If a computer was compromised...

[gamblingman]

I was reading the other post on if a computer was stolen. And it made me wonder.

Well couldn't someone who got a computer just use F8 to open in safe mode and thus bypass the safety measures. Couldn't they also reset the passwords to the other accounts? I've only used safe mode a few times so I'm not that familiar with it. If passwords can be reset from there, then is there a way to put a password on the safe mode account?

I have tried to secure my computer as much as possible against viruses and other internet threats. But I never considered that someone might be able to invade my laptop this way, through theft.

I want to make it as hard as possible for anyone to use my computer if its stolen. Given that a LOT of criminals are pretty dumb, as we see on tv a lot of the time. I just dont want to take the chance. I paid a lot for my system, and I want anyone who would take it to regret it.

Anyone know of ways to increase the security of windows so that its almost impossible to get in unauthorized? I have XP on a Dell 1520 laptop, if that helps.

I use LoJack and I have my files on a backup, so no worry there. And I don't want it to be secured so strongly that its a pain to use every day.

Any thoughts?

 

[Motoxrdude]

If you set the Administrator password, they won't be able to get around it in safe mode.

 

[gamblingman]

security

That's what I thought, but I wasn't sure. But could that create problems for me, assuming I don't forget the password? ( Which is what would probably happen! )

 

[johnb35]

Thats why you create a password reset disk. Google it.

 

[hondro]

That's what I thought, but I wasn't sure. But could that create problems for me, assuming I don't forget the password? ( Which is what would probably happen! )

http://home.eunet.no/~pnordahl/ntpasswd/

 

[gamblingman]

security...

So... if someone REALLY wanted into my computer they would have to go to some pretty extreme measures. I dont hav anything so important that someone would want to mess with all that.

Makes me feel better that it takes so much to get into a password protected computer. It does bring me to the understanding that I should make a password reset disk before putting a password on my administrator (safe mode) account. Otherwise, ouch!

I appreciate all the great feedback from everyone.