Does a windows password "stop hackers"

[lister]

Do we keep our passwords on boot or sleep mode to prevent a hacker getting onto a network and then finding your mac address so as to access your machine?

Is that the only reason we have it?

(Also for the other reason that if you left your machine unattended or for privacy but my question is more for anti-hackers).

If the answer to the question is no then i might undo my one....

 

[lehnerus2000]

Not for that reason

The password and MAC address are independent and unrelated.

If your PC is connected to a network (and the network card has power) your MAC address is available for functions like "wake on LAN".

Your password only "prevents" (reduces the chances of) unauthorized access to your user account.

 

[ickymay]

Do we keep our passwords on boot or sleep mode to prevent a hacker getting onto a network and then finding your mac address so as to access your machine?

Is that the only reason we have it?

(Also for the other reason that if you left your machine unattended or for privacy but my question is more for anti-hackers).

no , your windows password is meant to prevent access to your windows account from anyone at your system or who is already on your network

The main reason for your windows password is to prevent anyone logging on as you when they have access to your keyboard

 

[lister]

so for me that only uses this machine i might as well remove it then - do you?

 

[python134r]

I still would keep a password, granted it is to keep the "casual unauthorized user off", are you on a "private" LAN, such as your work or whatever. Then you must have credentials to access the network.

 

[fakeasdf]

It's required for Terminal Service (remoting into the machine). That's a good enough reason for most of my computers...

 

[ickymay]

I don't have a password on my main PC at home as only me and my daughters have access and they have their own systems so no reason to use mine

My networking device is a NAS which holds all my files needed remotely.

I only ever use this PC to remote in to other peoples systems

 

[Dave Atkin]

Its always best to have a password on your PC. What if it was stolen? A vicious person could do alot with the data that could be on there.

Dave

 

[logicearth]

By default an account without a password cannot login remotely though the network. So even if you didn't have a password on your account, a remote login would be impossible.

 

[bigcitycat]

Even if you lose your computer and you have a password people can get all your data with a Linux Live cd. Just boot with linux live cd and copy and paste data to usb. Unless you used bitlocker or truecrypt to encrypt your data.

 

[ickymay]

resetting a user password is very easy if you know how

 

[Dave Atkin]

resetting a user password is very easy if you know how

Yes but its even easier to get onto a System with no password . Plus, Joe Public may not know how to do this .

Dave

 

[lehnerus2000]

True Story

One of my friends didn't have a password on his PC.
He went away one weekend and told his housemates that they could use it to play games.

When he got back, they complained that they couldn't get access.
They had been trying random passwords, which all failed.

 

[bigcitycat]

From what i understand if you assigned a strong admin password then you have a much more difficult time breaking it but if someone wants to break into your pc they can still do it. You could encrypt your hard drive with truecrypt and that would stop anyone as long as you have a good password.