NOTICE: Before you buy an antitheft device, ensure that it will work with the security cable slot on your Tablet-PC.
NOTE: Your Tablet-PC does not ship with a security cable lock.
A security cable lock is a commercially available antitheft device. To use the lock, attach it to the security cable slot on your Tablet-PC. For more information, see the instructions included with the device.
Smart cards are portable credit-card shaped devices with internal integrated circuits. Using smart cards can improve system security by combining something a user has (the smart card) with something only the user should know (a PIN) to provide more secure user-authentication than passwords alone. See Smart Cards for more information.
A biometric reader is a strip sensor located on your Tablet-PC's display. When you slide your finger over the reader, it uses your unique fingerprint to authenticate your user identity and help keep your Tablet-PC secure.
NOTE: You must purchase optional software in order to configure and use your biometric reader. See the documentation that ships with the biometric software for further information.
Passwords
About Passwords
NOTE: Passwords are disabled when you receive your Tablet-PC.
A primary (or system) password, an administrator password, and a hard drive password all prevent unauthorized access to your Tablet-PC in different ways. The following table identifies types and features of passwords available on your Tablet-PC.
Type of Password
Features
Primary (or system)
Protects the Tablet-PC from unauthorized access
Administrator
Gives system administrators or service technicians access to Tablet-PCs for repair or reconfiguration
Allows you to restrict access to system setup in the same way a primary password restricts access to the Tablet-PC
Can be used instead of the primary password
Hard drive
Helps protect the data on your hard drive or external hard drive (if one is being used) from unauthorized access
NOTE: Some hard drives do not support hard drive passwords.
NOTICE: Passwords provide a high level of security for data in your Tablet-PC or hard drive. However, they are not foolproof. If you require more security, obtain and use additional forms of protection, such as smart cards, data encryption programs, or PC Cards with encryption features.
When using passwords, observe the following guidelines:
Choose passwords that you can remember, but not ones that are easy to guess. For example, do not use the names of family members or pets for passwords.
It is recommended that you do not write down passwords. If you do write it down, however, ensure that the password is stored in a secure place.
Do not share passwords with other people.
Ensure that people are not watching you when you type your password.
If you forget any of your passwords, contact Dell (see Contacting Dell). For your protection, Dell technical support staff will ask you for proof of your identity to ensure that only an authorized person can use the Tablet-PC.
Using a Primary (or System) Password
The primary password allows you to protect the Tablet-PC from unauthorized access.
When you first start your Tablet-PC, you must assign a primary password at the prompt.
If you do not enter a password within 2 minutes, the Tablet-PC returns to its previous operating state.
NOTICE: If you disable the administrator password, the primary password is also disabled.
To add or change passwords, access User Accounts from the Control Panel.
If you have assigned an administrator password, you can use it instead of the primary password. The Tablet-PC does not specifically prompt you for the administrator password.
Using an Administrator Password
The administrator password is designed to give system administrators or service technicians access to computers for repair or reconfiguration. The administrators or technicians can assign identical administrator passwords to groups of computers, allowing you to assign a unique primary password.
To set or change administrator passwords, access User Accounts from the Control Panel.
When you set an administrator password, the Configure Setup option becomes available in system setup. The Configure Setup option allows you to restrict access to system setup in the same way that a primary password restricts access to the Tablet-PC.
The administrator password can be used instead of the primary password. Whenever you are prompted to enter the primary password, you can enter the administrator password.
NOTICE: If you disable the administrator password, the primary password is also disabled.
NOTE: The administrator password provides access to the Tablet-PC, but it does not provide access to the hard drive when a hard drive password is assigned.
If you forget the primary password and do not have an administrator password assigned, or if you have both a primary and an administrator password assigned but forget them both, contact your system administrator or contact Dell (see Contacting Dell).
Using a Hard Drive Password
The hard drive password helps protect the data on your hard drive from unauthorized access. You can also assign a password for an external hard drive (if one is being used) that can be the same as or different from the password for the primary hard drive.
After assigning a hard drive password, you must enter it each time you turn on the Tablet-PC and each time you restore the Tablet-PC to normal operation from sleep, standby, or hibernate mode.
If the hard drive password is enabled, you must enter it each time you turn on the Tablet-PC: A message appears asking for the hard drive password.
To continue, enter your password (with no more than eight characters) and press <Enter>.
If you do not enter a password within 2 minutes, the Tablet-PC returns to its previous operating state.
If you enter the wrong password, a message tells you that the password is invalid. Press <Enter> to try again.
