Do passwords protect against remote acces to your computer?

Do passwords in Windows (password protection of a user or administrator account) provide a barrier for hackers who access your computer via a network or the internet, or do they only help against those who have physical access to your computer?

 

From what I understand, No having a Windows password set up on your computer will not stop remote access to your computer, It will only let who ever knows your password and is on your physical computer into your settings in Windows. Any hackors could simply get by the password especially while your logged on.

 

The Administrator Account has Remote Access enabled by default, that is why its common practice to change is name (it can't be deleted) and create & disable another account under the Administrator's name. That way if someone does get in they can't do anything.

Remote access also has to be enabled, you can check to see if its on or off via the Properties of My Computer on the Remote Tab.

 

Remote Desktop cannot be enabled on an account that doesn't have password polocies enabled. Also if you are behind a router or other firewall remote desktop connections cannot be made unless port 3389 is forwarded to the relevant machine.