In reply to a post by TinyMongomery:

The one that stores account passwords.

On windows? if so i don't use it, I don't have a password on my computer.

Your choice to use Windows.

You are right, well kind of, when I first started using I did so because CBM had gone belly up and the Amiga was no more, so I got a Windows machine, Macs were way out of my price range then, even if I thought about getting one.
Over the years I have stayed with windows, because of software I have got, also Macs were still out of my price range, and also they used intel chips. Linux i have tried a few times and while I like Linux, the software is not there and it can be a pain sometimes, I just want something that works, certainly these days.
Also, when I first started to use Windows there were none of this we want to know all about rubbish, with telemetry and accounts.
I used to have a Hotmail account, because that was the thing years ago, mainly for MS messenger, then it was required for Windows 8, because Ms tried this you must have an account before on Windows 8, but then they have done away with that. It was at that time that I decided I did not need a hotmail account, so I never used it, by now it will have ceased to exist, If I knew Ms was going to get this bad, I suppose i should have noticed the signs, but anyway, if I knew they were going to get this bad, I would have mucked around with linux a bit more.

I have been on the verge of changing to a Mac on my next update, Ms have pushed me closer to it, they don't force you to have an Apple I.D account, they push it, but don't force it. I think this machine will stay as it is now until the end of it's life, and Windows 10 will stay on here.

In reply to a post by zyborg47:

On windows? if so i don't use it, I don't have a password on my computer.

Wow - that's really secure.

You are actually still using a password - it's just that you choose a blank one. Almost as good as "passw0rd".

In reply to a post by TinyMongomery:

In reply to a post by zyborg47:

On windows? if so i don't use it, I don't have a password on my computer.

Wow - that's really secure.

You are actually still using a password - it's just that you choose a blank one. Almost as good as "passw0rd".

Why do I need a password on my computer? I am the only person at home.

In reply to a post by zyborg47:

In reply to a post by TinyMongomery:

In reply to a post by zyborg47:

On windows? if so i don't use it, I don't have a password on my computer.

Wow - that's really secure.

You are actually still using a password - it's just that you choose a blank one. Almost as good as "passw0rd".

Why do I need a password on my computer? I am the only person at home.

And in your neck of the woods you don't have bad lads that come into other people's houses when there is no one in to help find a new home for the personal property which they find in the house?

The bad lads don't even need to come into the house. They can walk through the open door from thousands of miles away and take what they want. And they leave no evidence of their visit.

In reply to a post by TinyMongomery:

The bad lads don't even need to come into the house. They can walk through the open door from thousands of miles away and take what they want. And they leave no evidence of their visit.

And an OS logon isn't going to change that. OS logon is sensible when using disk encryption and potential for multi-user separation, and with modern Windows laptops using TPM for Bitlocker encryption keys the OS logon is important, but many corporates use Windows Hello (e.g. PIN / Fingerprint / Face scan) these days.

Data security to protect against those bad guys over the network is where you deploy defence-in-depth, including multiple backup types, including online and offline.

In reply to a post by GonePostal:

And in your neck of the woods you don't have bad lads that come into other people's houses when there is no one in to help find a new home for the personal property which they find in the house?

Nah, my next door neighbour will scare them away . It is pretty quiet here, to be honest, and I have enough cameras outside that should put most of them off.

In reply to a post by TinyMongomery:

The bad lads don't even need to come into the house. They can walk through the open door from thousands of miles away and take what they want. And they leave no evidence of their visit.

As jchamier posted, a OS password is not going to stop them,

A password not stored locally is a good deterrant. It wouldn't stop someone who is really determined for ever, but casual hackers will just move on to an easier target.

It's like locking your house or your car. It doesn't prevent a determined intruder but, unless there is something special about your house or car, why should they bother when there are easier pickings.

If the aim is to steal your data, backups are irrelevant.

Despite your advice, I'll continue to use passwords on my computers, I'll continue to lock my car, and I'll lock the house whilst I'm out. And I'll continue to be vaccinated against Flu, Covid, and whatever else the NHS has to offer.

Little in life is certain but it's sensible to tip the odds in your favour as far as is possible.