PASSWORDS

[Guest]

Hi,
I'm tring to stop my teenage daughter setting up new accounts on my
computer, so she can't keep making herself an administator and going on
websites that I've "blocked."
Can I put a password on the computer before anyone logs on?
If anyone out there knows, can they e-mail me in detail about how I go about
this.
I'm a parent tearing my hair out.....as she keeps putting me on a "limited
account" and changing my password!

 

[Malke]

Hi,
I'm tring to stop my teenage daughter setting up new accounts on my
computer, so she can't keep making herself an administator and going on
websites that I've "blocked."
Can I put a password on the computer before anyone logs on?
If anyone out there knows, can they e-mail me in detail about how I go about
this.
I'm a parent tearing my hair out.....as she keeps putting me on a "limited
account" and changing my password!

Any computer running any operating system can be accessed by someone
with 1) physical access; 2) time; 3) skill; 4) tools. There are a few
things you can do to make it a bit harder though:

1. Set a password in the BIOS that must be entered before booting the
operating system. Also set the Supervisor password in the BIOS so BIOS
Setup can't be entered without it. Keep the password you assign secret,
but don't forget it!

2. From the BIOS, change the boot order to hard drive first.

Accessing the BIOS
http://michaelstevenstech.com/bios_manufacturer.htm
http://www.uktsupport.co.uk/reference/biosp.htm
http://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch000235.htm

3. Set strong passwords on all accounts, including the built-in
Administrator account.

4. If you leave your own account logged in, use the Windows Key + L to
lock the computer (and/or set the screensaver/power saving) when you
step away from the computer and require a password to resume.

5. Make other users Limited accounts in XP Home, regular user accounts
in XP Pro.

6. Set user permissions/restrictions:

a. If you have XP Pro, you can set user permissions/restrictions with
Group Policy (Start>Run>gpedit.msc [enter]) but be careful. Using the
Policy Editor can be tricksy. Questions about Group Policy should be
posted in its newsgroup: microsoft.public.windows.group_policy.

b. If you have XP Home, you can use MVP Doug Knox's Security Console or
the MS Steady State.

http://www.dougknox.com
Steady State -
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/winfamily/sharedaccess/default.mspx

If you find that doing the above is too difficult (and there is no shame
in admitting this isn't your cup of tea), have a local computer
professional come on-site and set you up properly. This will not be
someone from BigComputerStore/GeekSquad. Get recommendations from
friends, family, colleagues.

Please understand that these are technical responses to what is
basically a non-technical problem and there are ways around all of these
precautions. This is a family/interpersonal issue that can't be solved
by technical means.


Malke

 

[Shenan Stanley]

I'm tring to stop my teenage daughter setting up new accounts on my
computer, so she can't keep making herself an administator and
going on websites that I've "blocked."
Can I put a password on the computer before anyone logs on?
If anyone out there knows, can they e-mail me in detail about how I
go about this.
I'm a parent tearing my hair out.....as she keeps putting me on a
"limited account" and changing my password!

BIOS password.
Padlock the computer closed as well and make sure it is set to boot from the
hard disk drive first.

(How you get into the BIOS will depend on the computer. Turn it off, turn
it on - see what key it tells you to press to get into "System Setup" or
"System BIOS" or something like that.)

Also - if you create a limited account for everyone else in Windows XP -
password protect all administrative level accounts, have the BIOS password,
the bootup password (also in the BIOS) and set the system to boot from hard
disk drive first only - it will be difficult (but not impossible, given time
and physical access/freedom with the machine) for her to do anything.

You could also just be the parent who yanks the computer away and puts it
out of her reach physically.

 

[Tom [Pepper] Willett]

Time to take control as a parent and take away her computer privileges until
she behaves.

Why are you letting her run you?

: Hi,
: I'm tring to stop my teenage daughter setting up new accounts on my
: computer, so she can't keep making herself an administator and going on
: websites that I've "blocked."
: Can I put a password on the computer before anyone logs on?
: If anyone out there knows, can they e-mail me in detail about how I go
about
: this.
: I'm a parent tearing my hair out.....as she keeps putting me on a "limited
: account" and changing my password!
: --
: T

 

[VanguardLH]

in message

Hi,
I'm tring to stop my teenage daughter setting up new accounts on my
computer, so she can't keep making herself an administator and going
on
websites that I've "blocked."
Can I put a password on the computer before anyone logs on?
If anyone out there knows, can they e-mail me in detail about how I
go about
this.
I'm a parent tearing my hair out.....as she keeps putting me on a
"limited
account" and changing my password!

You have bigger problems than managing unwanted accounts on your
computer. It is YOUR computer, right? Well, take it away from your
daughter. After all, just who is the parent in your home? Stop
trying to use technology to substitute for parenting.

You can use a BIOS password but daughter will just open the case and
reset the BIOS to remove it. Physically remove access to the
computer. Obviously your daughter has used up her strikes in not
complying with your requirements on use of your computer.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Hi,
I'm tring to stop my teenage daughter setting up new accounts on my
computer, so she can't keep making herself an administator and going on
websites that I've "blocked."
Can I put a password on the computer before anyone logs on?
If anyone out there knows, can they e-mail me in detail about how I go about
this.
I'm a parent tearing my hair out.....as she keeps putting me on a "limited
account" and changing my password!

You must learn to be the parent, and learn to secure your computer.

Have you secured the built-in Administrator account? The standard
security practice is to rename the account, set a strong password on it,
and use it only to create another account for regular use, reserving the
Administrator account as a "back door" in case something corrupts your
regular account(s).

Make sure that a password is required to log on to the computer;
disable any automatic logins. Change your own account's password to
something that your "friend" cannot guess. As your daughter has an
account on your computer, ensure that it's a limited account.

HOW TO Create and Configure User Accounts in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;279783

Ensure that your hard drive is formatted in the NTFS file system
and use fole/folder permissions to control access to your hard drive.

HOW TO Set, View, Change, or Remove File and Folder Permissions
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;q308418

HOW TO Set, View, Change, or Remove Special Permissions for Files and
Folders
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;[LN];Q308419

HOW TO Set the My Documents Folder as Private in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;298399

Of course, if you have WinXP Pro, you can encrypt the desired
files/folders.

Best Practices for Encrypting File System
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;223316

For some requirements, you may find it easier to invest in a
3rd-party solution, such as NetNanny or CyberPatrol.

You need to be aware, however, that *NO* technical or software
solution is fool-proof, and _none_ can ever adequately take the place of
live adult supervision. You should also be aware that without physical
security, there is no security. Linux-based password cracking utilities
abound on the Internet, freely available to anyone who can use Google,
much less an expert. Anyone with a modicum of knowledge and the desire
can compromise any computer to which he/she has unfettered physical
access. If you cannot trust your daughter (and, judging by your post,
you can't) to safely/properly use the computer without supervision, you
may have to consider limiting her access to it.


--

Bruce Chambers

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