Do you "lock" computers in your home?
-
- Posts: 10837
- Joined: Thu Oct 15, 2015 3:53 pm
Do you "lock" computers in your home?
I know that it is unlikely that someone will break in and steal my 2 laptops (1 Chromebook, 1 Windows). However, I wonder how bad the effects would/could be if they do. I don't lock them because I jump on and off of them at least 20 times a day and it is a hassle to unlock them. I have Quicken (with all my financial accounts/account numbers), tax returns and other normal records (copies of marriage certificate, birth certificate, SSN card, passports,etc.) on the laptops.
I am wondering if people lock their computers all the time when not using them at home or use some other method to avoid theft of data or just don't worry about it. I make a concerted effort to lock them when traveling and leaving them in a hotel room or something like that.
I am wondering if people lock their computers all the time when not using them at home or use some other method to avoid theft of data or just don't worry about it. I make a concerted effort to lock them when traveling and leaving them in a hotel room or something like that.
Re: Do you "lock" computers in your home?
I'm not sure what you mean by "lock." If you mean, do I have to type a password again if I leave my computer unused for a few minutes, then Yes. But my display opens up exactly where I left off. This is just like my cell phone which needs a password if I haven't used it for few minutes. Entering a password on these devices is trivial (if you know the password).
If you mean, do I power them down and turn them off, then no, I don't do that.
I generally don't keep sensitive info on my phone nor on my laptop.
If you mean, do I power them down and turn them off, then no, I don't do that.
I generally don't keep sensitive info on my phone nor on my laptop.
-
- Posts: 8912
- Joined: Thu Feb 25, 2016 6:11 pm
Re: Do you "lock" computers in your home?
My PC requires that the password be entered to access it even at home. I don’t sign out while at home but it will lock after a certain amount of time. Minor issue to have to type the password in.
Cheers
Cheers
-
- Posts: 10837
- Joined: Thu Oct 15, 2015 3:53 pm
Re: Do you "lock" computers in your home?
Yes, that's what I mean. You aren't logging out completely, just locking it. It sounds like you are using a screensaver lock based on time. You can do it manually too. On a Chromebook you hold the lock button in the upper right corner of the keyboard. On a Windows machine, you can press WindowsKey+L.livesoft wrote: ↑Tue Aug 13, 2019 6:59 pm I'm not sure what you mean by "lock." If you mean, do I have to type a password again if I leave my computer unused for a few minutes, then Yes. But my display opens up exactly where I left off. This is just like my cell phone which needs a password if I haven't used it for few minutes. Entering a password on these devices is trivial (if you know the password).
If you mean, do I power them down and turn them off, then no, I don't do that.
I generally don't keep sensitive info on my phone nor on my laptop.
I do have Smart Lock (it is really unlock) setup on my Chromebook too so I can unlock it with my phone. The thing is, it takes just as long to unlock my phone and click the icon as typing a password really.
Last edited by michaeljc70 on Tue Aug 13, 2019 7:15 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Re: Do you "lock" computers in your home?
I don't press any buttons to lock it because it locks itself.
-
- Posts: 10837
- Joined: Thu Oct 15, 2015 3:53 pm
- nisiprius
- Advisory Board
- Posts: 52105
- Joined: Thu Jul 26, 2007 9:33 am
- Location: The terrestrial, globular, planetary hunk of matter, flattened at the poles, is my abode.--O. Henry
Re: Do you "lock" computers in your home?
Yes, I have the lightest possible security. After twenty minutes of idleness, the screen begins showing vacation photos, and then changes to a password screen on a keypress or mouse move. I picked twenty minutes to allow snack breaks without it kicking in.
The main reason I did this not to protect against break-in or theft, but because that I read, correctly or incorrectly, that hackers can hack in over the internet through routers and gain remote access to the computer, and that this kind of account password does give one more hurdle they would need to vault.
