encrypting programs, aka ; in-law protection!!

[wojo629]

hope someone may have the answer...here is the scenario: as the summer approaches and the family comes to the house, someone always "has" to use my computer( i.e.: nosy in-laws, 12 year old computer tech wannabes)..what i would like to is lock down and/or encrypt newsreader (Agent - the pay version) and my hotmail account..does anyone out there have any good ideas? thanks in advance!!

[AlaricD]

They don't "have" to use it. Do they get to drive your car and wear your clothing?

Aside from the obvious answer, were you running XP you could create a "Guest" account and protect your folders.

In Win9x you could use Winzip to zip up those data directories and password protect them.

You could just hide the computer and say it's "in the shop", if you don't want to hurt anyone's feelings.

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CPU: Am386DX-40
FPU: Cx387DX-40
RAM: 32MB, 128KB Cache
HDD's: (2) 540MB
CDROM: GCD-R580B (8x)
VIDEO: 2MB Trident
SOUND: SB16 PnP
NIC: 3Com 3c509
OS: DR-DOS 7.04, Win3.11 w/ Win32s

[wojo629]

oooops, maybe i set the wrong tone, i don't really care if they use the computer...i just don't care for them to be reading what i've been reading!!

thanks for the response AlaricD..

should've given more details: 7sisters+3brothers+19nieces&nephews+house at beach(me by myself)= choas from Memorial day to Labor day...and the fact that my job requires me to be at work 24-36hrs straight..u see the prob now?

and they don't wear my clothes!! the car is a different story!

[AlaricD]

That's a lot of people... you'll probably want a computer available so people have something to do away from the others...

Maybe set up a little LAN for gaming, etc.

I imagine, then, that Winzipping with a password would be one way to ensure some privacy. Or, if you could get another HD on short notice, stick that in and install the basics so it's usable, and you can remove the original HD and lock it away somewhere.

Backing up the data to CD and removing it from the drive might also be viable.

------------------
CPU: Am386DX-40
FPU: Cx387DX-40
RAM: 32MB, 128KB Cache
HDD's: (2) 540MB
CDROM: GCD-R580B (8x)
VIDEO: 2MB Trident
SOUND: SB16 PnP
NIC: 3Com 3c509
OS: DR-DOS 7.04, Win3.11 w/ Win32s

[pmckinnie]

You could password your screensaver and set it to come on in 5 minutes if no activity. Of course the screen saver would be big "X" just to bug them.

cheers mac

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If computers are so smart, why can't they fix themselfs??

[wonderinguy34]

Doesn't Hotmail require a password ?Simply don't give it to them.If you use OE to read your Hotmail then create a Windows User profile with a Password.And as for your newsreader remove the .exe(if its not that large) for launching the app and email it to yourself or put it on a floppy and keep the floppy in a secure spot.

[This message has been edited by wonderinguy34 (edited 05-19-2002).]