by Ed Holthause
The iPad doesn’t have multiple accounts like a PC or Mac. It is a single user device. Even if you decide to share it with friends and family, you should take the few seconds required to activate and set a passcode. Setting the passcode on your iPad is a pretty good way to ensure that if your iPad is lost or stolen, passers-by and dime-store criminals won’t have access to your private data.
Setting the iPad’s passcode
The passcode is reached through the Settings app, choose General, then Passcode Lock.
Turn Passcode Off: This option disables the passcode requirement when you unlock your iPad. In order to turn passcode locking off you must know the current passcode.
Change Passcode: This option allows you to change the current passcode. In order to change the passcode you will need to know the current one.
Require Passcode: This option determines how much time after the iPad was locked will the iPad require you to enter a passcode to unlock it. For example, if this setting is set to 5 minutes, then if you attempt to unlock the iPad within 5 minutes of it being locked, you will not be prompted for the passcode. By default this setting is set to Immediately.
Simple Passcode: This option allows you to choose between the standard four digit code and a more secure alphanumeric mix, similar to your e-mail password. Don’t use your e-mail password for this!
Picture Frame: This option will turn on and off the ability to use the iPad as a picture frame while it is locked with a passcode. By default this setting is On, which means that while your iPad is locked you can still turn on the picture frame and view your pictures. Some might consider this feature a breech of privacy.
Erase Data: This option provides the ability to erase all of the data on your iPad if someone enters the wrong passcode 10 times. This will cause your settings to be reset to their original values and all of your information and media are erased by removing the encryption key to the data. By default this setting is set to off.
Please be sure to remember your passcode because if you forget it you will need to reset or restore your iPad to remove it.