Winders XP user logon window?

[Steve M]

I just bought a new computer with Windows XP on it. Whenever I turn the computer on it comes up with a window that wants my name a password. Name says owner and password is blank. I click on it and it finshes booting up. Our other computers with Windows ME don't do this. Is there a way to eliminate this window on startup? It's not a problem. It's just a little annoying.

 

[Doc Tinker]

Go to Control Panel and select User Accounts icon and clear the Users Must Enter A User Name And Password To Use This Computer check box and click OK. In the box that appears next, type the user name and password for the account you want to be logged on each time you start your computer



These are instructions for Windows 2000, but I believe XP is the same



Doc

 

[Steve M]

XP appears to be different. Wife thinks I need to restore it and select cancel when the option for multiple users comes up. Best Buy likes to turn them on and set up to be sure everything works. They probably selected multiple users. I'll give it a try anyhow.

 

[illflem]

I've only used XP long enough to decide I don't like it but on earlier Windows versions go to control panel, passwords, click the user profiles tab then click all users use the same preferences and desktop settings.

 

[Eventer]

Steve,



Windows XP default set up is a disaster waiting to happen... to you.



The Owner user is like a root user in Unix/Linux or an Administrator account in XP Pro. It has permissions to do anything in the OS.



First you should NEVER use the Owner user for day-to-day use. Second you should immediately change the Owner password and use a strong password. A strong password contains a combination of numbers, letters (upper and lower case) or other characters such as !ri8E$fg(sf. Yes, they may be hard to remember but you are much more secure.



You should create an account for your daily use without Administrator rights. Be aware that this will cause frustration as you probably will not be able to install programs unless you fast-swtich to the Owner account for the install.



You should also change the guest password to a strong password and then disable the account. It serves no purpose on a home network except to let crackers in to your PC.



Create an account for each user on the PC with MINIMUM rights.



You should also install a firewall such as ZoneAlarm and lock down everything that you specifically do not want to have connecting to the Internet.



Other software that I use to prevent virus infections, trojans, malware and identity theft are: PestPatrol, Spybot - Search & Destroy, CookieCop 2 and Ad-aware 6. 0. All of this software is free and works as advertised. I also run anti-virus software. Make sure this software is always up to date. I folllow these steps and have never had an infection or bad thing happen. I also do not use Microsoft's browser (IE). I use Mozilla. Also switch to a different e-mail client. I use the e-mail client that comes with Mozilla. Do a search on google for the URL's or let me know and I can send them to you under separate cover.



Some final notes: ALWAYS keep back-ups that are know to be virus free, preferably off-site. Be careful where you surf. And keep your OS up to date through Windows update. Be careful that as a result of a Windows update that another hole in your security did not open.



Good luck. Unfortunately, security is a full-time job.

 

[Steve M]

Wow! I appreciate the good advice but we have a seperate computer for all our finances and important stuff that's not connected to the net. This new laptop is my own personal unit that will be used for e-mail and internet. All I really want to do is remove the login feature. I want it to boot up like my previous unit did with windows ME. I can turn it on and when I come back to it a couple of minutes later, it's booted up and ready to go. We use Norton internet security on all four laptops with a wireless router to a cable modem. I'm not sure if my wife is correct in restoring it and de-selecting shared user features during setup like on ME but I'll probably go that route.

 

[Eventer]

Steve,



Yes you can set WinXP up without entering a password. That is how my Gateway with XP initially started up. However, my statement about security still stands. Without a password, you are wide open to any hacks that may get through your firewall.



Also be very very careful using wireless connectivity without strong encryption. Do a google search on "war driving" to see what I mean.

 

[rkressg]

Originally posted by Eventer

Steve,



Yes you can set WinXP up without entering a password. That is how my Gateway with XP initially started up. However, my statement about security still stands. Without a password, you are wide open to any hacks that may get through your firewall.



Also be very very careful using wireless connectivity without strong encryption. Do a google search on "war driving" to see what I mean.

He is not kidding,

XPhome is a wonderful tool to use to gain access to individuals personal files. Microsoft leaves many wonderful open doors to stick your head inside and reak havoc.

I work as a network adminsitrator and some individuals are content just to enter into your computer and destroy it because they can. To the end user, this can cause much misfortune due to lost personal information. It does not take much effort to enforce minimal security measures on your PS's. If an exprienced user is looking to make someone's day, they will look for an easy target. If you setup some security measures, chances are the interfering individual will pass on to an easier target, forgeting you.



Wireless networks, IEEE standard 802. 11b (this is what you will have if you are a home user, trust me), use WAP's. If you have the correct equipment, you can scan for these WAP's in your neighborhood and use one of them as a portal onto their lan. You have now penetrated someone's home network because chances are they are not using a 128 bit encription. Why? Because it would have taken 5 extra min. to set up. Take all the possible precautions you can. They will be well worth it.



P. S. if that computer is on your business network, with out it being secured, the correct computer user will be able to extract what ever he/she wants if they set their mind to it, weather it is on your machine or on another. They can use your computer as a gateway onto your DMZ (if you are confused, look this term up), thus as a door onto other machines.

Be forwarned, there are many malicious users out there.

[DMZ] = DeMilitarized Zone

 

[Royk]

As long as we're into all this XP security stuff...

I'm also new to XP AND home networking. I was pulling my hair out for days trying to get my old and new PCs to talk to each other. In the process of trying to get them to talk, I was changing all kinds of parameters I wasn't sure about. One of them has me scared now. It was a network related screen with a whole bunch of check boxes that you either enable or disable. I remember the first four boxes were unchecked, the next four boxes were checked, and the remainder (maybe 7 or 8) were unchecked. It looked like the "Advanced" tab in IE5 under Tools/Internet Options.



Well, I enabled all of them. Now I can't remember how I got to that screen so I can set things back the way they were. Anybody know which screen I'm referring to and how to get back to it?



Roy

 

[Steve M]

I finally broke down and restored mine. Now I don't have to log on. We're on a wireless router but non of our computers are networked. No files are shared and all file sharing is disabled. Even in Yahoo Messenger. If someone were to get into my laptop, they'd have to stand outside my window to do it. My wireless router and PC cards barely reach the living room.

The last annoyance is outlook express 6 won't retain my password. I type it in and the check box is already checked. The next time I check my mail I have to type it in again. I'm not real thrilled with XP so far. Home use should be a little more flexible. The most a hacker will find on mine is some family and truck pics. If he destroys it I'll restore it. If I order something from Geno's online, it's encrypted and probably as secure as our info cruising throught the bank's computers online. I play with these things for the fun of it. If it turns into trouble, I'll pull the plug on it.