how many users are there in my computer?

Question

there are currently 2 users in my computer... none is password protected... is there anyway someone can create another user without me knowing it? without me seeing the user when i on my computer? how can i find that out?

many thanks!!!

Answer 1

just delete the user profile you are not using in "control panel" > users.

if after some time the strange additional user comes back, then you should be wary.

ps: press "ctrl" and "alt" and "del" keys at the same time and click "users" on the pop-up window to check if any other users are connected.

mercury of love

Answer 2

Any person who has or has access to an administrative password (assuming there is even a password installed) can do anything they want and that includes creating additional passwords.

You should have the only administrative username and password. Only people with administrative passwords can create passwords. Everyone else should have their own "restricted account". The Guest account allow access to everyone; this must be disabled.

See below how to set this up.


Restricting access to your computer:

Most computers allow creating a BIOS password. Without a password your DVD/CD or floppy drives can not be used to boot the computer or reinstall Windows, bypassing all your Windows passwords. It also prevents the hard drives from being used, preventing entering Windows “safe mode” which can be used to modify your passwords.
The bios password can be easily defeated.
http://www.protectiveparenting.com/web/html/modules.php?name=News&file=print&sid=10
http://pcworld.about.com/magazine/2204p103id114727.htm

Windows XP passwords:
All accounts must have passwords. Each person must have a separate username and password to sign on the computer. You must have an “Administrative” account. Only the administrative account can create new passwords. Everyone else should have “Restricted Access” accounts.
Do not enable automatic logon.
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/setup/winxp/accounts.mspx
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/setup/winxp/switchusers.mspx

Turn off the guest account
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/setup/tips/soleuser.mspx

Protect your computer from access when you are temporarily away from your computer by using a screen saver password
http://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/windows/xp/all/proddocs/en-us/display_assign_screensaver_password.mspx?mfr=true

Each person (if you allow) should have a separate email account.

A determined person can break or disable or get around all passwords.
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Restricting Internet Access

Your internet service provider probably provides a method to control access to the internet. I have ATT they have parental controls to limit access. Each user can have a separate account. A master password is required to change settings. Settings allow selecting for each user: Allowed times during the day; maximum hours of use; set ratings for types of content allowed to be viewed.
http://help.yahoo.com/sbc/tutorials/olp/tut_olp_index.html
http://help.yahoo.com/sbc/tutorials/ypc/pc_timer1.html

I am not recommending this software, but it pages clearly show setting up internet profiles and customizing the restrictions.
http://www.pchomesoft.com/keywords.html
http://www.pchomesoft.com/limit_kids_control_guide.html
http://www.pchomesoft.com/images/kta2.gif
http://www.pchomesoft.com/images/kta1.gif

Software downloads. Some free, some offer a limited trial.
http://www.download.com/3120-20_4-0.html?tg=dl-20&qt=parental&tag=srch

Reviews of programs that restrict net access:
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1895,1986753,00.asp
http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/electronics-computers/internet-filtering-software-605/ratings/index.htm?resultPageIndex=1&resultIndex=3&searchTerm=parental%20controls
http://www.filterreview.com/pages/table1.htm
http://www.geek.com/news/geeknews/2001feb/gee20010215004355.htm
http://internet-filter-review.toptenreviews.com/

There are often ways to get around content restrictions and defeat filtering programs. Numerous web pages and chat rooms give tips on this subject. Kids have all the time in the world to experiment, you don’t.
http://duggmirror.com/security/A_Top_10_guide_to_accessing_blocked_websites_from_work/
http://cexx.org/censware.htm
http://www.totse.com/en/hack/understanding_the_internet/howtobypasscen170386.html

Answer 3

Why would anyone need to create an account if they could log on to yours in the first place? See a counselor for your paranoia