Protecting Your Computer—Using Administrator
Rights, User Groups, and Passwords
The Microsoft® Windows® operating system has security features such as administrator passwords and user passwords that let you control access to your computer and the information stored on your computer.
Administrator Rights
An administrator can make system-wide changes to the computer, change security settings, install software, and access all files on the computer. A person with a computer administrator account has full access to other user accounts on the computer.
EXAMPLE: If more than one person in your office uses the same computer, administrator rights allow you to ensure that security and other computer settings remain the same and that confidential data is not accessed.
EXAMPLE: If several family members, including children, share a home computer, you can, as administrator, limit the information your children have access to and the programs they can install.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: To learn more about administrator rights, see Windows Help and Support: click Startor ® Help and Support.
Setting Access Permissions on Folders or Files
Log in to your computer as administrator.
Locate the folder or file for which you want to set permissions and right-
click on it.
Click Properties® Security.
In the Security tab, add a group/user or change or remove permissions
from an existing group.
User Groups
As an administrator, you can restrict a user's access to your computer by changing that user's group to a restricted user group.
A user who is part of the restricted user group can operate the computer and save documents, but cannot install programs or change system settings.
EXAMPLE: If more than one person in your office shares a computer, each user can be assigned her own account with user permissions.
EXAMPLE: If several family members share a home computer, each person can be assigned to his own account, with restrictions placed on the information each user can access.
Changing a User Account or Group
To assign a user to a group or change a user's group, log in as administrator and access User Account through the Control Panel.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: To learn more about assigning users to groups, see Windows Help and Support: click Startor ® Help and Support.
NOTE: Some operating systems allow you to choose which hours your children can use the computer by setting the hours allowed for each day of the week and blocking all the rest. You can also view activity reports to see how much each person uses the computer. To see if your operating system includes a parental control device, check the folders or links on your Control Panel, or search Windows Help and Support on your computer.
Passwords
Anyone can log on to your computer and access your files unless it is protected by a password. If you are logged on to your computer as an administrator, you can create a password for any user account.
Passwords can be used to protect your computer in a variety of ways and levels of protection. You can apply passwords to files, as well as to your computer.
Passwords with at least a 10-character combination that includes alphabetic, numeric, and special characters adds a level of security to your computer.
Using Secure Passwords
A secure password is an important way to protect your computer from unauthorized users who may install malicious software or access confidential files from your computer. The stronger your password, the more likely it will prevent your computer from attacks.
A strong password:
Contains both uppercase and lowercase letters
Contains a combination of numbers, words, and/or symbols
Is changed on a regular basis
FOR MORE INFORMATION: To learn more about creating secure passwords, see Windows Help and Support: click Startor ® Help and Support.
Smart Cards
NOTE: The smart card feature may not be available on your computer.
Smart cards are laptop credit-card shaped devices with internal integrated circuits. Using smart cards can improve system security by combining something a user has (the smart card) with something only the user should know (a PIN) to provide more secure user-authentication than passwords alone. There are two main types of Smart Cards:
Contact Smart Cards — These cards have a contact area with many gold plated connection pads. When inserted into a card reader, the information from the chip can be read and written.
Contactless Smart Cards — These cards do not require any physical contact with the reader. The chip communicates with the card reader through RFID induction technology. These cards require only close proximity to an antenna of a card reader to complete transaction.
Fingerprint Readers
NOTE: The fingerprint reader may not be available on your computer.
A fingerprint reader is a peripheral device for your computer with a strip sensor. When you slide your finger over the reader, the reader uses your unique fingerprint to authenticate your user identity and helps keep your Dell computer secure.
Facial Recognition Software
NOTE: The facial recognition software may not be available on your computer.
Using a digital image from the camera in your computer, the facial recognition software can identify or verify your face. This is done by comparing select facial features from the image and a facial database. On verification of your identity, the software allows you to access your computer without entering the password.
