Vera
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Posts: 152 
Former World Start Member: Yes
World Start Name: verae
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Post by Vera on Feb 7, 2023 19:08:57 GMT -5
My husband wants to take his laptop in for repairs. He uses it to keep track of bank accounts etc. What should we do to protect our privacy? It's an older HP laptop running Windows 10.
thanks for any advice.
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Post by jholland1964 on Feb 7, 2023 20:23:59 GMT -5
What type of repair is being done? Does he personally know the person doing the repairs? If he's really concerned about somebody accessing his bank accounts then he could remove all references to them from the computer before taking it in for repairs though this seems a bit radical to me but it is something he can do. If he doesn't trust the repair shop then I wouldn't advise using it.
Baring removing everything having to do with the bank accounts from the computer there are several things to do, of course the first thing is USE STRONG AND UNIQUE PASSWORD and NEVER the same one you use for anywhere else.
Second thing is if your bank allows it then ENABLE TWO-FACTOR AUTHENTICATION. Two-factor authentication means you not only need a password, passcode or biometrics logon such as a fingerprint or facial scan to confirm only you can access your accounts, but you also receive a one-time code to your mobile phone to type in.
In other words, two-factor authentication combines something you know, your password, with something you have, your smartphone.
If he has an icon for the bank on the desktop he can delete it. He can also remove a bookmark for it from his browser. He can always get both back once he gets the computer back.
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Vera
Member
Posts: 152
Former World Start Member: Yes
World Start Name: verae
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Post by Vera on Feb 7, 2023 20:53:17 GMT -5
The laptop is old and still has a fan which is quite loud so he wants to convert it to an SS hard drive. We have dealt with this shop since 1998 and have no complaints. He also has a password before he can access it. I would think the shop would need to know that password.
so far my husband is still "thinking" about switching but I was wondering what a person needs to do before taking a laptop for repairs.
Thanks very much for your quick reply, it's appreciated
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Post by budgall on Feb 8, 2023 0:44:47 GMT -5
If you have been using this person since 1998 I wouldn't be worried about trusting him. I would assume the only password he would need is the login password, I assume and hope that that password in not the same as your bank passwords.
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Vera
Member
Posts: 152
Former World Start Member: Yes
World Start Name: verae
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Post by Vera on Feb 9, 2023 13:21:47 GMT -5
Thanks for all replies. He is not quite ready to take the laptop in. I think I will make sure all icons for banks etc. are deleted when the time comes.
Vera
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Post by budgall on Feb 9, 2023 15:12:38 GMT -5
Vera deleting the icons will not increase security. Clicking on the icons only tells your web browser to load the banks webpage. A user then still needs to enter the the user name and password to access the account. I am assuming that you have not saved your username and password in your web browser so that you automatically log in to your account
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Post by jholland1964 on Feb 9, 2023 15:16:27 GMT -5
Vera deleting the icons will not increase security. Clicking on the icons only tells your web browser to load the banks webpage. A user then still needs to enter the the user name and password to access the account. I am assuming that you have not saved your username and password in your web browser so that you automatically log in to your account Sure she was responding to my earlier post. I had mentioned removing the icons from the desktop really so as not to let a person easily know the computer was used for banking. I was told to do this years ago, don't put icon shortcuts to banks, etc. on the desktop. Just save them in bookmarks. Yes a person can & likely would go through bookmarks but then again maybe they won't. Having the icon on the desktop tells somebody that yes, this computer is used to reach this bank. |
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Vera
Member
Posts: 152
Former World Start Member: Yes
World Start Name: verae
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Post by Vera on Feb 9, 2023 16:34:23 GMT -5
We have several bank accounts in the bookmarks and can access without writing the passwords ☹️. I suppose I should stop the passwords from entering automatically. But how??? 🤨
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Post by budgall on Feb 9, 2023 22:57:58 GMT -5
We have several bank accounts in the bookmarks and can access without writing the passwords ☹️. I suppose I should stop the passwords from entering automatically. But how??? 🤨 Your signature says you use Edge as a browser. I have never used Edge so I'm not sure how it handles saved passwords. I would recommend that you go into the Edge setting and look for security/password setting and adjust accordingly so that you must manually type in the password. I believe Judy uses Edge so she can probably tell you what needs changing.
Bud |
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Post by Everton on Feb 10, 2023 7:46:09 GMT -5
To disable automatic filling in of passwords in Edge go to Settings (click on the 3 dots top right of browser) Then Select "Settings"
Open Profiles (its the first on the list) from there select "Passwords"
From there you can toggle off "Autofill Passwords"
Then click on More Settings and from there disable "Show the "Reveal password" button in password fields"
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Post by budgall on Feb 10, 2023 14:06:39 GMT -5
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Vera
Member
Posts: 152
Former World Start Member: Yes
World Start Name: verae
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Post by Vera on Feb 11, 2023 10:32:39 GMT -5
It's done! We took the laptop to the shop and it now has a new SS hard drive and even a usable battery. I disabled automatic autofill passwords before I took it in. Dropped it off yesterday morning and got it back in the afternoon. It is super fast now and all seems to be well.
Thanks for all your help. I really appreciate it.
Vera
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Post by jholland1964 on Feb 11, 2023 10:33:49 GMT -5
Wonderful! Glad all is fixed!
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Post by budgall on Feb 11, 2023 19:03:38 GMT -5
Happy to hear all is well
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