Re: home computer password

From: Jim Watt (jimwatt_at_aol.no_way)
Date: 11/29/05 

Date: Tue, 29 Nov 2005 01:22:07 +0100

On Mon, 28 Nov 2005 23:35:33 GMT, "Martin Spencer-Ford"
<tpwuk.dash.zero.one@ntlworld.com> wrote:

>
>"Borked Pseudo Mailed" <nobody@pseudo.borked.net> wrote in message
>news:84709e0ddbe47148fc2ebceb10a98305@pseudo.borked.net...
>> thunderbird wrote:
>>
>>> Just don't loose the password, a good tech can re-set it but it may cost
>>> something like $300. Bios passwords aren't that easy to by-pass.
>>
>> What a load of TOTAL BULL***!
>>
>> Almost ALL BIOS passwords can be bypassed by resetting to default with a
>> jumper, or battery removal. The number of machines that CAN'T be fixed
>> this way is so small it's nonexistent in the real world.
>>
>> You scam artists at Privacy.LIE might charge $300 to do a trivial 10
>> minute job, but those of us who run HONEST businesses do it for free, or a
>> very nominal fee. It's like plugging in RAM. You usually do it just for
>> the advertisement value of knowing that when the person has a real problem
>> or wants some new toys they'll be back, and recommend you to other people
>> with real problems and needs.
>>
>> I'm sure this sort of integrity, common sense, and knowledge of simple
>> tech skills is something you and your species knows nothing about. So why
>> are you posting your uninformed idiocy in this group?
>>
>I wish i had read this far before posting now - well said Borked!

I disagree.

All security involves a trade off between preventing access and
inconveniencing the genuine user. Further all security can be
bypassed, its just that some is harder and costlier than others.
Further, security also is about letting you know your system has
been compromised.

In a domestic environment setting a BIOS password is a reasonable
measure, its unlikely that anyone will remove the CMOS battery to
reset the machine, and if they do, it is obvious because the password
will no longer work. Many machines allow for a small padlock to
secure the case against this happening.

The advice about not losing the password is good advice, and
generally people who undertake work for free are either fools or
worth every penny you pay. I certainly would charge a client a
minimum callout charge for removing a password. time is money.

As for 'the number of machines that can't be fixed being small'
there are a lot of laptops out there and resetting the cmos password
on them is non trivial nor is getting into the case of many.

For the OP its the correct solution, so why complicate life ? 

--
Jim Watt          
http://www.gibnet.com