DELL NX046 User Manual

Securing Your Computer

Some hard drives do not support hard drive passwords. 

 

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).

If you forget any of your passwords, contact Dell (see "Contacting Dell" on 

page 295). For your protection, Dell technical support staff will ask you for 

proof of your identity to ensure that only an authorized person can use the 

computer.

If you leave your computer running and unattended without having a 

system password assigned, or if you leave your computer unlocked so that 

someone can disable the password by changing a jumper setting, anyone can 

access the data stored on your hard drive.

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