Re: Loss of computer - how much does the password protect?



inquirer tablet pc wrote:
In case of loss/theft of a computer, to what extent does the password
(the one when you start the pc and the one when you log onto xp)
protect the data? i.e. how difficult is it for someone who does not
have the passowrd to access the data on the harddisk?

As others have indicated the passwords can easily be circumvented, if you
want to go down the EFS path (and you must have XP Pro for this) then read
the following articiles, but BE WARNED, using EFS incorrectly can make your
data unusable for every one including yourself.

The Encrypting File System
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/topics/cryptographyetc/efs.mspx

Best practices for the Encrypting File System
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/223316/en-us

How to back up the recovery agent Encrypting File System (EFS) private key
in Windows Server 2003, in Windows 2000, and in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/241201

How To Encrypt a Folder in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=308989

How To Remove File Encryption in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=308993

How To Encrypt a File in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=307877

HOW TO: Share Access to an Encrypted File in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=308991


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Relevant Pages

  • Re: File and Folder Encryption Usage
    ... EFS works very well. ... > I wish to use the built-in encryption features of Windows XP ... How To Encrypt a Folder in Windows XP ... Best practices for the Encrypting File System ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.general)
  • Re: Need help with encrypted files
    ... I'm not sure exactly how it was done, but that particular folder name ... Otherwise here are some links about the encrypting file system in XP and best practices for it. ... At the end I have listed a couple of links to articles on how to try to recover the data if no recovery agent was designated and if the key and certificate were not backed up. ... Encrypting File System in Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.general)
  • RE: Data Encryption
    ... "The Encrypting File System, found in Windows XP Professional but not Windows XP Home Edition, ..." ... If you used EFS to encrypt your folders/files, but didn't make a backup of your private key to open them, then I fear you have lost your files. ... when i hover the mouse over the folder it says the folder ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.security_admin)
  • Re: decryption without a password key
    ... EFS relies on the account credentials. ... key, even you maybe, but people dont wanna talk about that because ... Best practices for the Encrypting File System ... in Windows Server 2003, in Windows 2000, and in Windows XP ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.help_and_support)
  • Re: EFS Data Recovery not working as expected
    ... setup and enterprise CA, and everything seems to be working well. ... Best practices for the Encrypting File System ... How to back up the recovery agent Encrypting File System (EFS) private key ... in Windows Server 2003, in Windows 2000, and in Windows XP ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.general)