Is there a way to "lock up" certain files, folders, and programs?

Question

I recently had a problem with the people in my house accessing certain things from my computer that Id rather not say. Most of it is porn, but alot of it is some other illegal stuff. Is there a way that I can lock-up Yahoo Messanger, and other messanger services on my pc? along with other files and folders?

It's a family access computer, and I already have profiles set up, but the thing is that they keep deleting things of mine that they figure arent worth anything because it isnt porn or a game for them to play.

The certain things they are accessing is Kiddy-porn from the internet, already reported the sites visited myself, and like I said, deleting other things like a photo I had saved of me and my fioncee from our first date, a MUD client, some firewall software, everysong I had on my computer that wasn't rap/pop/rb, and have installed things like "Sim Date" and "CyberSlut Vila 3d" from random game sites.
I figured a way to ground them would be to cut access to messangers, and lock it down so the only game on there for them to have access to is minesweeper.
I considered buying DEEP FREEZE and GHOST software, but I dont wana spring for that much money yet if I can fix it easy enough without it.

The other illegal stuff would be games that you would normally have to pay for, and several other programs like Beastware, and other similar things

Answer 1

Create a new user profile for yourself and password it.
Only allow access to your 'secret' files through your username and password.
Anyone else can then use the computer but as long as they don't have your password, they can't access your stuff.

Either that or lock your bedroom door when you go out!

Answer 2

It depends :)

Possible scenarios:
S1) People are accessing "certain things" from the network.
A1) Just disable file-sharing for the folders you don't want others to see

S2) People are accessing "certain things" from the same computer as you.
A2) The best thing 2 do is to create different accounts and to make your folders private (just search for "make folders private" in Windows help). e.g. you can be the administrator and the others regular users

S3) "Locking up Yahoo Messenger" - there's no need to do that. Just unchecked the check-box "Remember my ID and Password" - that should do it, or see S2.

S4) "Another messenger services" on your PC can be anything from the Windows messenger service to Skype. The first one is used to receive messages from the network (as in command prompt [cmd]: c:\net send * Hello world!) - this one can be closed form "My computer -> Manage -> Service and Applications -> Services -> Messenger -> Stop). For anything else see S2.

If this is not enough please be more specific.

Answer 3

yes there is a way (in fact there are many ways)