Ctrl-Alt-Del vs Standby 1

[pdonahoe]

My company wants us to lock our computers (with Win XP) while we are away from our desks (for security purposes). My boss says we should use the "Standby" option; I suggested the Ctrl-Alt-Del -> Lock Computer method. My boss says they are the same. What do you recommend? Why?

Thanks!

 

[bcastner]

If 'Prompt for password when resuming from standby' is checkmarked, from a security perspective both Lock your computer and Standby are identical.

(By the way, Windows Key + L is faster than Ctrl-Alt-Del)

Standby takes a longer time to get working again, and can cause issues with some network adapters and network connections. It does obviously take less power.

Why not set the power options so that if the computer is Locked for xx minutes, it enters Standby. You both win.

 

[Jump1ng]

I would recommend the lock computer method as standby uses up some hard drive space for the hibernation file which is the size of your ram.

Also if you set your screen save to require password it will kick in even if the users forget to lock the machine when they leave it.

I know you can have it go into standby in the same way but I seen user struggle to get the machine to wake up from standby and they lose the information they where working on when they left the desk wheras if the workstation are only locked its just a matter of unlocking it which is a bit quicker than resume from standby.


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Make the best use of what is in your power, and take the rest as it happens.

 

[pdonahoe]

Thanks to you all for the prompt and helpful answers; I will relay the suggestions to my boss and see where that goes .

 

[Madawc]

The average computer uses less power than a lightbulb even when it's being used. As the others said, a lock is quite adequate.

Madawc Williams (East Anglia, UK)

 

[Turkbear]

Hi,
On my XP Pro system ( and on my Home one as well)
WindowsKey + L does absolutely nothing..What am I missing?

 

[bcastner]

Turkbear,

Is Fast User Switching enabled?

http://www.windows-help.net/WindowsXP/howto-02.html