From Leo's mailbag:
> From: A Computer User
> Sent: July 9, 2006
> To: Ask Leo!
> Subject: Is there a way my son could get the security password?
>
> Leo,
> Is there a way my son could get the security password for our
> computer without my knowing it? I noticed a note he made
> about w?nlogon.exe, is this a hacking help?
Well, the question's a little unclear, but I'm guessing the answer is
yes.
If by "security password", you really mean the password to the
administrator account, then yes, if your son has physical access to the
computer there are various tools out there that would allow him to get
admin access. Most tools cause the administrative password to be reset
(which is typically what most people are happy with), but I've seen at
least one that claims to be able to tell you what the administrator
password is.
I say "if hs has physical access to the computer" because most all of
these tools require rebooting the machine from floppy or CD.
So while we don't KNOW that he has access, anyone that can physically
access the machine, with the proper knowledge, could gain administrative
access. The bottom line about security is simple: if it's not
*physically* secure, then it's not secure.
Thanks for asking,
Leo
Article 1336
| Category:
Windows
