can someone get passed your password and login?

Question

when you switch on your pc/laptop and set a password is it possible for someone to get round it?

Answer 1

if they install spy software or key stroke software on you pc

Answer 2

Of course there is

You need to secure and scan your computer:

If you secure your computer and maintain it, use smart choices in the programs and habits you use, your computer will last longer than the 3 - 4 years it's designed to last.

Let's start from the outside in -

Router
This works like a hardware firewall. The router doesn't respond to most of the "are you there?" tactics hackers use. If some hacker's scanning for victims and manages to find you despite the security ... they'll see the router not your computer.

If it's a wireless router - secure it, secure it, secure it! Change the admin password. Put an encrypted password to connect. Look up all the ways to secure your particular router. Write down the settings.

Computer

Firewall
You need one. Yes, you do. And no, Microsoft's is NOT enough. Get Zonealarm, it's free. (link is below)

Browser
This is how most people see the internet. There's a high chance you're using the "blue e" aka Internet Explorer. This is not a good habit as IE hasn't been worked on (beyond fixes to problems people complain loudly about) in YEARS. It's big, slow, out-of-date, allows all kinds of nasties in, insecure, inflexible, and a major target for hackers.

Get Firefox - it's also free, sleek, faster, more secure, blocks pop-ups, is very customizable, easy to use, and once you start using tabs... you'll get frustrated with IE.
There are also very simple ways to NEVER see a banner / iframe / image ad again - it's an add-on to Firefox called Adblock Plus. I also recommend the automatic filter for Adblock - Filterset.G Updater.
All free (Links are below)

Other programs that find stuff on the net (file sharing, instant messengers) are also a security risk. I don't know what you have / use, so I'd recommend looking up "securing thenameoftheprogram" on google.

Get and install all updates to all your programs - Windows, your browser, your anti-virus, your anti-spyware, your router, you name it.

Ok, now we get to do the clean up part:

Anti-virus
Viruses can look through your computer, send your info to nasty people, fill up your hard drive, fry your computer... the list is endless.
I recommend AVG (Link is below)

Anti-spyware
Spyware / Adware / Malware are under the same category. Spyware watches what you do and sends the info to someone else. Adware shows you pop-ups regardless of your security settings. Malware is all of the above and more.
Ad-aware, Spyware Blaster and Spybot Search & Destroy are my recommendations and the links are below.

Uninstall programs you don't use.

Download "CCleaner" to find the files that are just clutter (temporary files, browser histories, browser caches, etc)

Get into the habit of defragging and checking your disk for errors (both are options under "My Computer", right click on your hard drive, choose "properties", click on the "tools") twice a month. You may want look up how to automate this through Scheduled Tasks.

Protect your computer from yourself and others:

Make each user on your computer their own Windows profile - and only give them (and yourself) limited accounts.
The only time you need full (admin) access is to install programs.

Make each person password protect their account.

Get into the habit of changing ALL your passwords once a month. Don't write down your passwords in a place others can find / use. Make passwords that use both numbers and letters and that are hard for anyone else to guess - I recommend keyboard patterns.

Do yourself a huge favour and get a UPS - uninteruptable power supply. This goes one step beyond a power surge protecter and gives you time to shut down the computer, saves your router, etc from losing their settings or being fried by power fluctuations.

Maybe you should print off this list and check it once a month...

Answer 3

Yes it is possible.

Here are some tips to help protect your PC.

Use a complex password, including numbers and symbols, better still, use a phrase rather than a single word eg 8rant m3 8cces (don't use that, but you get my drift).

Make sure you install anti-virus and anti spyware on your PC.

Don't use your computer password to set up accounts on websites or forums, use something different.

Watch the sites you visit, and more importantly what you download.

If you are computer savy and have XP Professional, setup a guest account, and use that for regular use on the computer, only use the administrator account to install new software or upgrades.

Answer 4

If they know the password, yes. Some PCs, you can remove the battery for at least 30 minutes and replace it and it will reset it.

Answer 5

Probably yes if u connect to the internet with a router or modem and the hacker can track ur service id and with technology stepping in scanning devices can do the same

Answer 6

depends sometimes when pc start and ask for a password you can hit cancel i think that was old windows on xp its user passwords

Answer 7

the real question will be why?? Server is purely by using truth the decision states for servers, vista has topics with video games (slower than xp), and xp is the person-friendly one in many cases good for each little component. a real twin boot will be more desirable like XP and Linux.

Answer 8

Yes, if they tie you to a chair, get a baseball bat with a nail stuck through it, and go to town on you and you cave easily... they can find anything out!

Answer 9

yes. spyware, and countless other things people do to access things on your personal info

Answer 10

Do not let any use your laptop. Hide it when you are not using it.