In today's digital age, securing user accounts on Windows systems is crucial to protect sensitive data and prevent unauthorized access. This article will guide you through various methods to enhance account security on Windows, using built-in tools and commands.

Understanding Account Security

Account security involves protecting user accounts from unauthorized access and ensuring that only legitimate users can access the system. This includes setting strong passwords, enabling two-factor authentication, and managing user privileges effectively.

Examples

1. Setting Strong Passwords

   A strong password is the first line of defense against unauthorized access. Windows allows you to enforce password policies using the Group Policy Editor.

   • Using Group Policy Editor:
     1. Press Win + R, type gpedit.msc, and press Enter.
     2. Navigate to Computer Configuration -> Windows Settings -> Security Settings -> Account Policies -> Password Policy.
     3. Set policies such as "Minimum password length" and "Password must meet complexity requirements".

2. Enabling Two-Factor Authentication

   Two-factor authentication (2FA) adds an extra layer of security. Although Windows does not have built-in 2FA for local accounts, you can use Microsoft accounts with 2FA enabled for logging into Windows.

   • Setting up Microsoft Account 2FA:
     1. Go to the Microsoft account security page.
     2. Select "Two-step verification" and follow the instructions to enable it.

3. Managing User Privileges

   Limiting user privileges reduces the risk of accidental or malicious changes to the system.

   • Using Command Prompt to Manage User Accounts:
     • To list all user accounts, open CMD and type:

       net user

     • To change a user's group membership:

       net localgroup Administrators [username] /add

       Replace [username] with the actual username to add them to the Administrators group.

4. Using PowerShell for Account Management

   PowerShell provides powerful cmdlets for managing user accounts.

   • Example: Creating a New User Account

     New-LocalUser -Name "NewUser" -Description "Standard User" -NoPassword

   • Example: Setting Password Expiration

     Set-LocalUser -Name "NewUser" -PasswordNeverExpires $false

5. Auditing Account Logins

   Monitoring login attempts can help detect unauthorized access.

   • Enable Audit Logon Events:
     1. Open gpedit.msc.
     2. Navigate to Computer Configuration -> Windows Settings -> Security Settings -> Local Policies -> Audit Policy.
     3. Enable "Audit logon events" for success and failure.