how secure are XP passwords?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Canaray
  • Start date Start date
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Canaray

If a person steals my computer, but doesn't know my password to get into XP
pro, is there any way he can access the documents on my hard-drive?

thanks
 
Canaray said:
If a person steals my computer, but doesn't know my password to get
into XP pro, is there any way he can access the documents on my
hard-drive?
Click to expand...

Physical access to a PC and time - be it a Windows, *nix, whatever OS -
means a person *can* access anything on it - given the proper skills/tools.
 
If someone is determined, it's only a matter of time. That's true of any
computer running any operating system.

Ted Zieglar
 
If your XP computer is stolen and they person who gets it
uses the Windows XP installed on the computer to try and log
on, and you have a secure password, it is very difficult.
That is if your logon password and the hidden default admin
account are both are password protected with something
like.... w%klk4659-3Tp21 instead of yellowbird.
But if they install a second cheap hard drive with Windows
XP and boot from that drive and use the procedure to take
ownership of the files and folders, then the issue is did
you encrypt and password protect the files and folders
themselves.

If the FBI/CIA has your computer or a thief had their tools,
the data can be read using an electron microscope, bit by
bit.


--
Merry Christmas
Have a Safe and Happy New Year
Live Long and Prosper
Jim Macklin
|
| If a person steals my computer, but doesn't know my
password to get into XP
| pro, is there any way he can access the documents on my
hard-drive?
|
| thanks
|
|
 
He can easily reset the password with a simple password hacking program that
is readily available for free download.
 
If a person comes into possession of your PC, they can easily own whatever
is contained within.


Ron Chamberlin
MS-MVP
 
Thank you all for your perspectives.

I was thinking more around the scenario of a "common thief" who wants to
turn around and make a buck off what he steals. More along the lines about
how easy it would be for the "average" person to hack into. I guess most
people who would buy a hot computer may not be "average" anyways.

My current password is a combo of 3 letters and 3 numbers - just to make my
logging in less of a headache. but, like some of you have said, if a
"window password hack" is easily downloadable, it ma not make any difference
to invent a really cryptic password anyway.

would it make any difference to buy one of those utilities that applies an
extra password layer to your log-in?


thanks!
 
It all depends on what you're trying to secure. If you care
about those emails from Grandma that talk about your potty
training and your cute Underoos. If you have your family
life and banking/tax history you need more. If you are
planning a bank robbery or a terrorist attack, you should
check with the FBI for free web storage.


--
Merry Christmas
Have a Safe and Happy New Year
Live Long and Prosper
Jim Macklin
|
| Thank you all for your perspectives.
|
| I was thinking more around the scenario of a "common
thief" who wants to
| turn around and make a buck off what he steals. More
along the lines about
| how easy it would be for the "average" person to hack
into. I guess most
| people who would buy a hot computer may not be "average"
anyways.
|
| My current password is a combo of 3 letters and 3
numbers - just to make my
| logging in less of a headache. but, like some of you have
said, if a
| "window password hack" is easily downloadable, it ma not
make any difference
| to invent a really cryptic password anyway.
|
| would it make any difference to buy one of those utilities
that applies an
| extra password layer to your log-in?
|
|
| thanks!
|
|
 
It is likely that the reseller (the person who buys the system from the
thief) will wipe the drive and probably reinstall an OS of some sort to make
the hot system more attractive for resale. However if the thief hopes to
check your system out for files, information such as credit card numbers or
other data he/she can take advantage of then they will either hack it
themselves or find someone who can hack the system for them.
 
Canaray,
would it make any difference to buy one of those utilities that applies an
extra password layer to your log-in?>
Click to expand...

If it makes you feel a bit safer, you can go into the BIOS and set a boot
password up. Problem is that you'll have to use it every time you boot the
machine.

thanks! >
Click to expand...
You're welcome.

Ron Chamberlin
MS-MVP
 
Harry,
Most thieves only want what they can steal for a fast turnaround. They only
look forward to a fast buck for a quick fix in the arm, up the nose et al.
I doubt this category will be surfing the files.

The occasional more sophisticated (tho I use that term with abandon here)
perp would try to 'get rid of the evidence' with a rebuild of the unit.

A white collar crook determined to get your personal stuff probably will,
especially if he has physical control of the box.

Ron Chamberlin
MS-MVP

Harry Ohrn said:
It is likely that the reseller (the person who buys the system from the
thief) will wipe the drive and probably reinstall an OS of some sort to
make the hot system more attractive for resale. However if the thief hopes
to check your system out for files, information such as credit card
numbers or other data he/she can take advantage of then they will either
hack it themselves or find someone who can hack the system for them.

--

Harry Ohrn MS-MVP [Shell/User]
www.webtree.ca/windowsxp


Canaray said:
Thank you all for your perspectives.

I was thinking more around the scenario of a "common thief" who wants to
turn around and make a buck off what he steals. More along the lines
about how easy it would be for the "average" person to hack into. I
guess most people who would buy a hot computer may not be "average"
anyways.

My current password is a combo of 3 letters and 3 numbers - just to make
my logging in less of a headache. but, like some of you have said, if a
"window password hack" is easily downloadable, it ma not make any
difference to invent a really cryptic password anyway.

would it make any difference to buy one of those utilities that applies
an extra password layer to your log-in?


thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
Ron,
I agree. I think what you've said expands on what I was alluding to.

--

Harry Ohrn MS-MVP [Shell/User]
www.webtree.ca/windowsxp


Ron Chamberlin said:
Harry,
Most thieves only want what they can steal for a fast turnaround. They
only look forward to a fast buck for a quick fix in the arm, up the nose
et al. I doubt this category will be surfing the files.

The occasional more sophisticated (tho I use that term with abandon here)
perp would try to 'get rid of the evidence' with a rebuild of the unit.

A white collar crook determined to get your personal stuff probably will,
especially if he has physical control of the box.

Ron Chamberlin
MS-MVP

Harry Ohrn said:
It is likely that the reseller (the person who buys the system from the
thief) will wipe the drive and probably reinstall an OS of some sort to
make the hot system more attractive for resale. However if the thief
hopes to check your system out for files, information such as credit card
numbers or other data he/she can take advantage of then they will either
hack it themselves or find someone who can hack the system for them.

--

Harry Ohrn MS-MVP [Shell/User]
www.webtree.ca/windowsxp


Canaray said:
Thank you all for your perspectives.

I was thinking more around the scenario of a "common thief" who wants to
turn around and make a buck off what he steals. More along the lines
about how easy it would be for the "average" person to hack into. I
guess most people who would buy a hot computer may not be "average"
anyways.

My current password is a combo of 3 letters and 3 numbers - just to make
my logging in less of a headache. but, like some of you have said, if a
"window password hack" is easily downloadable, it ma not make any
difference to invent a really cryptic password anyway.

would it make any difference to buy one of those utilities that applies
an extra password layer to your log-in?


thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
Frank,

<And that is also relatively easy to get around.>

'Twas why I prefaced the remark with "if it makes you feel a little bit
safer..." :)

Ron
 
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