Nov 202012
 

We use computer constantly in our work and daily life, as a result it becomes quite important to keep computing safe from current and future threats. These 7 quick and easy tips I am about to explain will help protect your hardware, software, and data in your computer running Windows.

1. Updates Windows Automatically. If your PC has been off for a few days, don’t wait for Windows automatically updates for you. You should better first visit Windows Update site when you surf the Internet. Also, there may be a lag between when a patch is available and when Windows Update pushes it to you. Microsoft releases Windows patches on the second Tuesday of each month, so to be safe check for updates manually every couple of weeks. And don’t forget to set your antivirus and anti-spyware tools to update automatically (or check weekly for updates yourself).

2. Don’t Allow “Hide File Extensions for Known File Types”: Some viruses pretend as harmless file types by adding a bogus extension near the end of their name, as in “funnycartoon.jpg.exe,” in hopes your system is set to hide such extensions you see ‘.jpg’ but not ‘.exe’. To make these troublemakers easier to spot, open Windows Explorer or any folder window and click Tools >> Folder Options >> View. Make sure that “Hide file extensions for known file types” option is unchecked.

3. Enable and Configure a Firewall: A firewall is a device that controls the flow of information between your computer and the internet, similar to a router. Most modern operating systems include a software firewall. In addition to the operating system’s firewall, the majority of home routers have a firewall built in. Refer to your user’s guide for instructions on how to enable your firewall. Once your firewall is enabled, consult the user’s guide to learn how to configure the security settings and set a strong password to protect it against unwanted changes.

4. Install and Use Antivirus and Antispyware Software: Installing an antivirus and antispyware software program and keeping it up to date is a critical step in protecting your computer. Many types of antivirus and antispyware software can detect the possible presence of malware by looking for patterns in the files or memory of your computer. This software uses virus signatures provided by software vendors to look for malware. New malware is discovered daily, and vendors frequently make new signatures available, so 3antivirus software will be most effective if the signatures are up to date. Many antivirus and antispyware programs offer automatic updating. Enable that feature so your software always has the most current signatures. If automatic updates aren’t offered, be sure to install the software from a reputable source, like the vendor’s website or a CD from the vendor.

5. Remove Unnecessary Software: Unnecessary software increases the opportunities for attack. Intruders can attack your computer by exploiting software vulnerabilities (that is, flaws or weaknesses), so the less software you have installed, the fewer avenues for potential attack. Check the software installed on your computer. If you don’t know what a software program does and don’t use it, research it to determine whether it’s necessary. Remove any software you feel isn’t necessary after confirming the software is safe to be removed. Back up important files and data before removing unnecessary software in case you accidentally remove software essential to the operating system. If possible, locate the installation media for the software in case that someday you need to reinstall it.

6. Modify Unnecessary Default Features: Like removing unnecessary software and disabling nonessential services, modifying unnecessary default features eliminates opportunities for attack. Review the features that came enabled by default on your computer and disable or customize those you don’t need or plan on using. As with nonessential services, be sure to research these features before disabling or modifying them. The AutoRun feature in Microsoft Windows systems was a default feature at the time of the Conficker malware and was one of the three ways computers became infected. When the AutoRun feature is enabled on Windows computers, Windows detects when removable media, such as CDs and USB storage devices, are inserted into the computer and automatically executes the media’s contents.

7. Scan attachments for viruses: Run each of the e-mail attachments you receive through your antivirus software before you open them. Rather than double-clicking the attachment to open it instantly, save the file to a drive on your PC, open Windows Explorer, right-click the file, and choose the option to scan it for viruses. (Better yet, set your antivirus software to scan incoming and outgoing e-mail automatically.)

 

May 312012
 

Cannot login your Windows XP computer? Already lost or forgot Windows XP password on your PC?

Don’t worry! Forgetting Windows XP password is nothing serious actually. You may have heard of the only way to regain access to the locked XP machine is to format the hard drive and reinstall the operating system. In fact, you don’t need to risk in doing that since it doesn’t cost time but also cause necessary data loss. Well, thanks to the rapid development of technology, especially in the field of computer software, we now can easily and quickly remove or change forgotten password for Windows XP-based computer. Below are two ways to troubleshoot Windows XP password forgot problem.

Way 1 : Ophcrack LiveCD—Best freeware to crack Windows XP password.

