It is common to have a password set to enter Windows. If you don’t have it, you should. Especially, it is useful if it is a laptop and you use it outside the home. If you don’t have a password, anyone could get in. This would happen if you lost it, it was stolen, or you simply left it on a library table and went out for a moment. But what does it mean to set a password also at the BIOS level? That is what we are going to explain in this article.
It’s about creating an extra layer. You are going to set an additional password to the Windows one, so the system will be more protected. This will avoid problems, in case someone has physical access to your laptop. It will be very useful as an additional measure and can protect not only Windows, or the operating system you have, but the entire computer.
What is BIOS
But what exactly is this BIOS? They are the acronym, in English, of the Basic Entry and Exit System. Basically, it is the firmware to start the computer. It is the first thing that starts when you turn on your computer, before Windows or the OS you have installed. Sometimes it is important to change some BIOS settings for optimal performance.
When you set a password to the BIOS, you will have to enter that key as soon as you start the computer. No changes could be made to the configuration, nor could anything be modified that could affect the operation of the computer or even compromise privacy or security. It is one more protection measure.
This doesn’t mean you can’t use a password for Windows as well. In fact, the two can coexist perfectly. This way, you will have a double layer of protection to prevent any intruder from entering your computer and seeing everything you have stored, sneaking in a virus, etc.
There are situations in which it is convenient to have this extra protection. For example, it will be useful if you usually work in a coworking, frequently go to a library, university, or any place where you leave your laptop unattended. This will provide that extra security and will prevent anyone from accessing the BIOS and making any changes.
Use a good password
To set a password to the BIOS, the first thing you will have to do is access it. It will depend on the brand of your laptop, but it is usually by pressing one of the following keys: F1, F2, F10, Del or Esc. Once this is done, you will have to go to the Security section and enter Password or Password.
It will ask you to enter a password twice, which will be the one you are going to assign to the BIOS. Our advice is that you use a good password that really protects you. As always, you should avoid using simple passwords, such as 1234, your name, and the like. Don’t make mistakes, as you could be exposing your security.
A good password is one that is completely random. You shouldn’t use the same one you put in Windows either. This would be a mistake, since it could produce what is known as a domino effect, in case someone were to find out the password in one of the two cases and try in the other.
