• Secure Computing
• For Personal Computer Users
• Password Security Tips
• How to set passwords on your computer

Secure Computing: Password Security Tips

How to set passwords on your computer

Many people at Stanford have neglected to set a basic account name and password for their computer. We're not referring to your SUNet ID password, but to the password that gives you, and only you, access to your computer. Without such a password, just about anyone can get into your computer by sitting down at the keyboard. They can even get in remotely, via the Internet. Here's how to set passwords on the types of computers most common at Stanford:

Windows 2000

1. Hit Ctrl - Alt - Delete
   (Press the Ctrl and Alt keys and, while still holding them down, press the Delete key.)
2. Left click on Change Password.
3. Make a note of whatever shows up in the User name Field. This is the name you will use in combination with your password.
4. Type whatever password you have chosen into the New Password field.
5. Type this password again in the Confirm New Password field.
6. Click OK.

Windows NT

1. Hit Ctrl - Alt - Delete
   (Press the Ctrl and Alt keys and, while still holding them down, press the Delete key.)
2. Left click on Change Password.
3. Make a note of whatever shows up in the User name Field. This is the name you will use in combination with your password.
4. Type whatever password you have chosen into the New Password field.
5. Type this password again in the Confirm New Password field.
6. Click OK.

Windows XP Pro

The installation procedures for Windows XP are such that, in addition to accidentally not setting a password, you can also accidentally set a password of BLANK (i.e., nothing) as an administrative password. This is bad. To check for this, take the following steps before you try setting a password.

Checking the Administrator password

1. Turn on the computer and click Username in the logon box.
2. Press Ctrl - Alt + Delete twice.
3. Under User name, type Administrator.
4. Leave Password blank.
5. Click OK.If the system lets you in, you're in trouble: you've set "nothing", a blank field, as your administrator password.
   
   

You must set a new administrator password. Follow the steps below.
If the system does not let you in, then you have already set an administrator password. Don't forget it, because it won't be displayed for you.

Setting the Administrator password

1. In the Log onto Windows box, log in as Administrator. (Enter "administrator" as your user name, enter your administrator password, and click OK.)
2. Right click on My Computer.
3. Select Manage.
4. Under Computer Management (Local), open the Local Users and Groups folder.
5. Select Users.
6. In the window on the right, select Administrator.
7. Right click on Administrator.
8. Select Set Password
9. Read the text in the Set Password for Administrator box. Click Proceed.
10. Type your new password.
11. Type this password again in the confirm field.
12. Click OK.

Mac OS X

You can set a new password for any registered user of your computer if your computer is set for automatic login for that person, if you know the person's current password, or if you are logged in as the administrator:

1. From the Apple Menu or the Dock, open System Preferences.
2. Under the System heading, open the Users preferences.
3. Select the name of the person whose password you want to change and click Edit User.
4. At the top of the edit window, select the Password tab.
5. In the Password box, delete the current password (concealed as bullet characters) and type in the new password.
6. Repeat step 5 in the Verify box.
7. Change the reminder phrase in the Password Hint box (optional).