Securing Your Computer 63
Passwords NOTE: Passwords are disabled when you receive your computer.
A primary (or system) 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.
NOTE: Some hard drives do not support hard drive passwords.
NOTICE: Passwords provide a high level of security for data in your computer or hard drive. However, they are not
foolproof. If you require more security, obtain and use additional forms of protection, such as smart cards, data
encryption programs, or PC Cards with encryption features.
When using passwords, observe the following guidelines:
• Choose passwords that you can remember, but not ones that are easy to guess. For example, do not use
the names of family members or pets for passwords.
• It is recommended that you do not write down passwords. If you do write it down, however, ensure that
the password is stored in a secure place.
• Do not share passwords with other people.
• Ensure that people are not watching you when you type your password(s).
NOTICE: Passwords provide a high level of security for data in your computer or hard drive. However, they are not
foolproof. If you require more security, obtain and use additional forms of protection, such as smart cards, data
encryption programs, or PC Cards with encryption features.
If you forget any of your passwords, contact Dell (see "Contacting Dell" on page128). For your
protection, Dell technical support staff will ask you for proof of your identity to ensure that only an
authorized person can use the computer.
1PC Card slot 2smart card 3smart-card slot
Type of Password Features
Primary (or system)
• Protects the computer from unauthorized access
Administrator
• Gives system administrators or service technicians
access to computers for repair or reconfiguration
• 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
Hard drive
• Helps protect the data on your hard drive or external
hard drive (if one is being used) from unauthorized
access