A system and method of providing increased security of a personal computer
through the use of its operating system and initialization. The invention
provides a security profile which indicates the level of authorization
which the user has and the security exposure which a user will be
permitted, which combines with a stored log of attempts to access the
personal computer through the use of the password and the results of each
attempt to provide a system where unsuccessful attempts will turn off the
system. The system also includes a plurality of access levels so that
some functions in the computer may be denied to a user but permitted to a
system administrator. The access log also may include a record of
physical security attacks or attempt, such as removing the covers of a
personal computer. The system and method of the present invention have
the advantage that, as a result of maintaining information on access
attempt and other security information, a security profile may be
established and criteria imposed on the user which will improve the
security of the personal computer.