The main reason I did this not to protect against break-in or theft, but because that I read, correctly or incorrectly, that hackers can hack in over the internet through routers and gain remote access to the computer, and that this kind of account password does give one more hurdle they would need to vault.
Last edited by nisiprius on Tue Aug 13, 2019 7:21 pm, edited 2 times in total.
Annual income twenty pounds, annual expenditure nineteen nineteen and six, result happiness; Annual income twenty pounds, annual expenditure twenty pounds ought and six, result misery.
Re: Do you "lock" computers in your home?
My computers all lock themselves after 10 minutes, I rarely do it manually. With Windows Hello, unlocking them is pretty frictionless.
-
- Posts: 717
- Joined: Tue Jun 19, 2018 2:20 pm
Re: Do you "lock" computers in your home?
On a Mac, I set a time limit. Whatever you’re comfortable with. Anywhere from 5 minutes to over an hour. I can also lock manually from the menu. I’m sure you have these options no matter the OS.
With a time limit of inactivity set, if you dash out of the house for something and don’t come back for a while, it reduces the chances of it falling into the wrong hands unprotected. If you have people in your house that you don’t know well, definitely be cautious. Someone gains access to your accounts and records—that’s a big deal.
It’s just good practice to set a decent passcode on all your computers and devices and have them lock after a certain amount of time passes. I have an 8-digit alpha-numeric passcode on everything. Not as strong as my online passwords but not easy to crack either.
With a time limit of inactivity set, if you dash out of the house for something and don’t come back for a while, it reduces the chances of it falling into the wrong hands unprotected. If you have people in your house that you don’t know well, definitely be cautious. Someone gains access to your accounts and records—that’s a big deal.
It’s just good practice to set a decent passcode on all your computers and devices and have them lock after a certain amount of time passes. I have an 8-digit alpha-numeric passcode on everything. Not as strong as my online passwords but not easy to crack either.
- Doom&Gloom
- Posts: 5398
- Joined: Thu May 08, 2014 3:36 pm
Re: Do you "lock" computers in your home?
If I leave the house, I turn mine off. Once I turn one on at home, it stays on (and logged in) as long as I am home unless I'm headed for bed. If I'm using my laptop away from home, it is off if I am not using it. SSDs make this so much more convenient than it used to be.
DW leaves her Chromebook on (and logged in) all the time unless she encounters a problem and needs to re-boot it. Sigh.
DW leaves her Chromebook on (and logged in) all the time unless she encounters a problem and needs to re-boot it. Sigh.
Last edited by Doom&Gloom on Tue Aug 13, 2019 7:24 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Re: Do you "lock" computers in your home?
My home computers lock quickly. They unlock with my Apple Watch, so it's super fast and convenient.
Re: Do you "lock" computers in your home?
Absolutely. I have had a laptop stolen from my home, and I’m very thankful that it was locked with a password.
67/12/21 US stock/international stock/bonds. Bonds capped at 10x annual spending. Semi-retired as of 2022.
Re: Do you "lock" computers in your home?
I can’t even remember the last time I turned it off. It’s been years.
Nope. I don’t lock it.
Nope. I don’t lock it.
- whodidntante
- Posts: 13088
- Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2016 10:11 pm
- Location: outside the echo chamber
Re: Do you "lock" computers in your home?
*unlocks computer*
I use full disk encryption on every drive, including removable drives. And I lock the computer when I'm not physically sitting at it. The main reason I lock it is that I'm required to do so at work, even if I'm just getting coffee or retrieving a printout. So it's easier to do it all the time.
I use full disk encryption on every drive, including removable drives. And I lock the computer when I'm not physically sitting at it. The main reason I lock it is that I'm required to do so at work, even if I'm just getting coffee or retrieving a printout. So it's easier to do it all the time.
Re: Do you "lock" computers in your home?
I seldom do it manually, but both my desktop and laptop Windows 10 machines lock when they go into sleep mode after 10 or 15 minutes. I bought a USB fingerprint reader for my desktop that makes it a breeze to log back in; it works better than the built-in fingerprint reader on the high-end laptop.
