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Posted by Stephen Howard on November 3, 2005, 3:04 pm
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>
>> Jim Watt wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>> >Is there a way to protect the comp with a boot password?
>>> >I mean a password before the system starts.
>>>
>>> You mean a bios password? Look at the screen before the
>>> OS loads and see what it asks you to do to enter the bios setup
>>> do that and look for setting a system password. Don't forget
>>> what you enter ...
>>
>> I'd imagine the OP was really talking about a *boot* password,*
>> occurring at a time, similar to when a laptop asks for a hard
>> drive password.
>>
>> It's a good question... I'd like to know, myself!
>>
>> Notan
>
>Yes, that is what i mean.
>A bios password is not that strong.
>Remove the cmos battery for a while and in most cases the bios password is
>gone.
>
Just about any password can be bypassed...and if someone has access to
the guts of your machine then, well, it's all over.
The common options are: System Password - simply prevents access to
the bios without a password; User Password - as per system, but also
prevents the computer booting; Boot Loader Password - third party app
which handles the boot process ( such as XOSL ).
All can be bypassed once access to the bios is gained - and in some
cases it's not even necessary to open up the machine. I've had bioses
crash on a power outage and reset themselves to default.
If you want real protection from prying eyes then encryption is the
way to go.
Password protection offers convenient low-key ( excuse pun )
protection from casual browsers, but decent encryption app will keep
your data safe from all but those with the necessary clout ( and money
) needed to crack the code.
I use, and recommend, Blowfish Advanced CS.
Regards,
--
Stephen Howard - Woodwind repairs & period restorations
www.shwoodwind.co.uk
Emails to: showardshwoodwindcouk
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