The Windows XP operating system of Windows provides a feature for its users in the sense that it has the ability to save passwords for websites and network resources. Although this provides convenience to its users who do not need to enter their passwords repeatedly for the website they log into regularly, it poses security threats for them. This is because anyone who has physical access to your computer would be able to log into your machine and visit those websites containing your saved credentials.
People who often visit cyber cafes for surfing the web and checking their emails are also often at risk in such cases. If the Internet café has a Windows XP OS installed, then it may save their login information that can be accessed by the next user who visits the same website.
Instructions for deleting saved passwords in XP
By following the below instructions, you can be ensured that the passwords that had been earlier saved are completely removed on a given system with Windows XP.
Through the Control Panel:
Step 1: You need to sign into your Windows XP with your administrator account; then click on ‘start’ and select ‘Control Panel’.
Step 2: Select ‘User Accounts’ and then choose the user whose stored passwords you want to delete. This would open the user account box.
Step 3: Click on the option that says ‘Advanced’, and select ‘Manage Passwords’.
Step 4: There you can view the stored usernames and passwords and on the right pane you would see the associated domain name.
Step 5: Then click on the password you wish to delete and then click on ‘Remove’. Repeat the step for all passwords and click on OK when you are finished.
Through a graphical interface:
Step 1: Click on the ‘start’ button on the desktop and then select ‘Run’.
Step 2: Type ‘rundll32.exe keymgr.dll, KRShowKeyMgr’ in the Open field type.
Step 3: Once the interface containing the stored Usernames and Passwords opens, you can select any of the entries and select Properties for viewing the existing information.
Step 4: For removing a saved password, you can select any one of the entries and select ‘Remove’. This would open a confirmation screen; click on OK and the account would be removed.
Step 5: By clicking on the ‘Add’ button and entering the appropriate information, you can also add additional saved passwords.
Step 6: Once you are done using the interface, click on the Close button.
Through the web browser:
Step 1: Open the web browser (preferably an Internet Explorer) by double clicking on it.
Step 2: Click on the ‘Safety’ tab just next to Page’, and select the option of ‘Delete Browsing History’.
Step 3: Check the box next to the option of ‘Passwords’ and select the option of ‘Delete’. This way the passwords that are automatically filled in while logging on to a website are removed.
Thus, there are several ways in which the passwords can not only be removed but added and edited as well, especially when it comes to following the ‘graphical interface’ method.
