Locking down a computer - Page 2

Ghoulish Delight · 03-25-2010, 03:46 PM

If they want true lock-down, BIOS password is the way to go (possibly in combination with physically locking the case if he is smart/determined enough to get to the motherboard to defeat that).

BarTopDancer · 03-25-2010, 04:07 PM

You're right. I asked for options, not opinions. Not my kid, and it's not like I am going to pass on criticism of their parenting on to them.

Like I said, I don't know what he is doing and I don't know if it's my buddy's wife overreacting. I'll pass on the suggestions and find out more.

Locking it at the BIOS level may be the best idea. Of course that could also seriously fvck things up if they ever forget the password.

Ghoulish Delight · 03-25-2010, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BarTopDancer

Locking it at the BIOS level may be the best idea. Of course that could also seriously fvck things up if they ever forget the password.

As PB points out, a jumper (or often just removing the battery) clears the password, problem solved. Which is why physically locking the system would be necessary if that's the route they go.

Ghoulish Delight · 03-25-2010, 04:14 PM

Perhaps, but a far larger speedbump than any software solution.

Kevy Baby · 03-25-2010, 04:33 PM

I got nothing to offer that much brighter minds than I have posted, but I am really curious what this kid is doing.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BarTopDancer

Locking it at the BIOS level may be the best idea. Of course that could also seriously fvck things up if they ever forget the password.

Then just write the password on a Post-It and stick it on the monitor - I found that is very helpful for passwords I forget.

______________

The never-ending fun that is my boss and technology...

Since we are a small (7 people) company, we do not use an Exchange Server: we just use POP email from Go Daddy. Not the best solution, but it gets the job done. I am the one who does the minor maintenance (adding/deleting users, etc.), so I have access to our Admin on Go Daddy.

A while back, the ever-paranoid boss wanted his password changed for his email so that no-one would know what it was - even me. I didn't bother to tell him that I can see his email at any time I want through the Admin function.

He recently got an iPhone and wanted his work email synced with his iPhone. He completely forgot that he set his password to something opnly he knew and did not know what it was (and also claimed that he never did this). So I reset it for him.

BarTopDancer · 03-25-2010, 04:20 PM

Thanks GD. Appreciate it.

SzczerbiakManiac · 03-25-2010, 04:31 PM

In addition to the other suggestions, any option they choose which involves a password needs to be a secure password. Birthdates, pet names, dictionary words are useless. They need to get a strong password. A minimum of ten characters long (more is better) using mixed case letters, numbers, and punctuation. Absolutely no names, partial names, nor any word which appears in the dictionary.

Under no circumstances should this password be written down and placed near the computer! This "kid" sounds pretty sneaky, if they write down the password, he'll find it.

If they can't think of a good password on their own, go here and get a "random" one-time-use password.

Kevy Baby · 03-25-2010, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SzczerbiakManiac

If they can't think of a good password on their own, go here and get a "random" one-time-use password.

Now, HERE'S a frickin password:
ba^0e6uak-ZKKJWHwi)6=eWcG@nlsOy';>5^^yfOaV{TrbW~Xv&N.M3r1[@dStJ

Morrigoon · 03-25-2010, 04:34 PM

Might be easier to use software to TRACK what he does, rather than stop it. And use another form of punishment when he violates their "trust". They could probably put some sort of tracker on at the network level if they have it set up that way (the way companies do). But you'd know more about that than I do.

But in terms of teaching the kid something, forcing him to make the right choices (correcting him when he makes poor choices) rather than making the choices for him will teach him more.

Kevy Baby · 03-25-2010, 04:41 PM

Or there is this solution:

03-25-2010, 03:46 PM	#1
Ghoulish Delight I Floop the Pig Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Alternative Swankstyle Posts: 19,348	If they want true lock-down, BIOS password is the way to go (possibly in combination with physically locking the case if he is smart/determined enough to get to the motherboard to defeat that). __________________ 'He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me.' -TJ
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03-25-2010, 04:07 PM	#2
BarTopDancer Prepping... Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Here, there, everywhere Posts: 11,405	You're right. I asked for options, not opinions. Not my kid, and it's not like I am going to pass on criticism of their parenting on to them. Like I said, I don't know what he is doing and I don't know if it's my buddy's wife overreacting. I'll pass on the suggestions and find out more. Locking it at the BIOS level may be the best idea. Of course that could also seriously fvck things up if they ever forget the password. __________________ Spork is the new MacGyver Postcards From My Edge
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03-25-2010, 04:14 PM	#4
Ghoulish Delight I Floop the Pig Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Alternative Swankstyle Posts: 19,348	Perhaps, but a far larger speedbump than any software solution. __________________ 'He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me.' -TJ
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03-25-2010, 04:20 PM	#6
BarTopDancer Prepping... Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Here, there, everywhere Posts: 11,405	Thanks GD. Appreciate it. __________________ Spork is the new MacGyver Postcards From My Edge
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03-25-2010, 04:31 PM	#7
SzczerbiakManiac "ZER-bee-ak" Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 4,409	In addition to the other suggestions, any option they choose which involves a password needs to be a secure password. Birthdates, pet names, dictionary words are useless. They need to get a strong password. A minimum of ten characters long (more is better) using mixed case letters, numbers, and punctuation. Absolutely no names, partial names, nor any word which appears in the dictionary. Under no circumstances should this password be written down and placed near the computer! This "kid" sounds pretty sneaky, if they write down the password, he'll find it. If they can't think of a good password on their own, go here and get a "random" one-time-use password. __________________
	Submit to Quotes

03-25-2010, 04:34 PM	#9
Morrigoon I throw stones at houses Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Location: Location Posts: 9,534	Might be easier to use software to TRACK what he does, rather than stop it. And use another form of punishment when he violates their "trust". They could probably put some sort of tracker on at the network level if they have it set up that way (the way companies do). But you'd know more about that than I do. But in terms of teaching the kid something, forcing him to make the right choices (correcting him when he makes poor choices) rather than making the choices for him will teach him more. __________________ http://bash.org/?top "It is useless for sheep to pass a resolution in favor of vegetarianism while wolves remain of a different opinion." -- William Randolph Inge
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03-25-2010, 04:41 PM	#10
Kevy Baby Chowder Head Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Yes Posts: 18,500	Or there is this solution: __________________ The thing about quotes on the internet is that you cannot verify their validity. - Abraham Lincoln
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