How would I prevent people from formatting my system ?

Hi,

I believe I am in the right section for this. Basically I've got XP on my laptop and my goal is to "safeguard" If you will my system by preventing anyone from just deciding to using a bootable XP Installation CD for instance and going about formatting my hard drive.

How would I prevent someone from accessing my laptop when it is unattended for instance, and say use a Windows Installation Disc and formatting my computer ?

Is there anyway to prevent this ?

Would using a password in the BIOS prevent people from doing this ?


Thanks and I hope that my question is clear enough


Merry Christmas


Jordan

JordanJP said:

Hi,

I believe I am in the right section for this. Basically I've got XP on my laptop and my goal is to "safeguard" If you will my system by preventing anyone from just deciding to using a bootable XP Installation CD for instance and going about formatting my hard drive.

How would I prevent someone from accessing my laptop when it is unattended for instance, and say use a Windows Installation Disc and formatting my computer ?

Is there anyway to prevent this ?

Would using a password in the BIOS prevent people from doing this ?


Thanks and I hope that my question is clear enough


Merry Christmas


Jordan

Hello Jordan;

First, set your hard drive as the first drive to boot in the Bios, then create the Bios password. This will give you some security from unwanted tampering.

Cheers!
Robert

IggyAZ said:

JordanJP said:

Hi,

I believe I am in the right section for this. Basically I've got XP on my laptop and my goal is to "safeguard" If you will my system by preventing anyone from just deciding to using a bootable XP Installation CD for instance and going about formatting my hard drive.

How would I prevent someone from accessing my laptop when it is unattended for instance, and say use a Windows Installation Disc and formatting my computer ?

Is there anyway to prevent this ?

Would using a password in the BIOS prevent people from doing this ?


Thanks and I hope that my question is clear enough


Merry Christmas


Jordan

1.I would think password the BIOS but that can be overcome easily.
2. USB security key that if removed locks keyboard and prevents acces when you are gone.
3. Actually everything can be comprimised so as far as I can see nothing can stop someone who has your laptop reformating the HD.

I think the answer may be your own personal security of your laptop.

I don't think I was that helpful but these are my ideas and thought for you.

I agree mostly. On a desktop, you cannot access the "Reset Password" pin if the Desktop Case has a lock preventing access to the motherboard. So that with a Bios password gives some security.

With a laptop, I will have to look to see how to "reset the bios password". Then, if the bios allows a "Boot Menu" Fkey that is not part of the Bios password, then security vanishes? Anybody know how the boot menu works with a password protected Bios?

Cheers!
Robert

thanks for your replies guys !

Answer is simple. You don't share it, and lock it in a safety deposit box every minute you don't need it for your own use... oh, and you keep a full backup drive restore image kicking around too...

Physical security is absolutely required. Somebody who can gain physical access can do anything they want with your machine.

Again, physical security is of the utmost importance. Leave a machine in my presence and I guarantee that I will be able to wipe out the drive. Bust the case open, plug the hard drive into another machine, low level format tool like DBAN and it's gone.