In Windows XP, even if you set passwords on your accounts, an office snoop can use Safe Mode to get in. You can protect your computer through the following steps:

Steps:

1. Print this page for reference.
2. Restart the computer. Repeatedly press the F8 key until the Advanced Boot Options screen appears. Select the Safe Mode option using the up and down arrow keys, then press the ENTER key. Choose "Windows XP Home/Professional", depending on the version of the operating system. Press ENTER. Shortly, the welcome screen should show.
3. Log in as "Administrator". Click Yes to not use System Restore Mode.
4. Click the Start button. Choose Run and type in "control userpasswords" (without the quotes). Click OK.
5. Select the "Administrator" user. Click Change my password. Enter a new password in the corresponding text boxes. Click OK. Write this password down and store it in a secure place. I do not recommend that a password hint be used.
6. Close the User Accounts window and restart Windows.

Tips:

• You can further improve your security by enabling the BIOS password protection and changing your boot order to use floppies and CDs after the hard disk. Note that this does not prevent attacks which involve removing the hard drive or clearing the CMOS settings. Read your computer manual before performing any of these changes.
• If removing hard disks and/or clearing CMOS memory is a concern, Windows's file encryption should be used, especially for strictly confidential documents.
• If you have an administrators account you can change the administrator password in normal mode; Click the Start button. Choose Run and type in "control userpasswords2" (without the quotes). Click OK, then click the administrator username in the list and click Reset Password.

Warnings:

• The Administrator password may be needed if you need to remove viruses or spyware. Therefore, you must record this password.
• This is not a substitute for Windows Update. You must keep Windows current to avoid Internet worms.