Re: How do I protect folders from teenage eyes?

John Wunderlich wrote:

Win2k SP4

I have lots of financial data that I do not want to be public
within the family. The problem is that my computer is used on
occasion by my kids. Is there a way that I can secure folders so
that the contents, including sub-folders, can only be opened with
a password when there is a call for the folder or any of its
contents?

Thanks
Ken K



"NewScience" <newscience83@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in
news:uMK87PsIHHA.2312@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx:


Create each kids (or group them) under one account, with Account
Type set to Limited User.
Change their interface so that other than applications you permit
in the Start Menu | Programs, they are locked into their profile.

When they login and bring up WIndows Explorer under their account,
all they see as far as folders is My Documents downward (since you
have unchecked Show Hidden Files and Folders and unchecked Show
System files and folders).

You can even prevent them from using the Run command so they
cannot circumvent your settings.

They can still to everything else (unless you restrict them with
additional settings), while also protecting you AND the system.

There are just a couple of registry settings to set, or you can
use MS free application Microsoft Shared Computer Toolkit (which
REALLY locks them down).


IMHO, that's a lot of work for very little protection.
If I were a determined teenager, I'd simply boot the system from a Linux Live CD and look at or copy off whatever files I wanted to while leaving no trace. Windows protections are only enforced by Windows, Linux doesn't understand them.... and teenagers can be quite resourceful.

The only serious protection Windows affords is the Encrypting File System (EFS) which is only available with Windows XP Pro. And even then, unless you are psychic enough to know how to back up certificates (and actually do it), it's only a matter of time before you lose all your data permanently.

EFS is available on Windows 2000.

John
.

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