Re: Password protect PC

You forgot number 8 and 9

8. Solder the battery to the battery retainer on the motherboard. This
prevents the bios from being cleared by the removal of the battery.

9. Break off the jumper pins used to clear the CMOS.

<grin> (-:

Actually, if someone with physical access wants in, he will get in.

--
Regards,

Richard Urban
Microsoft MVP Windows Shell/User
(For email, remove the obvious from my address)

Quote from George Ankner:
If you knew as much as you think you know,
You would realize that you don't know what you thought you knew!



"Malke" <notreally@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:elu0QlQqGHA.516@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
mendi1mendi wrote:

I have a password on the Office PC, for bootup, screensaver, etc via my
user account.

I just found out, that there's a website, www.loginrecovery.com, whereby
one dowloads a program onto a floppy or CD.

You then insert this disk into the PC, boot it up and it copies the
windows encrypted file which contains all the info about all user
accounts
on that PC and shuts it back down so no one is aware that someone
tampered
with this PC.

You then upload the info to that website and via email they send you back
withing 2 business days all the user names, passwords. If you need it
rush, they'll send it back withing 10 mintues for 10 Euros. (Looks like
they're in Europe.)

Is there any protection, software or hardware against such hackers?

Any computer running any operating system can be accessed by someone with
1)
physical access; 2) time; 3) skill; 4) tools. There are a few things you
can do to make it a bit harder though:

1. Set a password in the BIOS that must be entered before booting the
operating system. Also set the Supervisor password in the BIOS so BIOS
Setup can't be entered without it.
2. From the BIOS, change the boot order to hard drive first.
3. Set strong passwords on all accounts, including the built-in
Administrator account.
4. If you leave your own account logged in, use the Windows Key + L to
lock
the computer (and/or set the screensaver/power saving) when you step away
from the computer and require a password to resume.
5. Make other users Limited accounts.
6. Keep your operating system and major applications patched.
7. Use the computer in a safe, secure, careful way if it is important to
keep the data on that machine uncompromised.

The really important part of the first paragraph is *access*. That is why
mission/security-critical servers are kept locked, in locked rooms, with
precise security as to who can access them.

Malke
--
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User
Elephant Boy Computers
www.elephantboycomputers.com
"Don't Panic"


.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Losing Tine
    ... will windows boot? ... The BIOS will NOT be erased if the CMOS battery dies, ... most likely the default settings have been used. ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.basics)
  • Re: Losing Tine
    ... I understand that bios will be erased.. ... The BIOS will NOT be erased if the CMOS battery dies, ... most likely the default settings have been used. ... || yes I already installed a clock sync.. ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.basics)
  • Re: Lost HD Master function / CMOS checksum error
    ... Replacing the battery in the CMOS does not necessarily cure checksum errors ... Perhaps the BIOS has problems. ... Would like to test the spare comp HD in the bad HD comp, ... drives with Norton Utilities, ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.general)
  • Re: Resetting BIOS to factory defaults when you donīt have access to i
    ... boot devices and box itself. ... My BIOS is now inaccessible. ... Turn the computer on Without the Battery. ... Windows still booted so I tried A) B), or removing the CMOS battery. ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.general)
  • Re: Losing Tine
    ... :) I looked at options and there is a setting under the security tab that says Protect Net Bios ... With a new CMOS battery your system time as kept on the motherboard will be ... and forgot to write down the settings.. ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.basics)