- typical.investor
- Posts: 5245
- Joined: Mon Jun 11, 2018 3:17 am
Re: Do you "lock" computers in your home?
This is very important.whodidntante wrote: ↑Tue Aug 13, 2019 7:34 pm *unlocks computer*
I use full disk encryption on every drive, including removable drives. And I lock the computer when I'm not physically sitting at it. The main reason I lock it is that I'm required to do so at work, even if I'm just getting coffee or retrieving a printout. So it's easier to do it all the time.
If your drive is not encrypted, it is easily readable even without logging in.
Either turn it on, or find a way to encrypt those files.
Last edited by typical.investor on Tue Aug 13, 2019 7:40 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Re: Do you "lock" computers in your home?
Absolutely, my laptops need a password to turn on from off, and if unused for 15 minutes or so. That password is the only thing standing in front of my email (although I do have a password manager with a separate password for all financial sites). Of course it is unlikely that anyone will break in and steal my computer, but the probability is not zero. In any case, typing in the password takes about two seconds, so the delay is imperceptible. Same thing on my cell phone.
Re: Do you "lock" computers in your home?
If it's a PC with Windows 10, you can set up a four-digit passcode, which I find is quick enough that it doesn't bother me. I have one PC with a fingerprint reader, so that's even faster. There are inexpensive USB fingerprint readers if your PC doesn't have one.
-
- Posts: 717
- Joined: Tue Jun 19, 2018 2:20 pm
Re: Do you "lock" computers in your home?
Agree. I just encrypt the drive from the get-go.typical.investor wrote: ↑Tue Aug 13, 2019 7:39 pmThis is very important.whodidntante wrote: ↑Tue Aug 13, 2019 7:34 pm *unlocks computer*
I use full disk encryption on every drive, including removable drives. And I lock the computer when I'm not physically sitting at it. The main reason I lock it is that I'm required to do so at work, even if I'm just getting coffee or retrieving a printout. So it's easier to do it all the time.
If your drive is not encrypted, it is easily readable.
Either turn it on, or find a way to encrypt those files.
Re: Do you "lock" computers in your home?
Both our laptops use Face ID to log on (Windows Hello, not supported on older laptops).
They lock when you Sleep or leave them for 5 minutes.
Easy to set them to lock after a few minutes.
They lock when you Sleep or leave them for 5 minutes.
Easy to set them to lock after a few minutes.
Last edited by bloom2708 on Wed Aug 14, 2019 10:30 am, edited 1 time in total.
Re: Do you "lock" computers in your home?
+1whodidntante wrote: ↑Tue Aug 13, 2019 7:34 pm *unlocks computer*
I use full disk encryption on every drive, including removable drives. And I lock the computer when I'm not physically sitting at it. The main reason I lock it is that I'm required to do so at work, even if I'm just getting coffee or retrieving a printout. So it's easier to do it all the time.
Last edited by Rowan Oak on Tue Aug 13, 2019 9:10 pm, edited 2 times in total.
“If you can get good at destroying your own wrong ideas, that is a great gift.” – Charlie Munger
- indexfundfan
- Posts: 3961
- Joined: Tue Feb 20, 2007 10:21 am
- Contact:
Re: Do you "lock" computers in your home?
It's a habit I have from work. Every time I leave my desk, I press WIN + L to lock the screen.
My signature has been deleted.
Re: Do you "lock" computers in your home?
Locking is a must. Always use but locker encryptions and make sure to save recovery keys in a secure location
Re: Do you "lock" computers in your home?
Yes, I have my laptop set to autolock after 5 minutes. I also wear seat belts, even though I have yet to have ever needed them.
"Pretired", working 20 h/wk. AA 75/25: 30% TSM, 19% value (VFVA/AVUV), 18% Int'l LC, 8% emerging, 25% GFund/VBTLX. Military pension ≈60% of expenses. Pension+SS@age 70 ≈100% of expenses.
