Best ways to lock/protect and secure laptops and desktops?

[psd99]

Hi everyone

I am forgetting some basics please could you remind me

I have a laptop and a desktop
what kind of ways can I secure it.

I was thinking of putting in a bios password for both, but can this be overriden with ease? What I mean to say is thatif my laptop or desktop was stolen would they be able to get in, without opening up the thing?

A bios password and then possibly a password to get into windows,
what do you all think?

 

[Abarbarian]

Encrypt all of your files

 

[psd99]

Encrypt all of your files

Hi

I got pictures here, which some of them i don't want anyone to see

how does the excryption work can i password protect them through windows xp without installing any additonal programs?

this encryption will not prevent or hold up anyone getting into my system though

 

[Ian]

The best way for complete security is to not store anything you don't want anyone to find! Reasonable precautions to protect your data would be to zip them into an archive with a strong password (one that uses MD5 encryption), I don't know which archivers do this but some will.

I know that windows vista has some sort of drive encryption built into some of the higher editions, but I don't know what this does yet - probably what you are after though.

It's easy enough to get past BIOS / Windows passwords if you are determined, but it wouldn't do you any harm to stop an opportunist I suppose.

 

[muckshifter]

DO NOT STORE ANY VALUABLE DATA IN THE FIRST PLACE !!


Boot any PC/laptop with Vista DVD ... and gain instant access to ALL your files ... all passwords are voided.




Not sure how you can "recover" from any encryption, especially if things go wrong.


If you loose your HD, get one of these ...

http://www.semshred.com/products/disintegrators_medium.php?tp=VE1HUj0xLHRpZD01NjYs

 

[psd99]

lol at the link

well so where do you lot store your vital information then?

don't u all think it's scary?

im not even talking about normal citizens like us
im talking about government laptops
bet they got some very vital and special information and could easily get into the wrong hands.

the zip idea sounds good, but wonder that it could be a time waster when unzipping those files to gain access..

and the idea of booting from bios sounds like any non novice would be able to get in right away.

 

[V_R]

I got pictures here, which some of them i don't want anyone to see

If you dont want the other half to see your porn collection then save it to removable storage and hide it under the bed!


I dont and wont use it myself but you could use something like this?

We have USB tokens at work for security purposes.

 

[psd99]

If you dont want the other half to see your porn collection then save it to removable storage and hide it under the bed!


I dont and wont use it myself but you could use something like this?

We have USB tokens at work for security purposes.

well actually if you want details
it is that I don't want her to see all my holiday pictures!!!!But then I don't want to lose some of these either.

usb tokens now how do they work?

 

[Abarbarian]

Take a look at this very useful program . The free version is good .

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1759,1632856,00.asp

 

[psd99]

thanks

 

[jpeni]

Advanced File Lock

Try Advanced File Lock from http://www.bluelakestechnology.com/Hide or password-protect any file instantly by clicking on it. Advanced File Lock works with all file types including pictures and movies. Once a file is locked or hidden, it is completely encrypted and none of its contents can be viewed. To lock a file or folder, simply right-click on it and select the lock option.