If you do not enter the correct password in three attempts, the Tablet-PC tries to start from another bootable device if the Boot First Device option in system setup is set to allow start-up from another device. If the Boot First Device option is not set to allow the Tablet-PC to start from another device, the Tablet-PC returns to the operating state it was in when you turned it on.
If the hard drive password, the external hard drive password, and the primary password are the same, the Tablet-PC prompts you only for the primary password. If the hard drive password is different from the primary password, the Tablet-PC prompts you for both. Two different passwords provide greater security.
NOTE: The administrator password provides access to the Tablet-PC, but it does not provide access to the hard drive when a hard drive password is assigned.
Trusted Platform Module (TPM)
NOTE: Computers shipping into China are not equipped with the TPM feature.
NOTE: The TPM feature supports encryption only if the operating system supports TPM. For more information, see the TPM software documentation and the help files that came with the software.
TPM is a hardware-based security feature that can be used to create and manage computer-generated encryption keys. When combined with security software, the TPM enhances existing network and computer security by enabling features such as file protection capabilities and protected e-mail. The TPM feature is enabled through a system setup option.
NOTICE: To secure your TPM data and encryption keys, follow the backup procedures documented in the Broadcom Secure Foundation Getting Started Guide. In the event of these backups being incomplete, lost, or damaged, Dell will be unable to assist in the recovery of encrypted data.
Enabling the TPM Feature
Enable the TPM software:
Restart the Tablet-PC and press <F2> during the Power On Self Test
to enter the system setup program.
Select Security®TPM Security and press <Enter>.
Under TPM Security, select On.
Press <Esc> to exit the setup program.
If prompted, click Save/Exit.
Activate the TPM setup program:
Restart the Tablet-PC and press <F2> during the Power On Self Test
to enter the system setup program.
Select Security®TPM Activation and press <Enter>.
Under TPM Activation, select Activate and press <Enter>.
NOTE: You only need to activate the program once.
Once the process is complete, the Tablet-PC either restarts
automatically or prompts you to restart your Tablet-PC.
Security Management Software
The security management software is designed to use four different features to help you secure your Tablet-PC:
Log-in management
Pre-boot authentication (using a biometric reader, smart card, or password)
Encryption
Private information management
Activating the Security Management Software
NOTE: You must first enable the TPM in order for the security management software to have full functionality.
When the DELL™ logo appears, press <F2> immediately. If you wait
too long and the Windows logo appears, continue to wait until you see
the Windows desktop. Then shut down your Tablet-PC and try again.
In the drop-down menu, select Wave EMBASSY Trust Suite and press
<Enter> to create the icons for the software components on the
Tablet-PC desktop.
Press <Esc> to exit the setup program.
If prompted, click Save/Exit.
Using the Security Management Software
For information about how to use the software and the different security features, see the Getting Started Guide for the software. To access the Getting Started Guide:
In Windows® Vista®, click Start® All Programs® Wave EMBASSY Trust Suite® Getting Started Guide.
In Windows XP, click Start® All Programs® Security by Wave Systems® Getting Started with EMBASSY Trust Suite.
Computer Tracking Software
Computer tracking software may enable you to locate your Tablet-PC if it is lost or stolen. The software is optional and may be purchased when you order your Dell™ Tablet-PC, or you can contact your Dell sales representative for information about this security feature.
NOTE: Computer tracking software may not be available in certain countries.
NOTE: If you have computer tracking software and your Tablet-PC is lost or stolen, you must contact the company that provides the tracking service to report the missing Tablet-PC.
If Your Tablet-PC Is Lost or Stolen
Call a law enforcement agency to report the lost or stolen Tablet-PC. Include the Service Tag in your description of the Tablet-PC. Ask that a case number be assigned and write down the number, along with the name, address, and phone number of the law enforcement agency. If possible, obtain the name of the investigating officer.
NOTE: If you know where the Tablet-PC was lost or stolen, call a law enforcement agency in that area. If you do not know, call a law enforcement agency where you live.
If the Tablet-PC belongs to a company, notify the security office of the company.
Contact Dell customer service to report the missing Tablet-PC. Provide the Tablet-PC Service Tag, the case number, and the name, address, and phone number of the law enforcement agency to which you reported the missing Tablet-PC. If possible, give the name of the investigating officer.
The Dell customer service representative will log your report under the Tablet-PC Service Tag and record the Tablet-PC as missing or stolen. If someone calls Dell for technical assistance and gives your Service Tag, the Tablet-PC is identified automatically as missing or stolen. The representative will attempt to get the phone number and address of the caller. Dell will then contact the law enforcement agency to which you reported the missing Tablet-PC.
