Technology Tips Archive: Windows
- Change the Default View in your Windows
- Quickly Print a Document
- Deleting Files
- Passwords: Your First Line of Defense
- Setting a Windows Password
Change the Default View in
your Windows
So you want to change how the contents of a window are viewed (for example
using the Detail view) and then you want all your windows to look the
same.
- Double-click on My Computer
- Click here to see what to do next…
Quickly Print your Document
Did you know you can print your Word, Excel, PowerPoint, or PDF file
without even opening it. Simply right-click (Command + Click
on the Mac) and choose Print.
Deleting Files
Here's a question for you, when is deleting a file not really deleting
a file? The answer is always until you empty the Recycle Bin
(Windows) or Trash (Mac OS). Let me explain...
When you delete a file in Windows or Mac OS, the file is moved to the Recycle Bin or Trash respectively. The Recycle Bin/Trash is kind of like purgatory for your computer files in that they cannot be used (opened, edited, saved, or printed) but they aren't permanently deleted either. Why you might ask? Well, this gives you a chance to get the file back if you inadvertently deleted it or just changed your mind. It's kind of a fail safe method. But if you are ready to delete those files for good, read on to see how it's done.
Windows
- To permanently delete files you've put in the Recycle Bin, right click on the Recycle Bin icon and select Empty Recycle Bin as pictured below.
Mac OS
- To permanently delete a file you've put in the Trash, Click the Finder menu then select Empty Trash as pictured below.
Passwords: Your First Line of Defense
Passwords are a necessity of life these days. However, passwords are
effective only as long as you use ones that are easy to remember and
difficult to "break," and that are changed on a regular basis.
Did you know that anyone with a little bit of technical know-how can
download a program off the Internet and use it to break weak passwords?
These programs use wage attacks that
try every possible combination of words and letters to break into your
account. The best way to combat this very real threat is to write strong
passwords. The following simple rules for writing and using strong
passwords will keep you more secure, decreasing the chance
of compromise. So, is your password strong or weak?
Strong Passwords:
- Are 8 or more characters long
- Contain combination of upper and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols ($ch00LrU135 = school rules)
- Are pass-phrases: Choose a line or two from a song or poem and use the first letter of each word. For example, "It is the East, and Juliet is the Sun" becomes "IstE,@J1tS"
- Are changed on a regular basis
- Are easy to remember and are not written down
- Are not used over and over again for different programs and websites
- Are typed quickly, making it harder for someone to steal by eavesdropping
Weak Passwords:
- Contain your login, your name, your maiden name, your spouse's name, your children's names or your pets' names in any form as your password
- Contain publicly accessible information about yourself, such as social security number, license numbers, phone numbers, address, birthdays, etc.
- Contain a word found in a dictionary of any language
- Are made of all numbers or all the same letter
- Are saved in the "Remember Password" function on mail or website browsers
- Are written down
- Are shared with others
Summary
Passwords make it as difficult as possible for someone else to access
your information. If you follow the strong password practices outlined
above by writing strong passwords or pass-phrases, changing them frequently
(every 3-6 months), and keeping them safe from others by not sharing
them or writing them down, you will be able to keep your computer and
your personal information-such as your banking and credit card information-safe.
(Information courtesy of The Center for Education and Research in Information Assurance and Security at Purdue University)
Setting a Windows Password
With the temporary move to Bromfield for the Ovalwood renovation you might want
to consider securing your system better with a password. In fact, you
might want to consider this regardless. The process is rather simple
once you know where to go to set the password.
- Click the Start button
- Select Settings > Control Panels
- In the Control Panels double-click User Accounts
- Click your account (it's likely labled with you name with computer administrator under it)
- Click Create Password
- Enter the password twice and a hint question.
- Click the Create Password button
- Click the No button when asked about making your files private (since it's the only account on the machine)
Click here to see a demo of how this is done.
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