how to secure computer from unauthorized use?

[LuckyTxGuy]

Wait....not sure if anyone has mentioned this yet or not, I scanned the replies and didn't see it.

You aren't worried about someone accessing the computer in general, the issue would be the person accessing personal files and more importantly your poker apps. Well don't hold me to this but I believe that TrueCrypt (an AWESOME free open source encryption program) will allow you to install programs within an encrypted "container" on the hard drive and they cannot be run without unencrypting that part of the drive. Do a Google search on TrueCrypt and see what you can find.

[LuckyTxGuy]

Ok, I'm back. I just did the Google search myself and yes, you can install and run programs from an encrypted TrueCrypt volume according to their website. That would be the perfect solution to your problem. Here is the FAQ at TrueCrypt's site.

http://www.truecrypt.org/faq.php

[Freakin]

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Ok, I'm back. I just did the Google search myself and yes, you can install and run programs from an encrypted TrueCrypt volume according to their website. That would be the perfect solution to your problem. Here is the FAQ at TrueCrypt's site.

http://www.truecrypt.org/faq.php

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what about the registry?

[neuroman]

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Yeah when the computer first boots press DEL or whatever the key is to go into the BIOS and password it. This will make it so you can't even boot the computer up without entering the correct password. This is very hard for people to get round. You can also password your login to XP but this is pretty insecure IMO, although worth doing as well.

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getting by bios is the easiest thing to do if it isnt a laptop i.e. has a tower

i had to do it a few times and i could/have shown people how to do it in 5 secs

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Do you mean opening the chassis and changing the jumper to clear the bios ?

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yeah, I'm curious as well. Or maybe zip out the BIOS battery?

Anyway, simple steps:

-Bios password
-Logon password
-Screen Saver Password (5 minutes)
also, get in the habit of locking your computer with CTRL-ALT-DEL everytime you get up
-Do not save p*ker passwords

this will deter anyone who is not a determined opponent, ie, it should deter 98% of interested dorm kids.

[LuckyTxGuy]

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Ok, I'm back. I just did the Google search myself and yes, you can install and run programs from an encrypted TrueCrypt volume according to their website. That would be the perfect solution to your problem. Here is the FAQ at TrueCrypt's site.

http://www.truecrypt.org/faq.php

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what about the registry?

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What do you mean? (I know what the registry is.lol) I'm just asking what are you implying? That the passwords would be saved in the registry or that the programs wouldn't be able to run from the TrueCrypt volume?

[IndyGuy]

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also, get in the habit of locking your computer with CTRL-ALT-DEL everytime you get up

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Or just use the WinKey+L combination.

[goldtoes]

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also, get in the habit of locking your computer with CTRL-ALT-DEL everytime you get up

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this only works if you are on a domain

[PLOlover]

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what about the registry?

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You could always get a commercial whole disk encryption program like secure star.

http://www.securstar.com/products_drivecryptpp.php

[hukilai]

Well, if a hacker has a physical access to the box, then if your content is not encrypted, you are screwed.
However, Windows XP has built-in hard-drive encryption mechanism. If it is activated, the worst a hacker could do is damaging your data, but he won't be able to use them in any way - (can't hack your passwords, get to PT/poker sites, etc.).
So you will have to have a backup copy of important data kept in a secure place.

If you do it in a proper manner, you should be fine.

[goldtoes]

you can encrypt all you want, but if i was your roommate, i would just use this.