user accounts and keeping files secure

[CJ]

HI,

I have windows XP home and am computer administrator on the user
accounts. I have a son who has his own account, and is limited user.

I was under the impression that he could not see or access MY folders,
unless I specifically "shared" them. However, when I looked on his
screen I was able to open my private files, yet they are not ticked for
sharing.

Am I missing something here, any advice please. I am happy for him to
share certain folders etc, but not all my private folders.

Thank you

Colin

 

[Steven L Umbach]

Sharing applies only to network users. You can however configure your
folders to prevent access from other users by managing NTFS permissions
assuming you are using the NTFS file system as shown in the properties of
your drive in Windows Explorer. Double check that your son is not a member
of any other group than you expect. You can run the command net user
username to see a user's group membership. The link below explains how to
configure folder security with NTFS and be sure to read the sections that
apply to XP Home. If you are not using NTFS you can convert to it without
reinstalling the operating system using the command CONVERT C: /FS:NTFS from
a command prompt windows assuming C is the drive you want to convert. You
should also beware that any user that has full physical access to any
computer can access any file on the computer that is not encrypted if the
user has the desire and skills to compromise the computer. --- Steve

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;308418

 

[user]

Sharing applies only to network users. You can however configure your
folders to prevent access from other users by managing NTFS permissions
assuming you are using the NTFS file system as shown in the properties of
your drive in Windows Explorer. Double check that your son is not a member
of any other group than you expect. You can run the command net user
username to see a user's group membership. The link below explains how to
configure folder security with NTFS and be sure to read the sections that
apply to XP Home. If you are not using NTFS you can convert to it without
reinstalling the operating system using the command CONVERT C: /FS:NTFS from
a command prompt windows assuming C is the drive you want to convert. You
should also beware that any user that has full physical access to any
computer can access any file on the computer that is not encrypted if the
user has the desire and skills to compromise the computer. --- Steve

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;308418

Thank you for this advice

Colin