Solved can you replace windows login with a more secure one?

[ekj111]

so my problem is windows login is so easy to crack a toddler can do it, everyone in the house can get my password in just a few minutes when im not around, and snoop on my computer when im at work. and im getting really tired of it. all you have to do is pop in a cd boot up the computer wait and in a few minutes it will tell you all of the users and passwords on the computer.
so is there a 3rd party program that will either replace windows login or add a second login screen or something, is there anything i can do?

 

[Jacee]

So why would someone (Parents?) carry a CD around to boot into your computer?

 

[LMiller7]

Set the BIOS to boot from the HD only and set a password for access to the BIOS. Don't forget the password.

 

[Layback Bear]

So why would someone (Parents?) carry a CD around to boot into your computer?

Excellent question.

 

[ekj111]

So why would someone (Parents?) carry a CD around to boot into your computer?

carry a cd? we live in the same house, and no its not my parents. dont ask, we have are reasons for being in the same house

 

[ekj111]

Set the BIOS to boot from the HD only and set a password for access to the BIOS. Don't forget the password.

oh yeah, duh. why didnt i think of that :banghead: but is there anything out there that can replace the windows login or add a second one?

 

[UsernameIssues]

Full disk encryption stops people from using other operating systems to enumerate/change the Windows' accounts.

 

[ekj111]

Full disk encryption stops people from using other operating systems to enumerate/change the Windows' accounts.

does full disk encryption effect performance, and will my backups using norton ghost still work? like if the hard drive fails and i replace it load the backup on to it will it boot or will the encryption cause it to be unbootable?

 

[UsernameIssues]

Full disk encryption stops people from using other operating systems to enumerate/change the Windows' accounts.

does full disk encryption effect performance, and will my backups using norton ghost still work? like if the hard drive fails and i replace it load the backup on to it will it boot or will the encryption cause it to be unbootable?

Unfortunately, I'll have to let others answer your questions. I just know that the company that I work for encrypts the entire hard drive. I've removed passwords from computers that we get from Ebay using the "boot to CD/DVD" methods you described, but those methods don't work once we encrypt the drives.

 

[Layback Bear]

Here is a tutorial that I recommend reading.
Read carefully and understand it.
Now be very careful if you decide to encrypt C drive or any other drive.
If done wrong you could lock yourself out and loose your data ect.
Any drive can be encrypted but one must be careful.

Are you worried about performance or encryption?
Two completely different subjects.
You have to decide which is more important.



http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorial...ption-internal-data-hard-drives-turn-off.html

 

[andrew129260]

This problem you describe is affected by all operating systems, not just windows. When physical access is available to the pc, security goes out the window. Anything you do will only slow them down, not prevent entirely.

Suggestion: Get rid of the roommates.

 

[ekj111]

well ill try setting it to boot from hd only and set a password for bios, that should be good enough, there not exactly geniuses. thanks for the info on bitlocker i dont think ill use it on the c drive but ill use on all the other ones.

 

[Layback Bear]

ekj111 did you read the tutorial I posted on Bitlocker?

Please remember whether it's bios password or Bitlocker password; if you forget them or don't have them stored in a safe place with access for you bad things will happen.

 

[andrew129260]

well ill try setting it to boot from hd only and set a password for bios, that should be good enough, there not exactly geniuses. thanks for the info on bitlocker i dont think ill use it on the c drive but ill use on all the other ones.

Well they were smart enough to boot from disk and wipe the password with help from google no doubt, so I give them some credit.

Google search will reveal how to wipe a bios password as well.

Like I said, get new roommates.

 

[ekj111]

well i cant kick them out because im renting too. but i came up with a much simpler way too keep them out, put a lock on the door. i didn't do this before because its not my house but after asking they said it was fine so ill just do that. i guess it doesn't hurt to ask.

 

[andrew129260]

well i cant kick them out because im renting too. but i came up with a much simpler way too keep them out, put a lock on the door. i didn't do this before because its not my house but after asking they said it was fine so ill just do that. i guess it doesn't hurt to ask.

That should help

 

[Alejandro85]

This problem you describe is affected by all operating systems, not just windows. When physical access is available to the pc, security goes out the window. Anything you do will only slow them down, not prevent entirely.

Suggestion: Get rid of the roommates.

Unfortunately, this is THE answer. The real problem comes from the physical access to the computer. Security-wise, the ultimate goal of an attacker is precisely to get physical access to a system, under that condition, he can do ANYTHING he wants, having no restrictions at all. Any security system will only pose problems, all solvable being able to manipulate the whole computer.

The Windows login is reasonably good, but the thing is if your roommates can boot an external OS it can bypass them all, crack the passwords offline as he please and control everything if he really wants. Any OS is vulnerable to this really. Even full disk encryption can be cracked if given enough time, but may slow down for it to be not worth the effort.

You might want to consider remove the HD altogether if you're not around.