How to prevent others from using my computer

  • Thread starter Thread starter Phil
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Phil

Morning all,

Is there a simple way to lock my computer from any unathorised use?

I'm going overseas for a few months and live in a shared household and
simply want to prevent anyone from using my computer.

Thanks in advance,

Phil
 
It's really all about physical security. Anyone with sufficient knowledge,
and access to the motherboard and hardware settings is going to be able to
hack in. Things like a BIOS password can help, and Windows passwords for all
existing accounts helps too, but if they know enough, nothing can stop
invasion.
Rent a storage locker, and put the computer in it.
 
Phil said:
Morning all,

Is there a simple way to lock my computer from any unathorised use?

I'm going overseas for a few months and live in a shared household and
simply want to prevent anyone from using my computer.

Thanks in advance,

Phil
Click to expand...

Depends how secure you want to be.

You can put a password on your Windows user account (this is relatively
easily worked around for somebody who has access to the machine and a little
knowledge.

You could also put a startup/boot password in your BIOS (if it has the
facility). This would make it a lot harder for somebody to access.

Ed Metcalfe.
 
Phil said:
Is there a simple way to lock my computer from any unathorised use?

I'm going overseas for a few months and live in a shared household and
simply want to prevent anyone from using my computer.

Thanks in advance,
Click to expand...

The only way to prevent this is to control physical access to the computer.
Lock it away in storage, or at least remove the hard drives and lock those
away. Make sure there are backups.
 
won't run without memory or cpu or hard drive or video card
bios passwords are tough to crack because you can't start the system.
even trying to reset it by removing the battery won/t work.
 
BigJim wrote:

(snippage)
bios passwords are tough to crack because you can't start the system.
Click to expand...

No, they're not.
even trying to reset it by removing the battery won/t work.
Click to expand...

Yes it will. Unless it is a certain kind of laptop such as Thinkpads.


Resetting the BIOS by removing the motherboard battery on a desktop
machine will have you in Setup in a few minutes.

As the others have said, physical access is key.


Malke
 
Rock,

You are telling a user who asked for advice on protecting their computer to
remove their hard drive. Come on the OP sounds like a novice. What about the
static? No warning about using an anti-static strap/mat & storing it away
from magnetic sources in an anti-static bag etc. One of the housemates could
get ahold of it & format it
 
To all who replied to my question, Thank you!

You have correctly assummed my novice status and given me a simple solution,
lock the bloody thing away!

Regards

Phil
 
You're welcome, and Good Luck.

"What the mind of one man can conceive, the mind of another man can
re-invent" ( E. E. 'doc' Smith, the 'Lensman' series (circa 1932))
 
Newbie Coder said:
Rock,

You are telling a user who asked for advice on protecting their computer
to
remove their hard drive. Come on the OP sounds like a novice. What about
the
static? No warning about using an anti-static strap/mat & storing it away
from magnetic sources in an anti-static bag etc. One of the housemates
could
get ahold of it & format it
Click to expand...

The question was about how to protect the computer from access. If you want
to add info to the OP then feel free to post to them.
 
if you are going to LOCK IT AWAY.
remember even being off and not in use you should think about how/where you store it.
think about excessive heat or cold and moisture.



(e-mail address removed)



To all who replied to my question, Thank you!

You have correctly assummed my novice status and given me a simple solution,
lock the bloody thing away!

Regards

Phil
 
Phil said:
Morning all,

Is there a simple way to lock my computer from any unathorised use?

I'm going overseas for a few months and live in a shared household and
simply want to prevent anyone from using my computer.

Thanks in advance,

Phil
Click to expand...

Remove one or two of the following four:
CPU
RAM
VIDEO CARD
PSU
 
Phil said:
Morning all,

Is there a simple way to lock my computer from any unathorised use?

I'm going overseas for a few months and live in a shared household and
simply want to prevent anyone from using my computer.

Thanks in advance,

Phil
Click to expand...


Without physical security, there is no security. Lock the computer
away beyond anyone else's reach.


--

Bruce Chambers

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They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. -Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. -Bertrand Russell
 
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