Password encryption in XP - Tech Support Forums

HOlmes101 · January 15th, 2007, 10:07 PM

So I got a new laptop for Christmas and am working on securing it. I've got the basics down. My question is about the password encryption in xp. I know it can be changed but I don't remember how to. I always have people trying to get into my computer and the ones that have physical access actually succeed without this changed.
Thanks for any help or advice.

mujjuman · January 16th, 2007, 01:22 AM

you should try looking into 3rd party security software.

HOlmes101 · January 16th, 2007, 01:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mujjuman

you should try looking into 3rd party security software.

No, no third party software is required to do this. It's just a simple hack for windows. A few registry modifications and a restart is all thats required. I just can't remember how its done.

HOlmes101 · January 17th, 2007, 01:27 AM

How 'bout a bumpy poo?

Keymaker · January 17th, 2007, 01:41 AM

Ok, do you know how to get the computer into safe mode?

Be sure to do this and set the default admin account with a password, if you hadn't done so already!

Go into the control panel and find "user accounts". You will see the accounts for setting their passwords as well.

If you want to encrypt data in XP just right click the folder and select encrypt. (xp-pro only) and has to be a NTFS partition.

Do you want to hide your log in name? I know the reg keys for that as well. You simply would press a couple keys at the log in screen and type in your user name and password. Your user name will be hidden from view.

There's also control userpasswords2 typed into run. I done this before and it turns Windows into classic setting though.

Be aware that sam and syskey can be cracked. A third party encryption program for encrypting data would be more suitable, such as truecrypt.

Keymaker · January 17th, 2007, 02:06 AM

Here's some more info.

http://www.practicalpc.co.uk/computi...xpencrypt1.htm

By far the best way of securing your computer will be at the BIOS level. But there is a way around that too.

Only to the most determined.

To get into BIOS press F2 at start up or may be del.

To get into safe mode press F7 at start up.

http://www.jakeludington.com/ask_jak...indows_xp.html

mujjuman · January 17th, 2007, 05:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HOlmes101

No, no third party software is required to do this. It's just a simple hack for windows. A few registry modifications and a restart is all thats required. I just can't remember how its done.

honestly, i can circumvent almost every security software out there. ive tried it and ive succeeded. a Windows hack is child's play, and 3rd party software is a bit harder to go around.

Keymaker · January 17th, 2007, 06:24 AM

You will never "circumvent" a cascade of cyphers and for that matter AES or DES IE: Truecrypt

Here, crack a simple .zip file than.

If you want, I give you a true crypt container to crack as well.

Getting into Windows is easy but adding the BIOS password is a step harder for the not to bright.

Hey, great info. you provide the OP!

HOlmes101 · January 17th, 2007, 01:52 PM

I don't think that truecrypt would work... I'm trying to change the SAM file encryption which the passwords are stored in. If I encrypted it with truecrypt then windows would not be able to read it and I'd be locked out of my computer... If the encryption is changed then standard password crackers will not be able to read the file, thus preventing the hack. If theres a way to make windows xp read the truecrypt file then please let me know.

||Console|| · January 17th, 2007, 04:04 PM

Pretty much you are sol if they want to get in they will .
Bios pw - meh reset the bios =)
windows pw - linux boot disk erase Password file reboot done.

you best bet might be to setup a hiden switch that must be triped before you pc can turn on .