Thinking about upgrading to Windows 10 if you haven’t already? Well, it’s incredibly easy. However, there is a downside - the simple and straightforward process has some security issues that you need to be aware of.

At the end of the installation, the system requests passwords for your account. Once the user has entered these, Windows 10 finishes installing and prepares your hard drive for use. However, it does not prompt for a second password entry before showing the desktop, assuming nobody else will access the machine in the meantime. So, if the user leaves the installation unattended, data can be accessed by anyone who just so happens to walk by.

Perhaps this isn’t too big a risk, especially if few people have access to your computer or laptop. Home installations of Windows 10 are unlikely to be at risk, but this might be different in an office or work setting. Most users do not remain with their computers through the entire upgrade/installation process. Where there are multiple computer users in one location, this may be enough to allow temporary file and application access to unauthorized users. For administrator accounts, the vulnerability is especially significant.

Basically if you do not leave the upgrade process unattended, there is no problem. Make sure the process completes and then log out or shut down. Any attempt to reboot will require a password before allowing access to data.

As with all passwords, choose something secure with a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters. Make sure it is random, and not based on a real word – especially not your maiden name, street name or child’s name!