Broadband Tech > Security > Security > HELP! My son is a little hacker!!

HELP! My son is a little hacker!!

Change the password?

reply to j0hny
Install a kill switch on the machine. Of course it must be locked away as well.

Nothing will stop a hacker, who has physical access to the machine.
This is plain and simple logic. Now all you have is make it
hard to startup.

reply to j0hny
Why would you think that some software, assuming there was some, would be any better than the current login? Change the password to something he's not likely guess. Try this one: kIn2Mxqm56CxY You get the idea.

reply to EUS
I've tried this, he found out how to get in by deleting the password in dos. It's easy to find out when he's done this because I have no password when I log in. Yes I do ground him when this happens, but I also can't help in feeling a sense of pride in his ingenuity . This is why I was wondering if the was something else I could use, or replace the Windows login with.

reply to j0hny
Lock your computer in a room with a fingerprint lock.

reply to j0hny
did you create a password for the "administrator" account? if not, that is probably how he is able to bypass any other passwords, if he can login to the administrator account by simply leaving the password for it blank..

to create a password for the administrator account, go to "start"/"run" and type "control userpasswords2" and then press "OK" and then create a password for the "administrator" account..

reply to j0hny

said by j0hny:

I've tried this, he found out how to get in by deleting the password in dos. It's easy to find out when he's done this because I have no password when I log in. Yes I do ground him when this happens, but I also can't help in feeling a sense of pride in his ingenuity . This is why I was wondering if the was something else I could use, or replace the Windows login with.

reply to j0hny
Easy solution buy PGP... you can encrypt your entire hard disk so that FBI can't get in... Your son has no chance to get in...

Just search google for PGP... pgp.com

sorted!!!

reply to j0hny

Re: HELP! My son is a little hacker!!

reply to javaMan

said by javaMan:

said by j0hny:

I've tried this, he found out how to get in by deleting the password in dos. It's easy to find out when he's done this because I have no password when I log in. Yes I do ground him when this happens, but I also can't help in feeling a sense of pride in his ingenuity . This is why I was wondering if the was something else I could use, or replace the Windows login with.

He's probably using something like this. In that case you should go into the BIOS and not allow booting from the CD drive first. Then set the BIOS password with a strong password. That should do it I would think.

reply to redwolfe_98

reply to Drunkula
but the disk encryption wont even let you into the OS (or even the disk in any way) without the password... so as long as the father did a scan and a check for keyloggers... son has no chance.

reply to j0hny
A) Make sure the computer is in a visible place within the house so he can't *sneak* onto it.

B) Get a router (if you don't have one) and lock down internet access by time (such as no access during the hours when you aren't home) or even permanently unless you are the one giving access (annoying to have to do each time, but oh well....).

C) Put the PC in a room that can be locked.

D) Take the ethernet cable with you when you leave the PC.

E) Tell the kid to cut the crap.

If you're really serious (use with extreme care!!):

»support.microsoft.com/kb/310105

The article below focuses on Vista, but as the MS link above shows, syskey is available and works on XP also:

By default, the syskey is stored on the computer itself and is randomly generated during Windows Setup. This information is then spread across the registry (called "scattering") in a pattern which is unique for your Windows installation ("obfuscation"). Using the syskey.exe tool included with Windows in the system32 folder, you can change the way the syskey is stored or derived. A first option is to store the key on a floppy disk. You simply can't boot the pc without the floppy and you can't retrieve secured information without having the key (but remember that unprotected data physically stored on the harddisk is not protected). Another mode enables you to enter a system boot password which is used to derive the master key from. Check out the syskey.exe tool but do it with care.

»community.bartdesmet.net/blogs/b···471.aspx

EDIT: grammar
--
JIHAD WATCH~~9275 DEADLY TERROR ATTACKS SINCE 9/11

reply to j0hny

Re: HELP! My son is a little hacker!!

reply to j0hny
Its called a trip to the woodshed and spare not the lavishing of instructional drubbing.
--
Team Discovery

reply to j0hny
make your account the admin and password it with a strong and not "obvious" key (not like his birthday, or a family pet name...).

password the bios and disable Booting from CD drive.
(if you don't know how, ask...the folks here are the best!)

Lastly, you can physically disable access to the computer, with a router that has access control (parental settings, proxy, limit URLs, and time of day access...), physically remove the cat5 cable, along with powercord and lock them up. Home Shopping network was selling a timed-lock box that takes the powercord and only allows power to device at specific times. Put the PC in an open area of the house that is supervised at all times.

Your son is not a hacker. He is clever and doesn't have enough to keep him occupied. See first suggestion.