Solved Do I need to password protect my computer?

[Debby]

Hi! Do you think that reequiring a password in order to use my computer will help keep it more free of viruses? I recently made it necessary to use a password to protect my computer, because I was having troubles with viruses. I also tweaked things in Google chrome and in my computer settings, too. In any case, I'm having much less trouble with viruses bothering, me than I have had for the 2 weeks about - leading up to this success. We have a computer we leave over at our grandchildren's home for them to use. They logon through my name, so that I can watch over them better, for one reason. But who knows - maybe visiting older sons might get on there sometimes. One is staying there lately. Could the virus problem have been caused by him getting on bad sites? Or is it equally possible that anyone on the internet afar - who is smart enough, might be more able to give me viruses if I didn't password protect my compouter? Does password protection only help if there are ones HERE that use it? Or does it help keep away distant possible intruders? Curious to know and would if possible like to know what was the most likely cause. Thanks!

 

[samuria]

You leave your self open to all sorts of scams virus with no password as it makes it simple for hackers to gain access to you pc and your details something in Windows don't work well with no password

 

[Snick]

Access to computer passwords afford no virus protection.
Passwords for admin and user - guest accounts yes, see below
Unsafe surfing and downloading are primary culprits in my opinion.

Set up user - guest accounts on your computer. Never run as administrator unless it is you.
HOWTO: Create a Limited User Account in Windows 7
Guest Account - Turn On or Off - Windows 7 Help Forums
How to Let Someone Else Use Your Computer Without Giving ...

Not utilizing free versions of programs listed below increases your risk!
What do you use for firewall, anti-virus, anti-ransomware, anti-exploit?
What browser(s) do you have installed? add-ons?

 

[Barman58]

Malware attacks are only as powerful/problematic as the system access of the user they take over to do their nasty "work" If the malware (viruses are just one form of malware, and is less seen than it used to be due to better default protection in Windows). always use a strong password on any admin account, (windows has a UAC system to protect further against malicious attacks, this should be switched on and set to the second highest level for best balance

The way that windows works is that there are multiple levels of user, at the two ends of the scale are the standard user up to the admin user, if an admin user is compromised then the malware will have full access to the system and can do most damage, whereas taking over a standard user will only give the malware limited access and thus ability to do damage.

In your situation with the computer in use with your grandchildren I strongly advise you change the password of the existing admin user (the first user is always an admin), and then create a standard user account for the children to use, (or why not one for each child), there is also a built in family protection option in windows that allows you to control and when a child user can use the system, and what they are allowed to access, (a younger child can be allowed age restricted apps only if you wish

with this setup the system protections are protected against accidental or malicious use

Parental Controls - Setup and Use

 

[Debby]

Hi! Thanks so much for explaining about all of this! I'm glad to read on both aspects of the possibly good reasons for using a password on my computer, and maybe also for the grandchildren too. They are quite young at this point ages 5 to 6. I plan to continue using at least a password on my computer,though it is extra bother. But it was greater bother to try to fix the problems viruses were causing me here at home, for several weeks. And I'm glad that is over with now.