Type Ophcrack in any search engine, you will easily find there is pretty much information about this program. It is quite popular recently for it has been regarded as the best freeware to crack forgotten Windows password so far. Below are the specific steps to use this tool:
How to crack Windows XP password with Ophcrack LiveCD?
Step1: Free download the Ophcrack LiveCD software.
Step2: Burn the ISO file of Ophcrack LiveCD to a disk.
Step3: The Ophcrack LiveCD disk you just burned is a “bootable” disc. So bring this disk to the computer which you cannot get in to and then set this PC boot from the burned disk.
Step4: The burned disk will crack passwords for all user accounts created on your XP PC automatically.

However, one of the very limitations of this freeware is that password cracking efficiency. By using Ophcrack, one cannot use it to crack Windows password with exceeding 10 characters. For better crack your forgotten Windows XP login password, you need to seek for professional Windows XP password recovery tool.

Way 2: Windows Password Recovery Tool – Best professional tool to reset XP admin password.

Compared with freeware—Ophcrack, Windows Password Recovery Tool has no limitations faced with recovering Windows passwords. That means, no matter how long or how complex the password is, this tool can crack it efficiently. Still feel hesitated between freeware and professional tool? Then, let’s see how professional software – Windows Password Recovery Tool works first.
Step1: Download Windows Password Recovery Tool Standard and install it to another accessible computer properly.
Step2: Insert a blank and writable CD/DVD to computer, and then click “Burn” button to start burning an ISO image file to the CD or DVD.
Step3: After finis the burning, remove the CD or DVD from the computer and then insert this CD or DVD to the locked computer.
Step4: Set the locked computer to boot from CD or DVD in BIOS.
Step5: Reset the forgotten windows XP password with burned CD/DVD. Within minutes, you then can access to your computer without password again.

Note: The above steps on how to crack forgotten XP password are based on Windows Password Recovery Tool Standard, one of the 4 versions of Windows Password Recovery. Additionally, if you want to change Windows XP password when it is forgotten, you then can use the last version of this tool—Windows Password Recovery Tool Ultimate to solve the problem!

Article Related: http://www.windowspasswordsrecovery.com/forgot-windows-xp-password.htm

May 032012
 

Situation 1: Windows XP machine can still be logged in.
If you have forgotten or lost Windows XP password, but you can still log in to the system with another user, there are two ways you can regain access to the account so that you won’t lose privilege to any program, document stored in that account.

Way 1: Reset lost password Windows XP from Control Panel.
Step1: Log in with the accessible user.
Step2: Click Start, Control Panel and User Accounts in order.
Step3: Pick the specified Windows account whose password you want to reset.
Step4: Click on Remove the password.
Step5: Now restart your PC and log in with the target user. (Note: No password is needed.)

Way 2: Change lost Windows password XP from Computer Management.
Step 1: Log on your XP profession computer with the accessible user.
Step 2: Right-click Computer and select Manage.
Step 3: Click Local User and Groups, and then click Users. And all the accounts will be listed for you.
Step 4: Right-click target account and select Set password.
Step 5: Leave the password text field blank and click OK.

Situation 2: Windows XP machine has been locked already.
To reset a forgotten or lost password on Windows XP when there is still access to the computer is pretty simple. However, when there is no access to XP machine, the above ways won’t work at all since the situation would become complicated. Though complicated the situation is, we can still find effective ways to cope with it. Below is the exact way to reset a lost XP password.

Way 3: Use Windows Password Recovery Tool.
Windows Password Recovery Tool 3.0 is powerful lost Windows password reset software. No matter the password you’ve lost is a local or a domain password on any Windows operating system, Windows Password Recovery Tool can help you solve all the possible lost Windows password problems.
Here’s how Windows Password Recovery Tool works:
Step1: Download and install, run the Windows Password Recovery Tool 3.0 on an accessible computer.
Step2: Burn a password reset disk with a blank CD/DVD or USB flash drive.
Step3: Boot the locked computer from the burned CD/DVD or USB.
Step4: Start to remove the forgotten or lost XP password. (Note: If your computer is a domain controller, you can also reset the forgotten Windows domain password in this step.)

One more tip: After you finish resetting Windows XP password lost, it is highly recommended to put up the burned CD/DVD or USB well in case you can use it in future.

Source: http://www.blog.windowspasswordsrecovery.com/lost-windows-xp-password.htm

Apr 252011
 

Safe mode is a special operating mode available in all Windows. In safe mode you can not run audio and video files, if you are affected with Trojans or malware and if you are not able to get rid of them then log on to safe mode.

You can also change and diagnose programs in safe mode. But some times safe mode can be risky for the security reasons because any one can open the computer in safe mode. So it is very important to set a password for safe mode also, to restrict the access to safe mode you can set administrator password for the safe mode.

