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Password Protection for laptop?

Jennifer_Jane
Jennifer_Jane Posts: 3,237 Forumite
Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Photogenic Combo Breaker
in Techie Stuff
I am so sorry if this has been asked a million times, but I have searched and cannot find anything.

My neighbour was burgled today, sadly, and her laptop stolen. My question is, is it possible to password-protect my laptop - or just MicroSoft Works spreadsheets (or both)?

Also, I have a usb pendrive, is it possible to password-protect that too, please?

Thanks in advance.
Jen

Comments

  • mjr600
    mjr600 Posts: 760 Forumite
    Windows has a built in password which you can use but tbh it can be broken with 1/2hrs work by someone with a little PC experience.
  • Aiadi
    Aiadi Posts: 1,840 Forumite
    Use TrueCrypt to store all your sensitive files and documents on both your laptop and your USB drive. It is simply the best:

    http://www.truecrypt.org/

    If you have any questions about it then just ask and loads of people here would be happy to help I am sure like they did when I first started using it.
    Do I want it? ......Do I need it? ......What would happen if I don't buy it??????
  • GoofyGAT
    GoofyGAT Posts: 1,835 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Yep, you can't beat TrueCrpyt - forum search to see other people's discussion/opinion of it. G
  • Jennifer_Jane
    Jennifer_Jane Posts: 3,237 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Photogenic Combo Breaker
    Wonderful - thanks for your replies.
    Jen x
  • amcluesent
    amcluesent Posts: 9,425 Forumite
    Obviously for TrueCrypt use a passphrase you can recall, a word from the dictionary isn't secure.
  • BillScarab
    BillScarab Posts: 6,027 Forumite
    You can usually add a BIOS password which will be harder for someone to break. You will then have to enter a password before the PC loads windows. However if you forget it, you may have difficulty getting past it.
    It's my problem, it's my problem
    If I feel the need to hide
    And it's my problem if I have no friends
    And feel I want to die


  • Aiadi
    Aiadi Posts: 1,840 Forumite
    BillScarab wrote: »
    You can usually add a BIOS password which will be harder for someone to break. You will then have to enter a password before the PC loads windows. However if you forget it, you may have difficulty getting past it.
    Quite easy to by-pass:
    http://www.wikihow.com/Break-a-BIOS-Password
    Do I want it? ......Do I need it? ......What would happen if I don't buy it??????
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