HP Provantage F3F15UA#ABA manual Securing your computer and information, Using passwords

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8Securing your computer and information

Computer security is essential for protecting the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of your information. Standard security solutions provided by the Windows operating system, HP applications, the non-Windows Setup Utility (BIOS), and other third-party software can help protect your computer from a variety of risks, such as viruses, worms, and other types of malicious code.

IMPORTANT: Some security features listed in this chapter may not be available on your computer.

Computer risk	Security feature

Unauthorized use of the computer	Power-on password

Computer viruses	Antivirus software

Unauthorized access to data	Firewall software

Unauthorized access to Setup Utility (BIOS) settings and	Administrator password
other system identification information

Ongoing or future threats to the computer	Software updates

Unauthorized access to a Windows user account	User password

Unauthorized removal of the computer	Security cable lock

Using passwords

A password is a group of characters that you choose to secure your computer information and to protect online transactions. Several types of passwords can be set. For example, when you set up your computer for the first time, you were asked to create a user password to secure your computer. Additional passwords can be set in Windows or in the HP Setup Utility (BIOS) that is preinstalled on your computer.

You may find it helpful to use the same password for a Setup Utility (BIOS) feature and for a Windows security feature.

Use the following tips for creating and saving passwords:

●To reduce the risk of being locked out of the computer, record each password and store it in a secure place away from the computer. Do not store passwords in a file on the computer.

●When creating passwords, follow requirements set by the program.

●Change your passwords at least every three months.

●An ideal password is long and has letters, punctuation, symbols, and numbers.

●Before you send your computer for service, back up your files, delete confidential files, and then remove all password settings.

For additional information about Windows passwords, such as screen-saver passwords, from the Start screen, type HP Support Assistant, and then select the HP Support Assistant app.

48 Chapter 8 Securing your computer and information

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Contents User Guide Product notice Safety warning notice Iv Safety warning notice Table of contents Connecting to a local area network LAN Managing power Input power Operating environment Starting right Revert to the familiar Start screen select models onlyVisit the HP Apps Store select models only Best practicesFun things to do Resource Contents More HP resourcesStarting right Getting to know your computer Finding your hardware and software informationLocating hardware Locating softwareRight side Component DescriptionLeft side Display Top TouchPadLights Buttons Keys Fn keyBottom LabelsComponent Connecting to a network Connecting to a wireless networkUsing the wireless controls Using the wireless buttonUsing an Internet service provider Sharing data and drives and accessing softwareUsing a Wlan Protecting your Wlan Setting up a WlanConfiguring a wireless router Using Bluetooth wireless devices select models only Connecting to a WlanConnecting to a wired network Connecting to a local area network LANEnjoying entertainment features Multimedia featuresUsing the webcam Managing your audio and video files select models onlyUsing audio Using video Connecting video devices by using an Hdmi cableSetting up Hdmi audio Page Navigating the screen Using the TouchPadUsing TouchPad gestures Tapping ScrollingPinching/zooming Finger clickTop-edge swipe select models only Edge swipesRight-edge swipe Left-edge swipe Using touch screen gestures select models onlyOne-finger slide Tapping Scrolling Rotating select models only Top-edge swipe and bottom-edge swipe Using the action keys Using the keyboard and mouseUsing the keys Using Microsoft Windows shortcut keys Manually initiating and exiting Sleep Managing powerInitiating Sleep and Hibernation Setting password protection on wakeup Using the power meter and power settingsRunning on battery power Removing a user-replaceable battery Finding battery informationResolving a low battery level Conserving battery powerIdentifying low battery levels Running on external AC power Storing a user-replaceable batteryDisposing of a user-replaceable battery Replacing a user-replaceable batteryTroubleshooting power problems Shutting down turning off the computerPage Using Disk Defragmenter Using Disk CleanupMaintaining your computer Improving performanceCleaning your computer Cleaning proceduresCleaning the display All-in-Ones or Notebooks Updating programs and driversTraveling with or shipping your computer Cleaning the sides or coverCleaning the TouchPad, keyboard, or mouse Page Using passwords Securing your computer and informationSetting Setup Utility Bios passwords Using Internet security softwareSetting Windows passwords Installing software updates Using antivirus softwareUsing firewall software Installing critical security updatesBacking up your software applications and information Securing your wireless networkUsing an optional security cable lock Determining the Bios version Starting Setup Utility BiosUpdating the Bios Using HP PC Hardware Diagnostics Uefi Downloading a Bios updateDownloading HP PC Hardware Diagnostics Uefi to a USB device Diagnostic section, click HP Uefi Support EnvironmentCreating HP Recovery media Backing up, restoring, and recoveringCreating recovery media and backups Restore and recovery What you need to know Recovering using HP Recovery ManagerUsing the HP Recovery partition select models only Changing the computer boot order Removing the HP Recovery partitionUsing HP Recovery media to recover Specifications Input powerOperating environment Electrostatic Discharge Bios IndexJacks