We will help you to set a password for safe mode in Windows XP, you just have to follow the following steps:

Step1:
The first step is to shut down the system and after some seconds reboot the computer. Now to go to safe mode, you just have to press F8 while it is rebooting. You will see a black screen with a number of options, choose Safe mode and click enter.

Step2:
Select the Windows XP as the operating system and when safe mode will be loaded, you will get the welcome screen. Now click on the administrator to log on as administrator.

Step3:
Now click on the start button on the extreme left of the computer screen and click run. Now in the run dialog box, you have to type “control userpasswords“. Now press enter, you will see a new window pick an account to change, there you just click on the administrator account.


Step4:
Now you will see list of options, just select change my passwords from the options given. You will get two dialogue boxes as current and new password, fill both of the fields. Now you have to click ok to finish the process. Now to see the changes made, reboot the computer and after selecting safe mode; you will ask to enter the passwords.

We recommend you to make a note of the passwords as well as use some other medium to remember the passwords. Because whenever you will need to log on to safe mode, you need to enter the password. We also recommend you to change the passwords at least once in a month to avoid any kind of security breaches. It is also essential to update the Windows once in a month to avoid internet worms.

You can also reset Windows XP forgotten passwords in safe mode whenever you want. To do so, you just need to enter into safe mode, then go to start, click run and type mmc in the dialogue box and press enter. Now you have to expand the local user and groups by clicking a “+” symbol on the left side of the window. Now you just have to click on the users in the local users and groups. After this go to administrator account, on the administrator account right click the mouse and press set password option. After finishing these steps, you successfully reset the password.

XP Administrator Password Breaker [Download]

Article source: http://www.windowspasswordsrecovery.com/set-password-safe-mode-xp.htm

Mar 122011
 

Did you forget your Windows XP User password? You can click the “?” button to see your password hint. Or you can use your password reset disk. This article describes how to create a password reset disk for a computer that is not a member of a domain in Microsoft Windows XP.(that is part of a workgroup, or that is not connected to a network.)

What is the Windows XP Password Reset Disk?

Do you need to enter a password when booting into Windows XP Pro? Afraid you might forget this password down the road and not be able to run your PC? Make a password reset disk to protect against a lost password.

Note: You may want to know how to create a user login password to protect xp.

To protect user accounts in the event that the user forgets the password, every local user should make a password reset disk and keep it in a safe place. Then, if the user forgets his or her password, the password can be reset using the password reset disk and the user is able to access the local user account again.

The Forgotten Password Wizard lets you create a XP password reset disk that you can use to recover your user account and personalized computer settings if you forget your password.

How to create a XP password reset disk

To create a password reset disk for your local user account, use the following method.

Requirements

The following methods require a floppy disk drive and a blank floppy disk. As we all know, the floppy disk is easily damaged and it is out of date. In this demonstration, I will use a blank USB Fash Disk instead of floppy disk. Firstly make sure it is connected with your computer.

Steps

1. Click Start, and then click Control Panel.
start xp control panel

2. In Control Panel, click User Accounts.
Note: If you’re viewing the Classic View of Control Panel, double-click on the User Accounts icon.
click user account on control panel

3. In the User Accounts pane, click the account that you want to work with. Here I will click my account name “Andy“.click user account icon

4. Under the Related Tasks left side options, click Prevent a forgotten password to start the Forgotten Password Wizard, and then click Next. prevent a forgotten password windows xp forgotten password wizard

5. In the drop-down menu, there are 2 options for us to choose. One is Floppy A, another is WPKEY (It is the name of my USB Flash Drive). Select the WPKEY and then click Next.
choose drive create xp password key disk

6. In the Current User Account Password box, type Andy’s password , and then click Next. The Forgotten Password Wizard will start creating the disk.
Note: If the user account does not have a password, just leave it blank in the Current user account password box.
current user account password windows xp

7. When the progress indicator shows 100% complete, click Next and then click Finish in the next window.
100% complete creating xp password reset disk
completing xp forgotten password wiziard

The password reset disk contains only one file called userkey.psw, which is an encrypted version of your password.
userkey

Finally

Label the disk “Windows XP Password Reset” and store it in a safe place. You can use the password reset disk to gain access to your Windows XP-based computer if you forget your password.

Tips:

1. You only need to create a password reset disk for your Windows XP logon password once. No matter how many times you change your password, this disk will always allow you to create a new one.

2. Keep in mind that anyone who possesses this disk will be able to access your account at any time, even if you change your password. You’d better store it in a safe place.

3. Not a Windows XP user? See the guides for other Windows versions.
How to Create a Windows 7 Password Reset Disk?
How to Create a Vista Password Reset Disk?

