User Accounts

[Guest]

I am using WinXP SP2 Home edition. I have set up 2 separate user accounts,
with passwords. Is there any way to bypass the logon process - in other
words, is there a way to gain access to an account without knowing the
password of either account?

 

[Ted Zieglar]

An administrator can access any file on the computer.

 

[Malke]

I am using WinXP SP2 Home edition. I have set up 2 separate user
accounts,
with passwords. Is there any way to bypass the logon process - in
other words, is there a way to gain access to an account without
knowing the password of either account?

Of course. Are you asking because you've forgotten a password or because
you want to make sure your stuff stays private? Post back with what you
are really trying to do and want to know for more focused help.

Malke

 

[Guest]

I suspect that my daughter is accessing the computer, even though she has not
been given a password for either of our accounts. Thus, my question about
whether she could be by-passing the password requirement in order to gain
access to the system. Is there a way she could be doing this? and, if so,
is there anything I can do about it?

 

[Malke]

I suspect that my daughter is accessing the computer, even though she
has not
been given a password for either of our accounts. Thus, my question
about whether she could be by-passing the password requirement in
order to gain
access to the system. Is there a way she could be doing this? and,
if so, is there anything I can do about it?

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

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

 

[Ted Zieglar]

Boot to Safe Mode and Windows' built in Administrator account becomes
available (from the Welcome Screen, for example.) The built in
Administrator is like any other Administrator account. Most people don't
know this, and so Windows' built in Administrator account is not
password protected.

If you decide to password protect the built in Administrator account,
don't ever lose the password. The built in Administrator is often the
last hope when a computer gets messed up.

If your daughter does not know the password to any other account, and if
her own account is not Administrator, the only way she could access
other accounts is through guessing the password or hacking. Hacking
requires the knowledge to use hacking tools.

 

[Guest]

Thanks
--
John

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

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
--
Elephant Boy Computers
www.elephantboycomputers.com
"Don't Panic!"
MS-MVP Windows - Shell/User