How to Protect Passwords With an On-Screen Keyboard

Programs can be installed on a computer, often without a user's knowledge, that can capture information such as passwords. Microsoft Windows has the On-Screen Keyboard program that uses the click of a mouse to send a character to a form, bypassing the use of the normal keyboard. This allows you to protect any sensitive information.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Click on "Start" in the lower left corner of your desktop screen. Select "All Programs" and move the cursor to highlight the Accessories group.

2. Select the Accessibility sub-group from the open list and click the On-Screen Keyboard link from the list of items.

3. Go to any website that asks you to enter a password to access it. Place the cursor inside the password text box and left-click once. This will activate the password text box.

4. Using the mouse, click on the letter, number or symbol keys in the On-Screen Keyboard to enter the password. Close the On-Screen Keyboard when finished.

Tips & Warnings

• The default mode for the On-Screen Keyboard remains visible on the computer screen. Change it by clicking on "Settings" and removing the check mark from "Always on Top" in the list.
• Minimize the On-Screen Keyboard to the taskbar if you want it handy for inputting more passwords.
• Change more settings by selecting either Keyboard or Settings from the menu bar in the On-Screen Keyboard.