Re: Do you "lock" computers in your home?
I have that habit at work too. At home, I don't manually lock my Mac, but I do have it lock after 15 minutes of inactivity. I seldom have to enter my password, though, because it is also set to unlock automatically if my Apple Watch is unlocked on my wrist and in close proximity to my Mac. (My Watch taps me on my wrist and shows an unlocking icon when it does so, so it doesn't let anyone access the Mac surreptitiously.indexfundfan wrote: ↑Tue Aug 13, 2019 7:47 pm It's a habit I have from work. Every time I leave my desk, I press WIN + L to lock the screen.
Re: Do you "lock" computers in your home?
We have laptops and they are password protected, plus whenever we leave the house we put all electronics away. We have nothing of value in our house anyone could smash and grab while the alarm is blaring.
I'm just sitting here watching the wheels go round and round. |
Nobody told me there'd be days like these.
-
- Posts: 1965
- Joined: Sun May 25, 2014 5:55 pm
Re: Do you "lock" computers in your home?
+1 We do the same with our computers.whodidntante wrote: ↑Tue Aug 13, 2019 7:34 pm I use full disk encryption on every drive, including removable drives. And I lock the computer when I'm not physically sitting at it.
Re: Do you "lock" computers in your home?
Mine are set to lock after a while. I have a few sensitive files that are encrypted but I have only recently had a computer I thought was fast enough to not have the encryption slow the computer down.
- whodidntante
- Posts: 13088
- Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2016 10:11 pm
- Location: outside the echo chamber
Re: Do you "lock" computers in your home?
Some disks support encryption in hardware so the CPU doesn't have to do it.
- southerndoc
- Posts: 1266
- Joined: Wed Apr 22, 2009 7:07 pm
- Location: Atlanta
Re: Do you "lock" computers in your home?
I do some consulting work for, well, I'll just leave it as sensitive consulting work.
The laptop has a FIPS fingerprint reader on it. Before it asks for your password, I have to insert a smart card. I am required to keep it secured in a safe when not using it, and I am strictly forbidden from using it for anything other than work related to my contracted position. I cannot leave it unattended ever when outside of my home. If I have it with me and stop at the grocery store, the laptop must go into the grocery store with me.
For my personal computers and main work laptop, I use Apple's TouchID except my iMac. It's password protected.
The laptop has a FIPS fingerprint reader on it. Before it asks for your password, I have to insert a smart card. I am required to keep it secured in a safe when not using it, and I am strictly forbidden from using it for anything other than work related to my contracted position. I cannot leave it unattended ever when outside of my home. If I have it with me and stop at the grocery store, the laptop must go into the grocery store with me.
For my personal computers and main work laptop, I use Apple's TouchID except my iMac. It's password protected.
Re: Do you "lock" computers in your home?
I’m the second responder who’s had my laptop (my wife’s also) stolen from my home. Both were shut down since we were on vacation, and both our current Mac’s also set to time out, requiring a password. Would never leave them without requiring password.
- whodidntante
- Posts: 13088
- Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2016 10:11 pm
- Location: outside the echo chamber
Re: Do you "lock" computers in your home?
I'll just read the Snowden report to find out.southerndoc wrote: ↑Tue Aug 13, 2019 9:54 pm I do some consulting work for, well, I'll just leave it as sensitive consulting work.
Re: Do you "lock" computers in your home?
I don't know about chrome but it is useless in windows if one gets physical access to the HDD.michaeljc70 wrote: ↑Tue Aug 13, 2019 6:55 pm I know that it is unlikely that someone will break in and steal my 2 laptops (1 Chromebook, 1 Windows). However, I wonder how bad the effects would/could be if they do. I don't lock them because I jump on and off of them at least 20 times a day and it is a hassle to unlock them. I have Quicken (with all my financial accounts/account numbers), tax returns and other normal records (copies of marriage certificate, birth certificate, SSN card, passports,etc.) on the laptops.
