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Can I protect my PC so no one can log on without a password?

I have at home computer that I use for standard purposes, but also keep a journal and important personal information on it. Is there a way that I can protect my computer so no one can log on without a password? I once went into the BIOS setup and created a password so that the computer didn?t boot up until the password was entered in correctly, but I have forgotten how to do this. If you know how I could do that again, I would love to set it back up. Also, would setting up a password in that fashion be bad for my computer in any way? I would also like to learn how to password encrypt files that are burnt to a CD. Can you help with that as well?
You don't say what os you are running. Are you running Windows 98, Windows 95, Windows Millenium or some other OS that does not require a password? If you are using Windows NT, XP, 2000 or 2003, they do require a password, unless someone has set them to autologon. To remove auto logon set the autoadminlogon value to 1 at the location HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon.

Setting a BIOS password requires that you enter the BIOS setup program. This is usually done by clicking some key before the operating system boots. Perhaps you have seen the message "press F2 to enter setup" appear on your screen. Once you have entered setup there is usually a property page or section where you can set the password. The location is dependent on the BIOS used for the computer. There should be instructions in the documentation that came with your computer. If not, visit the BIOS web site.

You should realize, however, that there are many ways around this including bios password crackers, known backdoors and so forth (See http://www.pwcrack.com/bios.shtml. This site also provides site links for major BIOS manufactures). More information on bypassing bios password is available at http://labmice.techtarget.com/articles/BIOS_hack.htm.

To encrypt files before placing them on a CD-ROM requires some encryption software. Or Windows XP, 2000 or 2003. You can use EFS to do so, then transfer the files. However, whatever encyption software you use, please read up on how to protet the password, or keys that protect the encryption. If you lose them, you will not be able to access your files.

This was first published in February 2004

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