to
wake this computer from sleep or screen saver. When you leave your
computer, you can select Sleep from the Apple
menu. Anyone waking up your computer will need to enter the password for your
login.
When You Are Away for An Extended Period of Time
If you are going to be away from your computer for an extended period of
time (e.g., overnight, over a weekend, on vacation, etc.), you will probably
log out or shut down your computer. If you followed the recommendations
above for requiring a username and password at startup, your computer is
protected from physical access.
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