I am wondering if people lock their computers all the time when not using them at home or use some other method to avoid theft of data or just don't worry about it. I make a concerted effort to lock them when traveling and leaving them in a hotel room or something like that.
Unless you encrypt the whole thing.
Re: Do you "lock" computers in your home?
Most people don't lock computers at my work and common pranks we used to do is set some horrible picture as desktop background (a favorite one was a crocodile with somebody's arm in its mouth) or writing resignation emails to the boss.indexfundfan wrote: ↑Tue Aug 13, 2019 7:47 pm It's a habit I have from work. Every time I leave my desk, I press WIN + L to lock the screen.
Good times.
Re: Do you "lock" computers in your home?
I lock my computers, yes. However, it's mostly so that nobody can see what I'm doing or mess with important documents.
Buy right and hold tight.
-
- Posts: 2344
- Joined: Tue Mar 05, 2019 9:29 pm
- Location: Colorado
Re: Do you "lock" computers in your home?
I always lock mine. I can type my very long password in about two seconds, though my latest laptop has Touch ID so I no longer even need to do that.
Lock your computer and use full disk encryption. Always.
Lock your computer and use full disk encryption. Always.
Re: Do you "lock" computers in your home?
+1
I have apple devices e.g. MacBooks or iMac. They lock themselves and automatically unlock when I approach wearing my Apple Watch. I addition I use apple FileVault so if someone steals the entire device all my data is encrypted.
I don’t think things can be any easier.
Remember when you wanted what you currently have?
Re: Do you "lock" computers in your home?
Encrypting a Windows hard disk, unless you spring an extra $100 for Win 10 Pro, is non-trivial. I would not want to discourage people from taking important basic security measures like using a password by saying it's worthless unless you encrypt.
You have to look at the real threat. Your basic burglar in 99% of the cases is not going to have the interest or skills to remove your HDD and try to see if there is anything interesting there. If you have any reason to think that you personally are a target of the KGB or a sophisticated crime syndicate, yes you should figure out how to encrypt your hard drive. But for most people who are burgled, the burglar does not know or care who you are -- you are just the house with the breakable window in the back.
Using an account password is an easy way to put another barrier in place against a lucky discovery on a stolen computer, and will deter 99% of crooks. Remember the story of running away from the bear - you don't have to outrun the bear, just the other guy running away. Similarly, in most cases you don't have to have the most unbreakable computer - just one that is less breakable than your neighbor's.
-
- Posts: 3482
- Joined: Sun Sep 11, 2016 11:27 am
Re: Do you "lock" computers in your home?
I don't think you need sophisticated tools to bypass password protection --- all you need is the ability to boot off a USB drive or set boot order. That can be disabled in most PCs if you want to be more secure.
Slightly off topic, but how does one securely destroy old desktop disks physically that have been removed from a computer (without putting them back in a chassis and running a program on them) ? I know one can destroy them oneself, by opening them and running a drill through the platters, but I wanted to know if there is a chain/company that'll run them through an e-shredder.
There are plenty of services that'll do this for commercial sites, but I don't know if there's say a storefront you can take these disks to, and see them destroyed physically in front of you.
Slightly off topic, but how does one securely destroy old desktop disks physically that have been removed from a computer (without putting them back in a chassis and running a program on them) ? I know one can destroy them oneself, by opening them and running a drill through the platters, but I wanted to know if there is a chain/company that'll run them through an e-shredder.
There are plenty of services that'll do this for commercial sites, but I don't know if there's say a storefront you can take these disks to, and see them destroyed physically in front of you.
-
- Posts: 717
- Joined: Tue Jun 19, 2018 2:20 pm
Re: Do you "lock" computers in your home?
