Passwords

About 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

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

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).

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Securing Your Computer

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