how to secure computer from unauthorized use?

[Allinlife]

so basically im moving to dorms tomorrow (yea kinda late, but realized commuting is not the way lol)

gonna be moving my computer with dell 30'' monitor

I obv don't really want anyone to open up my PT or login to my poker sites.. i know it's a thin shot but i'm not willing to take any risk.

what are some safe methods to only allow computer for my own use?

[goldtoes]

umm do you have a password on your XP account??

the would be the first step, i would say.

second step: just in case...maybe don't auto-save the logins to the poker sites.

edit: and oh yea, make sure everyone knows that you'll beat their ass if they touch it.

[kidpokeher]

Password to logon to XP should be sufficient but I would also select the password protect option for your screensaver.

[Dotti]

I would also set the BIOS to ask for a password on booting up

[evil twin]

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.

[Freakin]

also set the administrator password for XP. most OEMs leave it blank by default.

Make sure file & printer sharing is disabled.

Make your My Document folder private and store any sensitive data in there

[BiPolar_Nut]

physical access == pwned

The above suggestions may help, but it won't by any means be "secured from unauthorized use" if you have a determined or hyper-curious roomie or roomie's friend. Padlocking the case shut after setting a BIOS password would be a good idea as well...but still just a minor deterrent.

You make money playing poker on line. Roomie will eventually know this. You're a target...even moreso w/ a balla monitor ("I bet he has 5 figures in his poker accounts"). It's not hard to figure out your class schedule and hence, when someone would have the 5-10 mins they'd need to get in, bypass security, and empty your online accounts. Might take twice if you save no passwords and they need to first install a keylogger. Just off the top of my head I can think of a slew of ways you could be ripped off.

Consider using a hotswappable hard drive as your boot drive and carry it with you every time you leave your room. Encrypt any drives left in the system...and check your keyboard cable for any in-line (or inductive) device prior to each use [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img] (and on that note, you better not be using a cordless keyboard).

[Shadowrun]

[ QUOTE ]
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.

[/ QUOTE ]

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

[Hand_Crasher]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
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.

[/ QUOTE ]

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

[/ QUOTE ]

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

[Freakin]

oh! oh! set up a security webcam! that would be tight. have it write the video files to a friend's networked computer or something...

But yeah, you're basically screwed if someone wants your stuff bad enough