Re: Startup password ?

From: D.Currie (dmbcurrie.nospam_at_hotmail.com)
Date: 07/05/04 

Date: Mon, 5 Jul 2004 00:24:25 -0600

"Mr Nobody" <me@privacy.net> wrote in message
news:i4hfe0ldf0qbpbt118b2rtkvvhblokva96@4ax.com...
> On Sun, 4 Jul 2004 05:54:59 +0100, "Mike" <no_reply@please.com> wrote:
>
> >Anyone heard of this. Is it more secure than the BIOS and login passwords
> >(which aren't secure) - search for security continues. Found the
following
> >instructions in another ng:
> >
> >'Start Menu, Run, Type:
> >syskey
> >press enter.
> >
> >A dialog box will appear
> >"Securing the Windows Account Database"
> >Click [Update]
> >Select
> >(o) Password Startup
> >Type and confirm the password. Click [OK].
> >
> >Warning:
> >If You forget the password, You MUST reinstall Windows (that means
CLEAN)'.
>
> That seems to mean that reinstalling Windows lets you in. What do they
> mean by 'CLEAN'? I doubt it means 'wiping' the HD as that isn't a
> standard Windows function so you would be able to recover (some) data
> after the procedure.
>
> What's the matter with OTF encryption? It is transparent to the user.
>
> --
> Mr Nobody

Encryption's fine for some things, but if the technician has access to that
account to do repairs, the files are perfectly accessible.

If something is that sensitive, best bet is to keep it on a removable drive
that you don't give to the technician during repairs.