TRICKS2: » Windows Vista Security

Change Windows Vista Password

admin — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 16:52:06 +0000

Most users will be required to log on to Windows Vista with a password each time they start their PC, allowing many different users to each have a unique login username and storage area.

If you wish to change your username at some point, go to the control panel by clicking the Start Menu and then Control Panel:

Then click User Accounts and Family Safety:

Then select Change your Windows password:

Then click Change your password:

Now, enter your old password, followed by your new password (twice) and then click Change Password:

Disable User Access Control in Windows Vista

admin — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 16:36:33 +0000

Windows Vista introduced the User Access Control (UAC) feature to improve security for the end user, however if you are an experienced power-user it is quite likely that you find UAC extremely annoying.

Fortunately, disabling it is very straight forward (although I would not recommend doing this unless you are aware of the consequences).

First, load the MS config utility by typing “msconfig” in the run box (Press WINDOWS KEY + R to access this) then click OK:

Once MSConfig is loaded, click on the Tools menu then select Disable UAC in the menu then click OK:

This will then run a script to disable UAC, which requires a restart to complete. If you wish to re-enable UAC, simply repeat the above steps but click Enable UAC instead.

Windows Vista Password Expired

admin — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 16:28:28 +0000

You may find when using some editions of Windows Vista that your password expires and you are required to change it. This problem will keep re-occurring until you change your account profile to prevent password expiration.

To do this, start lusrmgr.msc from the run box (Press WINDOWS KEY + R to access this):

Once the Local User Manager has loaded, click Users in the left column and then double click your username in the main window:

Now, tick the Password Never Expires box followed by OK:

In future, you password will not expire. Allowing you to log on without needed to change your password again.

Lock Windows Vista from Shortcut Icon

admin — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 15:59:17 +0000

Locking Windows Vista is a good way to secure your PC when you leave your computer for a while (especially in an office environment). Normally you can lock Vista by clicking on the padlock icon on the start menu or by pressing WINDOWS KEY + L. However, you can easily add an icon to the desktop to perform this same task.

First, right click on the desktop and select New then Shortcut:

Now, enter “rundll32.exe user32.dll, LockWorkStation” into the text box then click Next:

You can then enter a title for the icon and click Finish:

Your icon will now be placed on the desktop, and double clicking it will lock your PC:

Password Protect Folder in Windows Vista

admin — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 15:46:56 +0000

Although Vista allows you to encrypt files and folders using the Windows file security system. However if you wish to protect your files, you will need to have a Business or Ultimate edition of Vista. You will not be prompted for a password each time you access the file, only when you log on to your user account. This user account has the decryption key associated with it, allowing you access to the data.

To begin, right click the folder you wish to encrypt and select Properties:

Then, click the Advanced button:

Now tick Encrypt Contents to Secure Data and then click OK:

If you encrypted a folder you will be asked if you wish to also secure the files/sub-folders within this. To do this, ensure Apply Changes to this folder, subfolders and files is selected and click OK

You have now successfully encrypted your files. If this is the first time you have done this you may be prompted to backup the security key used to decrypt the files. If you do not back this up you will not be able to access your files if the key is lost or damaged on your PC.

Windows Vista Automatic Windows Logon

admin — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 15:26:53 +0000

If you are the sole user of your computer it may be that you don’t wish to log on with a password each time you turn your PC on. Although this could be a security risk if other people have access, plenty of people did this before Vista.

To disable the log on screen, run netplwiz from the command line to enter the User Accounts dialog box. Click on the username you wish to automatically log on to Windows and then untick the “users must enter a username and password to use this computer” box.

You will then be prompted to enter the password of this user twice, allowing Vista to confirm the password and bypass the logon screen in future.