4. Unfortunately, if you’ve forgotten your Windows XP password and can no longer acceses Windows, you won’t be able to create a password reset disk. Luckily there is a Windows password recovery program which can help you to find lost password. It is popular way of getting your password back, even you don’t have a password reset disk. You can download the free tried Demo on clicking below link.

Windows XP Password Recovery Program [Safe Download]

Article source: http://www.windowspasswordsrecovery.com/create-xp-password-reset-disk.htm

Feb 252011
 

So you lost your Windows XP user password? You can try your best to remember XP account password, such as:

  • * your name?
  • * a loved one’s birthday?
  • * something from your childhood?
  • * a pet’s name?
  • * your home or office address?
  • * the name of a friend or family member?
  • * a frequently dialed telephone number?
  • * a favorite food?
  • * a combination of any of the above?

Forgot Windows XP Password

Still Can’t Find Your Windows XP Password?

If you’ve given it your best shot but that all-important Windows XP password is still hiding somewhere in your mind, then it’s time to try something a bit more technical.

Don’t worry – There is a easy way to recover the password.

Windows password recovery tool is a software program designed to recover or reset/delete your Windows XP password. It can sometimes be difficult to use but if there’s no hope of remembering the password and you can follow some simple directions, Windows password recovery tool is life saver.

Notes: You need a Windows XP Password Reset disk. If you don¡¯t have created it before, you should use the Windows Password Recovery Tool to burn a reset CD/DVD or USB flash drive.

Step 1. Download the Windows Password Recovery Tool

Go to the official site of Windows Password Recovery Tool, and download it for free. Install it with default options.

Step 2. Create a Windows XP Password Reset disk

Run this soft, insert a blank cd/dvd or usb flash drive. Follow the step-by-step guide to burn a Windows XP Password Reset disk. You can burn it to a cd/dvd or USB, it depends on your personal condition. After burning successfully, you get a password reset disk. Now insert this password reset disk into the locked computer which you lost Windows XP Password.

Create a Windows 7 Password reset disk

Step 3. Set the bios config to boot from cd/dvd or usb

  • 1. Start your locked Windows XP Computer, press Del or F2 button while the computer is initalizing. The initial startup screen may be similar as this image. If you do that, you may see the bios config screen.
  • 2. Go to the boot menu and change bios setting to make it boot from cd/dvd or usb firstly.
    boot computer from cd first
  • 3. Press F10 to save your changes, then restart this computer.save bios change
  • 4 . After restart, the computer will automatically load Windows password Recovery Tool and you can start to reset Windows XP Password.
    loading password reset disk

Step 4. Recover Windows XP Password with the password reset disk.

  • 1. Choose the Windows XP Installation if you have more than one OS in this computer.
  • 2. All Windows XP users will be listed. Select the user name which you forgot its password, click reset button.
    recover forgotten windows xp password
  • 3. A dialog box will be pop-up, click Yes to confirm reset, then this Windows XP user password will be reset to blank.
    confirm reset xp administrator password
    reset windows xp password successful
    after resetting xp password
  • 4. Eject the password reset disk, and restart you computer, login Windows XP with a blank password.
    loading windows xp

login windows XP without password

Windows XP Password Recovery Tool [Download]

Article source:  http://www.windowspasswordsrecovery.com/forgot-windows-xp-password.htm

Sep 192010
 

Many adults use Windows parental controls, also known as the Content Advisor, to protect young children from viewing inappropriate websites. If you have set the Content Advisor to block certain sites–but now you want to access these sites–there are a few steps you can take.

Bypassing Windows Parental Controls

  1. Start Internet Explorer and click on the “Tools” button, then click “Internet Options.”
  2. An “Internet Options” pop-up screen will display. Select the tab titled “Content” and click on “Settings” under “Content Advisor”.
  3. You will be asked to provide an administrator password. Type it in to access and disable the Content Advisor.
  4. If you forget your password, click on “Start” on the bottom-left corner of your screen and click “Run.”
  5. In the text field, type in “RegEdit” and click “OK.” A “Registry Editor” screen will display.
  6. Click on the “Plus” button to expand the “H_KEY_LOCAL_MACHINE” file.
  7. Expand “Software,” “Microsoft,” “Windows,” “Current Version” and “Policies.”
  8. Open the “Ratings” folder under “Policies.” On the right side of the “RegEdit” window, you will see a “key” icon.
  9. Right-click on the “key” icon and select “Delete.”
  10. Select “Registry” and “Exit” to exit “RegEdit.” This deletes the Content Advisor password.
  11. Restart your computer
  12. Open Internet Explorer and repeat the first two steps. When you are asked for your password this time, click “OK” without entering a password. You should now be able to bypass parental controls.