Laptops are our personal computer, today, these notebooks carry a host of personal and sensitive info – like cherished pics and confidential documents. Given those who travel with their devices regularly, no stone can be left unturned when protecting this data. It does provide some protection if they’re operating system passwords, and the bad guys can’t manage to get past that, but it isn’t rock solid protection. Adding a BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) password gives a vital extra defense against unwanted access from the getgo.
Why Set a BIOS Password?
The first line of defense against a BIOS password is a prompting of the user to provide authentication, before the operating system loads. So if someone tries to boot your laptop from an external device, or change BIOS settings to change configuration, they would be stopped if the password given is not the right one. Laptops are much more prone to theft or unauthorised access when you’re on the go, so this is especially important for travellers.
How to Activate a BIOS Password
Activating a BIOS password should be a simple matter of doing so, but can be slightly different again based on your manufacturer’s laptop. Here’s a general guide:
Access the BIOS Setup Utility:
- Restart your laptop.
- At startup, the key corresponding to the BIOS setup is pressed. For example the common keys are F2, Delete, and Esc. Find what key goes with the specific
- keyboard usage: refer to your laptop’s manual.
Navigate to the Security Settings:
Press down the F2 key then press enter to enter into the BIOS menu and locate the Security tab.
Set the Password:
- Then choose the option ‘Set Supervisor Password’ or ‘Set user Password’.
- Enter your desired password. Make sure it is strong but recognisable.
- When asked for the password, confirm it.
Save and Exit:
- Navigate to the “Exit” tab.
- Pick “Save Changes and Exit”
- You will be rebooted and the BIOS password will be on.
Additional Security Measures
While a BIOS password enhances security, combining it with other measures offers more robust protection:
Enable BitLocker Encryption:
Build in to Windows, BitLocker encrypts your hard drive, protecting your data from intruders.
To activate BitLocker:
- Click on “Control Panel” —> “System and Security” —> “BitLocker Drive Encryption.”
- Click on Turn on BitLocker and follow the prompts.
Use Third-Party Encryption Tools:
If you need something more security, check tools like VeraCrypt to encrypt your data on some specific place.
VeraCrypt can be downloaded and installed by you from its official website.
Put confidential files inside by creating new encrypted volume.
Considerations and Limitations.
One thing to know is BIOS password itself doesn’t make your system 100% secured against the unauthorised access. However, there is a means for the technically savvy to bypass it altogether: resetting the BIOS settings, which the latter can reach by removing the CMOS battery from the motherboard. However, due to physical access and technical knowhow, it actually acts as a deterrent to most unauthorised users.
Finally, last, setting a BIOS password is a proactive step you can take to help secure your laptop if you’re not travelling constantly. Used in conjunction with encryption utilities such as BitLocker or VeraCrypt, it builds the layers of a robust security approach to keep your personal and confidential data safe from the seizing hands of the sneaking eyes.