How do I secure my device?

How to secure a device to protect the privacy of Members and Helpers.

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Written by William Garton
Updated over a week ago

To protect the privacy of our Members and Helpers, it's important that all devices that have access to a Five Good Friends account are secured with a password or passcode. Devices should also lock automatically within 15 minutes of inactivity or when they are put to sleep.

iPhones and iOS devices

Setting a passcode

  1. Go to Settings > Touch ID & Passcode. On devices without Touch ID, go to Settings > Passcode:

  2. Tap Turn Passcode On.

  3. Enter a six-digit passcode. Or tap Passcode Options to switch to a four-digit numeric code, a custom numeric code, or a custom alphanumeric code.

  4. Enter your passcode again to confirm it and activate it.

For more details see this Apple Support Article.

Setting your iOS device to lock automatically

  1. Go to Settings > Display & Brightness > Auto-Lock.

  2. Set the amount of inactivity that will turn off and lock your screen

Android Devices

Note: Some Android devices vary in functionality. Please refer to the instructions for your particular model and operating systems for exact details on how to secure your device.

Setting a passcode

  1. Open your device's Settings app.

  2. Under Personal, tap Security.

  3. To change your screen lock's settings, next to Screen lock, tap Settings

  4. To choose a kind of screen lock (PIN, pattern, or password are required by Five.Good.Freinds). Tap the screen lock option you’d like to use and follow the on-screen instructions.

Screen lock options

  • Pattern lets you draw a simple pattern with your finger to unlock your device.

  • PIN requires 4 or more numbers. Longer PINs tend to be more secure.

  • Password requires 4 or more letters or numbers. This is the most secure option, as long as you create a strong password.

Setting your Android device to lock automatically

  1. Open your device's Settings app.

  2. Choose Display and then Sleep.

  3. Choose a time-out value from the Sleep menu of no more than 15 minutes.

  4. Touch the Home button to return to the Home screen.

Windows Desktop

Note: Depending on the version and setup of your Windows desktop, these steps may vary. Please refer to the instructions for your particular setup and operating systems for exact details on how to secure your desktop.

Setting a password

Windows 7

  1. From the Start menu, select Control Panel.

  2. Select User Accounts and Family Services

  3. Underneath the User Accounts, heading select the option Change your Windows password

  4. In the New password and Confirm new password fields, enter the new password.

  5. Optionally, enter a password hint in the last field.

  6. Click Add or Change password.

Setting your Window 7 desktop to lock automatically

  1. Select Start.

  2. Select Control Panel.

  3. Select Appearance and Personalization.

  4. Select Change Screen Saver under Personalize.

  5. Select On resume, display logon screen

  6. Set Wait to no more than 15 minutes.

Windows 8

  1. Bring up the Charms menu (You can fetch the Charms bar by pointing your mouse at the screen’s top- or bottom-right corner, sliding a finger inward from a touchscreen’s right edge, or pressing Windows+C with a keyboard.)

  2. Select Settings

  3. Select Change PC settings

  4. Select Accounts from the left-hand menu.

  5. Select Sign-in options

  6. Under the Password section, click Add or Change

Setting your Window 8 desktop to lock automatically

  1. Bring up the Charms menu (You can fetch the Charms bar by pointing your mouse at the screen’s top- or bottom-right corner, sliding a finger inward from a touchscreen’s right edge, or pressing Windows+C with a keyboard.)

  2. Select Power Options > Require password on wakeup.

  3. In the section named Password protection on wakeup, make sure Require a password is selected.

Windows 10

  1. Open the Start Menu 

  2. Select Settings

  3. Select Accounts

  4. Select Sign-in options

  5.  Select Change/Add under the heading Password and add your password

  6.  In the Sign-in options area and Change the "Require sign-in" field from "Never" to "When PC wakes up from sleep".

Mac Desktop

Setting a password

  1. Click on the  menu in the top left

  2. Choose System Preferences, then click Users & Groups.

  3. Select your user name from the list of users.

  4. Click the Change Password button, then follow the onscreen instructions. If you're using a password hint, remember to update the hint for your new password.

Setting your mac to lock after 15mins

  1. Click on the  menu in the top left

  2. Select System Preferences

  3. Within the Energy Saver System Preference, set the screensaver to come on after 15 minutes of inactivity.

  4. Within the Security & Privacy System Preference, click on the General tab and set the option to require a password immediately after sleep or screen saver begins.

For more details see this Apple Support Article.

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