Windows XP Logon/computer security

[Guest]

I have the master account on our computer. I changed the password for
windows log on and I also had to change my password for aol for the 2nd time.
Somebody sent bulk email from my aol account. This happened 2 days in a
row.

I changed password for aol plus windows log on and wrote them down. I
rebooted computer and I cannot log onto windows. And I am pretty certain I
wrote the new password down correctly.

What do I do now????? (I've logged on from son's login for now.)
Idealsummerluv

 

[Rock]

I have the master account on our computer. I changed the password for
windows log on and I also had to change my password for aol for the 2nd
time.
Somebody sent bulk email from my aol account. This happened 2 days in a
row.

I changed password for aol plus windows log on and wrote them down. I
rebooted computer and I cannot log onto windows. And I am pretty certain
I
wrote the new password down correctly.

What do I do now????? (I've logged on from son's login for now.)
Idealsummerluv

If that account is an admin level account then just change the password on
your account. Use Control Panel | Users. If it's not an admin account then
login with the built in Administrator account. For XP Pro at the welcome
screen do
ctrl-alt-del twice then type in Administrator and the password.

If XP Home boot into safe mode. Restart the computer, as the BIOS splash
screen disappears repeatedly tap the F8 key until the Advanced Options menu
appears, highlight Safe Mode, press enter. At the welcome screen the
administrator account should be visible. Normal the password for it is
blank, so just click on it.

If none of this works then use this utility to reset the Administrator
password.

http://home.eunet.no/pnordahl/ntpasswd/editor.html

If you are normally operating in the built in Administrator account, this is
not a good practice. That account should be set aside for use when a
problem arises with your normal account (like this). Create a new account
with admin privileges, login to it at least once, then copy the
data/settings from the Administrator account to the new one and use that
one.

HOW TO Create and Configure User Accounts in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=279783

How to Copy a User Profile
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/win_xp_logon.htm

Once you get the password issue straightened out do a thorough scan for
malware.

Malware Removal
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware

THE PARASITE FIGHT
Finding, Removing & Protecting Yourself From Scumware
http://aumha.org/a/parasite.htm

Richard Harper’s Guide to Cleaning Pests
http://rgharper.mvps.org/cleanit.htm

 

[Guest]

I think we need to be clear what the issue is here. AOL accounts are
notorious for being used as "From:" addresses by spammers - so you get the
bounces from all the undeliverable spam. . If so, this isn't a fault in your
security, rather in AOL's in that spammers can (presumably) get hold of lists
of AOL members - a process known as harvesting.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

I have the master account on our computer. I changed the password for
windows log on and I also had to change my password for aol for the 2nd time.
Somebody sent bulk email from my aol account. This happened 2 days in a
row.

I changed password for aol plus windows log on and wrote them down. I
rebooted computer and I cannot log onto windows. And I am pretty certain I
wrote the new password down correctly.

What do I do now????? (I've logged on from son's login for now.)
Idealsummerluv

Simply log in using the built-in Administrator account (which
cannot be deleted) and modify the desired account(s) and use Start > Run

"control userpasswords2" to modify the desired account(s).

By design, the only way to log into the Administrator account of
WinXP Home is to reboot into Safe Mode. For WinXP Pro, pressing
CTRL+ALT+DEL twice at the Welcome Screen will produce the standard login
dialog box.

How to Log On to Windows XP If You Forget Your Password or Your
Password Expires
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q321305

Failing that, Linux-based password cracking utilities abound on the
Internet, freely available to anyone who can use Google.



--

Bruce Chambers

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