how can i tell when someone has been running my computer while i am not at home.?

Question

when i come home and turn on my computer things seem to be changed around---like my tool bar has been changed-- a photo shop was added (i know i didn't do that) nobody will admit to ANYTHING. How can i check to see what is really going on. Any advice would really be really helpful.

Answer 1

then u need to set up a user account for urself
go to control panel>user accounts>create a new account
then follow the steps
after u created the account
u hav to log in everytime u start the window
but only u got the password so u can use the pc

Answer 2

.
I will answer two options you have in A and B
below.

A.
Factitively on your computer will show up in the Internet Explorer side panel for "history"...including off line requests.
Off line requests for onboard programs will show up under MyComputer.
To see the activity open IE > click the top toolbar History Icon, and a side panel will open. You can view activity for as many days as you have set your History to retain...
that is, unless other users have enough savvy as to delete their tracks.

a. Open Internet Explorer > above click TOOLS >
Internet Options >
b. tab GENERAL > frame History
c. click the little side arrow up or down to increase or decrease the number of days you want to retain
users history.


B.
You can also set your computer to "lock" with a password needed to log on to your account after only a few minutes of being idle.

To lock your computer screen, and prevent anyone from using it unless they have the password:
Caution: For this operation, you must first have your computer password.
1. RIGHT click a blank space on your desktop.
2. Click Properties >
3. tab Screensaver > frame Screensaver > select an active screensaver.
4. Now click the side arrow on the WAIT box and set it to 5 or 10 minutes
5. Now check the box
"On resume, password protect".
6. Click apply > OK
Caution: Now you and everyone will need the computer password to unlock the computer when the screen closes.
If you don't have the password, don't do this.
If you set the time to 5 minutes, it will lock every time it is idle for 5 minutes, and a screen requesting the password will appear.


h2h

Answer 3

What you want is known as a keylogger. Ghost Keylogger, and others have the capability in the full version, to log all conversations, all keystrokes, all clicks of the mouse screen shotted at the jpg resolution you decide (higher quality for bigger drives, low for less space).

Plus they have the ability to remain hidden from ctrl + alt + del.

Silently and in the background, they keep a hidden screenshot and text record of all that goes on on your pc, so any password entered, any text, the time of the keystrokes, everything is captured.

For starters, try http://www.keylogger.net/
or http://www.blazingtools.com/bpk.html

Be sure to take the time after setup to test that you have it checkmarked under options to hide from other users, hide from ctrl + alt + del task viewer, and that it is working (test a few keystrokes)

This should fix your problem, and you can present the hard evidence to them.

P.S. Here to help, a freeware app like http://www.ccleaner.com/ will clear all internet explorer, firefox, opera histories, drop down lists, and index dat files on reboot in addition to windows recent histories. Your suggestion does no good if they use a clean up tool such as c-cleaner.

Answer 4

There some devices that can "lock" your computer which only lets you be able to use it with a "key". This is one device I know of that you put into a USB port sort of like a key and a lock. I've never used it yet but I've heard good praises on it.
http://store.securikey.com/detail.aspx?ID=5

Reviews
http://www.tabletpc2.com/Review-SecuriKey.htm
http://www.macworld.com/2005/02/reviews/securikey/index.php
http://www.lockergnome.com/nexus/hardware/2004/11/04/security-is-key-securikey/

Answer 5

Set up a power on password in the bios. Then if they turn on the machine, don't know the password, they can't get in. Also set up user accounts for yourself and password protect the screen saver in case you leave it on.

Answer 6

You could wipe down the power button (for example) before you leave. Then when you get back, blow a bit of baby powder on it to see if there are any finger prints on it. You can do the same with the keyboard.

Answer 7

Well.. my advice is to make a password for your account on the computer and enable the guest account.

Answer 8

LOL. Its happened to me before. Ive got kids.