Dell D420 specifications Securing Your Computer, Security Cable Lock, Using Smart Cards, Passwords

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Securing Your Computer

Dell™ Latitude™ D420 User's Guide

Security Cable Lock

Using Smart Cards

Passwords

Trusted Platform Module (TPM)

Security Management Software

Computer Tracking Software

If Your Computer Is Lost or Stolen

NOTE: For information on how to secure your computer while traveling, see Traveling With Your Computer.

Security Cable Lock

NOTE: Your computer does not ship with a security cable lock.

A security cable lock is a commercially available antitheft device. To use the lock, attach it to the security cable slot on your Dell™ computer. For more information, see the instructions included with the device.

NOTICE: Before you buy an antitheft device, ensure that it will work with the security cable slot on your computer.

Using Smart Cards

NOTE: For information on how to secure your computer while traveling, see Traveling With Your Computer.

About Smart Cards

Smart cards are portable credit-card shaped devices with internal integrated circuits. The top surface of the smart card usually contains an embedded processor under the gold contact pad. The combination of the small size and integrated circuits make smart cards valuable tools for security, data storage, and special programs. 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. To install a smart card, see Installing a Smart Card or Secure Digital (SD) Card.

Passwords

NOTE: Passwords are disabled when you receive your computer.

A primary password, an administrator password, and a hard drive password all prevent unauthorized access to your computer in different ways. The following table identifies types and features of passwords available on your computer.

Type of Password Features

•Protects the computer from unauthorized access

Primary/System

	• Gives system administrators or service technicians access to computers for repair or reconfiguration
Administrator	• Allows you to restrict access to system setup in the same way a primary password restricts access to the computer
	•	Can be used instead of the primary password