Password protect your computer with a bar code reader

Barcode readers can be used for a lot of useful things, inventory products, and store information. One of my favorite things to use a barcode reader for is password protection on my computer. In order to do this you have to first find a usb or inline keyboard barcode reader. I recommend checking ebay they are usually pretty cheap on there.

Then all you have to do is generate your password in barcode format. There are several software titles out there that will do this for you. I use Barcodes Inc. to generate all my barcodes for me. It is a fast way to make one, it’s FREE and you can’t print it when you’re done. Now since we are going to be using barcode values to type our password for us we won’t even actually need to know our password. So go to “Barcodes Inc.” generate your barcode and print it out. Now with your barcode reader plugged in and responding go to your change password prompt for whatever operating system you are using (Windows/Linux/MAC OSX) and click in the new password field then scan your bar code. Your password has now been set to the value of the barcode. In addition to this you could type and additional pass phrase to add a two part authentication system in case you ever lost your barcode someone could not access your system. Also another tip is you may already have a barcode you could use laying around. Many grocery stores carry customer loyalty programs and on the back of the little plastic cards are barcodes. Try and find one you could keep on your keychain for convenience. Be sure to have a duplicate somewhere if your barcode contains a hard to remember random string as its value. Doing so will ensure that you do not render your computer useless.
[tags]Barcodes,barcode readers,technology,DIY,passwords,authentication,login, Computer Security, Passwords [/tags]