Do you need to password protect your browser?
If you happen to be lucky enough to own a PC or laptop that only you use, the answer is no. But not everyone is that fortunate.
Sharing your PC
A lot of families share a single PC. Therefore, user privacy is pretty important. That’s why it’s a great idea to password protect your browser.
It’s not hard to do. Here is a quick guide on how to do it for the most popular browsers: Internet Explorer, Chrome and Firefox.
Internet Explorer
- In Internet Explorer click on the cog icon in the top right-hand corner
- A drop-down menu appears – click on Tools and then in the box that appears click on the ‘Content’ tab at the top
- Then enable the Content Advisor. Click OK and enter a Default Supervisor password
- The next step is to set the password
- To do so, click on Settings and then General tab in the Content Advisor
- Tick the second user option which says “The supervisor password allows you to…”
- Click on Change Password and Choose a password
- There is also a rating slider you can use. If you slide it to ‘None’ no website can be opened without a password
The content control in the Internet Explorer browser is now password protected. It’s also worth noting that you will be prompted for your password every time you access the content control panel.
Chrome
- Password protecting the Chrome Browser is done by installing a simple extension
- This is called the Simple Startup Password. Just click on the link and install it
- After installation click on the spanner icon next to the address bar
- Then go to Options and then Extension Tab
- Search for Simple Startup Password, click on the Options for that Extension and then enter your password
- Next time you use Chrome a box will appear asking you to ‘Enter browser startup password’
Firefox
Firefox provides the option to set up a master password for entering the stored passwords you may have asked it to save for websites or online accounts you use frequently. You can stop other people accessing these stored passwords by setting up a master password.
- Go to the Menu bar and the three horizontal lines in the far right corner
- Click on this and from the drop-down menu choose Options
- In the options window on the left-hand side, you will see Privacy & Security
- Click on this and tick the master password box
- In the box that appears enter your password
The next time you open Firefox, you will be prompted to enter the master password when you try to enter stored passwords into websites.
That’s all there is to it.
MPM Computer Consultancy provides IT Services, Support and Training to sole traders and small businesses in Ipswich. Bury St Edmunds and surrounding villages