If you take your laptop on the road, as a precaution you should assign passwords to user accounts and sensitive files. To password-protect a user account, open the Control Panel, click User Accounts, click User Accounts again, and click the user account you want to change. Click Create A Password and provide a password. Give yourself a hint if you need one.
You can also password-protect files and folders in Windows XP if you compress them. On your Desktop (or at the folder or file level of a resource you are viewing in My Computer) right-click an empty space and select New, then Compressed (Zipped) Folder. Cut and paste files you want to protect to that folder. Double-click the folder to open it and then select Add A Password from the file menu. You may also be able to password protect individual files through the programs that create them, so check your documentation for details.
Also, consider creating a limited (not an administrator) account to use when you travel. (Return to User Accounts for that feature.) That way if a hacker gains access to your notebook while you are online, he won't be able to execute program code. Finally, you can assign access restrictions to individual files and folders. Open Windows Explorer, right-click the files or folders, select Properties, and click the Security tab.
