Step 5: Secure Your Accounts

To prevent someone from gaining access to your computer, physically or through the network, each user account MUST have a strong password. Accounts with weak or nonexistent passwords are an invitation for malicious attackers to compromise your system.

Set Passwords for User Accounts

To prevent someone from gaining access to your computer, physically or through the network, each user account MUST have a strong password.

1. Select Start > Control Panel.
2. In the left panel, click Classic View.
3. In the Control Panel window, double-click User Accounts.
4. In the User Accounts window, click Manage another account. If the User Account Control window appears, click Continue.
5. A password protected account will have Password protected listed under account type.
   
   Add a password to accounts that need one by double-clicking the account.
6. Select Create a password.
7. In the Create Password window:
   • In the New password field enter a password.
   • Retype the password in the Confirm new password field.
     Note: For tips on selecting a strong password, read Managing Your Andrew Password.
8. Click Create password to save your changes.

Delete Unused Accounts

To delete any unused accounts, follow these steps:

1. Select Start > Control Panel.
2. In the left panel, click Classic View.
3. In the Control Panel window, double-click User Accounts.
4. In the User Accounts window, click Manage another account.
   
   If the User Account Control window appears, click Continue. A list of user accounts will appear.
5. Double-click the account you want to remove and choose Delete the account.

Create a Strong Administrator Password

To verify that a strong password is set for the Administrator account, follow these steps:

1. Login to the computer using the Administrator userid and password.
2. Select Start > Control Panel.
3. In the left panel, click Classic View.
4. In the Control Panel window, double-click User Accounts.
5. In the User Accounts window, click Change your password.
6. In the Change your password window, enter your current password and a new password.
   Note: For tips on selecting a strong password, read Managing Your Andrew Password.
7. Click the Change password to save your changes.

Step 6: Enable a Screen Saver Password