Using a Firewall to Secure Your Computer
Use a firewall to secure your computer from non-authorized users (hackers) or from malicious programs, such as viruses or worms. Firewalls also help to prevent your computer from spreading malicious programs to other computers.
Turning On Windows Firewall
For Windows Vista®
Click Start ® Control Panel®Security®Windows Firewall.
For Windows® XP
Click Start® Control Panel®Security Center®Windows Firewall.
Turn the Windows Firewall on or off. If you are prompted for an
administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide
confirmation.
Click On (recommended), and then click OK.
HINT: You must be logged on to this computer as an administrator to turn on Windows Firewall.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: To learn more about firewalls, see "Windows Firewall: recommended links" in Windows Help and Support: click Startor ® Help and Support. Also, see Firewalls.
Encrypting Files and Folders
Encryption is an additional method you can use to protect your files and folders. Encrypted files and folders can only be viewed or accessed by users with proper permissions.
Right-click the folder or file you want to encrypt, and then click Properties.
On the General tab, click Advanced.
Select the Encrypt contents to secure data check box, and then click OK.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: To learn more about encryption, see "Encryption: recommended links" in Windows Help and Support: click Startor ® Help and Support.
Using Antivirus Software
By using an antivirus software program, you can protect your computer from computer viruses. Computer viruses can infect your computer, damage your files, make your computer vulnerable to additional attacks, and cause your computer to spread viruses to other computers. Computer viruses can be sent through e-mail or through downloaded programs.
For a list of compatible antivirus software programs, visit the Microsoft Catalog at the Microsoft website (microsoft.com).
Maintaining Security When Using a Public
Wireless Network
Generally, two types of security are used for public wireless network:
Security-enabled — A security-enabled connections offers some protection for your computer and the information it contains.
Unsecured — An unsecured network leaves your computer vulnerable to attacks or other security risks.
As a rule of thumb, you should avoid using unsecured public wireless network.
You will know if the wireless public network that you select is secure if a network key is requested. If the network you choose is security-enabled, one of the following occurs:
If the network key is automatically provided by your system administrator, the connection is made automatically.
If the network key is not automatically provided, obtain the key and type it in the network key data box.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: To learn more about using public wireless networks, see the following topics in Windows Help and Support: click Startor ® Help and Support.
To find a public wireless network location
Manually add a wireless network to the Preferred Networks list
Connect to an available wireless network
To determine if your computer has a firewall
Help protect your computer
Reducing the Risk of Getting Computer Viruses
Install an antivirus program
Avoid opening suspicious e-mails or e-mail attachments
Update Windows on a regular basis
Use a firewall
FOR MORE INFORMATION: To learn more about viruses and how to protect against them, see the following topics in Windows Help and Support: click Startor ® Help and Support.
How do I remove a computer virus?
How can I tell if my computer has a virus?
Dealing With Cookies
Cookies are used by websites to personalize your viewing experience. For instance, a cookie can save your password information so that you only have to enter it the first time you visit a website.
However, some cookies may use this personal information for other reasons, putting your privacy at risk.
Click the Tools menu, and then click Internet Options.
Click the Privacy tab, and then, under Settings, move the slide bar to the
desired security setting, and then click OK.
HINT: Blocking cookies might prevent some web pages from displaying correctly. Some websites store your member name, password, or other information about you in a cookie. If you delete that cookie, you may have to enter your personal information again the next time you visit the site.
Avoiding Spyware and Malware
Spyware and malware are types of computer programs that can potentially harm your computer and make the information it contains vulnerable to security risks. There are many ways to prevent spyware and malware from infecting your computer. For example, you can use anti-virus software to secure, check, and/or clean up your computer from these forms of malicious software.
For a list of compatible anti-spyware and anti-malware software programs, visit the Microsoft Catalog at the Microsoft website (microsoft.com).
FOR MORE INFORMATION: To learn more about spyware and malware, see Spyware and Malware. Also, see the following topics in Windows Help and Support: click Startor ® Help and Support
Remove spyware from your computer
Using anti-malware software to help protect your computer
