Urgent Technical Know-How Required

Cali you want to access your ex's pc as you have information stored on the 'Desktop'? You want to do this by basically changing the passwords so only you can access the computer? Have I understood you correctly?

Zonked - not quite...

STBX has a laptop and he's set a password to prevent me glancing towards it, that's fine, I accidently found out about his dirty secrets another way.

I use the "family" computer, it was set up with 4 users (his is the administrator). The kids and STBX all use their laptops and very rarely use the family desktop.

He said I would get the desktop in the separation and as I have found out he has been viewing my files, I want to be able to check everything. All I want to do is when I'm not using the sektop, be able to put a quick lock on with password.

I do not want to survielle his laptop and as he doesn't generally use the desktop, however I want to able to protect access as I believe the administrator can view all documents.

That's it, sounds simple. I have already copied files I want to USB key and password protected some files.

Maybe I should go back to the crayons with Milby ?
Supercali xx

The admin password can override the local account passwords therefore your information is not necessarily secure.

On XP systems I use an application called Winternals ERD Commander 2005 which allows you to boot a PC from the CD and change the passwords, including admin, to whatever you like. If stbx does not use the PC, you can set the passwords to whatever you like and your account will then be secure. If you change the kids' passwords, you can ask them to reset their own to their preferred choice using the Start>Control Panel>User accounts menu.

You can also use local password protected files, encryption or offline storage such as livedrive.com which allows you to map a drive to a secure internet storage facility. This means the information is not storaged on your PC and you will be able to accept it from any other PC using a internet connection and the appropriate credentials.

Charles

Thanks, that's my homework for tomorrow set. On a more serious note, what are the implications of a STBX reading the estranged partners files? Is he on dodgy ground by doing this and are there any cases where computer hacking between spouses has been used in court?
Just interested to know the facts in case I need to spell it out to him, that's after I have told him I am going to record his vicious tongue.
Dog eat dog world out there aint it?
Supercali xx

It would be covered by the misuse of computers act, 3 offences -

• unauthorised access to computer material, punishable by 6 months' imprisonment or a fine "not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale" (currently £5000);


• unauthorised access with intent to commit or facilitate commission of further offences, punishable by 6 months/maximum fine on summary conviction or 5 years/fine on indictment;


• unauthorised modification of computer material, subject to the same sentences as section 2 offences.

It's possible he could be accessing your machine over your home network, renaming the administrator account and deleting his as I detailed earlier will stop this.