I’ve been using personal computers since the early 80s and whenever a computer died, I removed the HD and threw it into a box. We downsized 5 years ago and I got rid all the HDs at a local shredding event sponsored by the town/local biz. They had a truck on site and I saw them shred the paper but I don’t recall what they did with the HDs (probably put them in a container to shred at facility). I suppose there’s an element of risk doing this but probably no more than paying a company to do it because essentially, that’s what this company did, only for free this particular day. Also, I got free doughnuts so that counts for something. I see such events from time to time in the local paper but I have only paper to shred at this time and I can get that shredded for free the the local copy center every Friday.SlowMovingInvestor wrote: ↑Wed Aug 14, 2019 6:50 am I don't think you need sophisticated tools to bypass password protection --- all you need is the ability to boot off a USB drive or set boot order. That can be disabled in most PCs if you want to be more secure.
Slightly off topic, but how does one securely destroy old desktop disks physically that have been removed from a computer (without putting them back in a chassis and running a program on them) ? I know one can destroy them oneself, by opening them and running a drill through the platters, but I wanted to know if there is a chain/company that'll run them through an e-shredder.
There are plenty of services that'll do this for commercial sites, but I don't know if there's say a storefront you can take these disks to, and see them destroyed physically in front of you.
Re: Do you "lock" computers in your home?
How many burglars know how to do that? If they are really good computer people, they can make more money doing computer stuff than robbing homes. Again, you have to balance your mitigations with the threat you face. TV shows have got us all thinking that spies and computer thieves are around every corner and are after us personally, when in 99% of situations that is not true.SlowMovingInvestor wrote: ↑Wed Aug 14, 2019 6:50 am I don't think you need sophisticated tools to bypass password protection --- all you need is the ability to boot off a USB drive or set boot order. That can be disabled in most PCs if you want to be more secure.
Regarding computer crime, we are far more at risk of having our financial accounts hacked over the internet because we use weak passwords. This hacking occurs from Russia or some other country and requires no physical access to your computer.
Again, I think setting up an account password on Windows is a straightforward, easy mitigation that would go a long way to protect an average person's computer in the unlikely event it is stolen.
Re: Do you "lock" computers in your home?
Can you recommend software to encrypt a hard drive?typical.investor wrote: ↑Tue Aug 13, 2019 7:39 pmThis is very important.whodidntante wrote: ↑Tue Aug 13, 2019 7:34 pm *unlocks computer*
I use full disk encryption on every drive, including removable drives. And I lock the computer when I'm not physically sitting at it. The main reason I lock it is that I'm required to do so at work, even if I'm just getting coffee or retrieving a printout. So it's easier to do it all the time.
If your drive is not encrypted, it is easily readable even without logging in.
Either turn it on, or find a way to encrypt those files.
While the moments do summersaults into eternity |
Cling to their coattails and beg them to stay - Townes Van Zandt
-
- Posts: 717
- Joined: Tue Jun 19, 2018 2:20 pm
Re: Do you "lock" computers in your home?
I see both sides of the argument. I don’t think there’s much risk (compared to other risks) that someone who breaks in will bother with paperwork and looking through computer files—much less go to great lengths to do so. OTOH, a snatched computer could find itself anywhere after the robbery and I’m not sure I like that idea. I used to worry about this a little bit (very little) when Macs had FileVault as an option but my hardware was not up to snuff to make it useful. It’s a no brainer nowadays to default to FileVault and add a strong passcode. What I certainly don’t envision or worry about is a burglar using Israeli level cracking tools to get at my data.gtd98765 wrote: ↑Wed Aug 14, 2019 7:16 amHow many burglars know how to do that? If they are really good computer people, they can make more money doing computer stuff than robbing homes. Again, you have to balance your mitigations with the threat you face. TV shows have got us all thinking that spies and computer thieves are around every corner and are after us personally, when in 99% of situations that is not true.SlowMovingInvestor wrote: ↑Wed Aug 14, 2019 6:50 am I don't think you need sophisticated tools to bypass password protection --- all you need is the ability to boot off a USB drive or set boot order. That can be disabled in most PCs if you want to be more secure.
