With the pandemic undermining traditional work structures and forcing many employees to work from home, many of us have developed an interest in on-the-go working methods. Some people use smartphones and other handheld devices to attend meetings, while many use laptop computers for the majority of work-related tasks.
When your laptop is running on Windows, you have a few options for logging in. Several factors must be considered when selecting one of these processes. Knowing how easy it is for you to access your laptop or desktop and how easy it is for someone else to gain access is an important consideration.
Your Windows Sign-in Options
According to Microsoft Support, there are various sign-in options available that you should be knowledgeable of, so decide on one sensibly. The best one for you will rely on how your computer is configured and how secure you want it to be. The same helpdesk instructs us on how to activate the aforementioned sign-in options.
Windows provides a number of secure sign-in options with varying levels of security. In that vein, here is a rundown of the aforementioned sign-in options.
Security Key - A security key is a hardware device that users can use to sign in to online platforms instead of their username and password. However, the security key is frequently used in conjunction with fingerprint locks or PINs.
Dynamic Lock - Windows informed us that we could set up Windows devices to lock automatically when the Bluetooth signal from a paired device drops below the maximum Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) value using a dynamic lock. This increases the difficulty for others to access your device if you leave your PC unlocked while you are away from it. While this is a clever way to stay secure, Windows provides a more advanced option.
Windows 10 was released in 2015, along with Windows Hello, a feature that relies on user ID verification as well as the use of fingerprint and facial recognition to access specific online sites. The goal of Windows Hello is to make the operating system more user-friendly and safer as a whole.
Windows 10 Fingerprint Authentication
Your fingerprints are personally identifiable, making them a secure method of logging into your computer. It's also much simpler than remembering a password. LaptopMag tells us that you can now configure Windows Hello to use the fingerprint reader built into your laptop.
How To Set up Windows Hello Fingerprint Logins
If you follow these steps, you can easily configure your laptop computer to activate Windows Hello fingerprint logins.
- To access the said options, users must first open "Settings." Afterward, they need to navigate to the "Accounts" option.
- Users then need to scroll down to find "Windows Hello" before clicking the "Set Up" option in the Fingerprint section.
- If the user does not have a PIN yet, they will need to set one up first to activate the fingerprint reader.
- When you have already secured a PIN, click "Get Started." After that, be ready to type your PIN.
- A fingerprint reader will then appear. Be sure to scan your finger on the fingerprint reader. Follow every instruction stated.
- Users might need to do the procedure multiple times to give the scanner a good picture of the prints. Next, click "Add Another" to register another finger before closing the program.
According to TechRepublic, if a laptop lacks an integrated fingerprint reader, users can easily add one with a USB dongle or stick. It is also a good idea to get a USB reader that plugs directly into a side USB port. When necessary, users can simply press or swipe their finger on the sensor.
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