Regarding computer crime, we are far more at risk of having our financial accounts hacked over the internet because we use weak passwords. This hacking occurs from Russia or some other country and requires no physical access to your computer.
Again, I think setting up an account password on Windows is a straightforward, easy mitigation that would go a long way to protect an average person's computer in the unlikely event it is stolen.
-
- Posts: 191
- Joined: Sun Jan 28, 2018 6:48 am
Re: Do you "lock" computers in your home?
I did not lock my laptops until I read the posts on this thread. I do now! Thanks Bogleheads.
- anon_investor
- Posts: 15111
- Joined: Mon Jun 03, 2019 1:43 pm
Re: Do you "lock" computers in your home?
We password lock our computers for sure, especially since they're laptops. When I was in school in a not that great area, I actually had a physical notebook cable lock on my computer to my desk...
Re: Do you "lock" computers in your home?
I realize I'm probably not the norm.
I only access financial or other sensitive accounts via:
* encrypted Linux virtual machine
or, more recent option added:
* Chromebook login specifically for financial accounts
My LastPass is set up only in these two places. On my Mac, which otherwise is not set to lock, I shut down the virtual machine when I'm done doing financial stuff. Takes less than a minute to start back up when I need it. On the Chromebook, I log out of the financial login when I'm done. If I'm using the other login for youtube videos or whatever, sometimes I don't bother logging out, but I always log out of the financial login.
Sensitive files are kept in Veracrypt containers, which are in cloud folders so they can be accessed remotely if needed, and backed up by Backblaze.
I only access financial or other sensitive accounts via:
* encrypted Linux virtual machine
or, more recent option added:
* Chromebook login specifically for financial accounts
My LastPass is set up only in these two places. On my Mac, which otherwise is not set to lock, I shut down the virtual machine when I'm done doing financial stuff. Takes less than a minute to start back up when I need it. On the Chromebook, I log out of the financial login when I'm done. If I'm using the other login for youtube videos or whatever, sometimes I don't bother logging out, but I always log out of the financial login.
Sensitive files are kept in Veracrypt containers, which are in cloud folders so they can be accessed remotely if needed, and backed up by Backblaze.
Re: Do you "lock" computers in your home?
On Windows 10, you can use BitLocker with Enterprise, Pro, or Education editions. For most with Windows 10 Home, you can use a 3rd party encryption.JPH wrote: ↑Wed Aug 14, 2019 7:21 amCan you recommend software to encrypt a hard drive?typical.investor wrote: ↑Tue Aug 13, 2019 7:39 pmThis is very important.whodidntante wrote: ↑Tue Aug 13, 2019 7:34 pm *unlocks computer*
I use full disk encryption on every drive, including removable drives. And I lock the computer when I'm not physically sitting at it. The main reason I lock it is that I'm required to do so at work, even if I'm just getting coffee or retrieving a printout. So it's easier to do it all the time.
If your drive is not encrypted, it is easily readable even without logging in.
Either turn it on, or find a way to encrypt those files.
I don't encrypt the whole drive. I did this at work but at home I encrypt my financials folders and use a password manager to keep passwords.
I don't use online password managers. Password Safe is very secure and stores passwords locally. The same Yubikey that I use with 2 factor Vanguard logon works with Password Safe For encryption I use VeraCrypt. It is open source/free and straightforward to create a virtual drive that hold folders with financial and sensitive documents.
-
- Posts: 259
- Joined: Tue Nov 28, 2017 7:06 pm
Re: Do you "lock" computers in your home?
Yes. Lock every device when it is not within line of sight.
Re: Do you "lock" computers in your home?
I've always locked it since an ex-girlfriend years ago snooped around on my non-password protected desktop computer while I wasn't home, and found my stash of "adult entertainment" files.