Disable a Program

If it's "[i](just a local, nothing via internet)[/i]" ?

You sure it's an XP Update program you don't want her to see ? ;)

128-bit split-key encryption cannot be cracked by a [i]brute force[/i] attack. It would take all the computers in the world linked in parallel array the age of the universe to crack 128-bit encryption.

There are free e-mail encryption programs. The most popular throughout the world is PGP, available free from the Norway mirror:

http://www.pgp.com/downloads/index.html

Although it's listed as [i]trial ware[/i], there is no cost to you after the 30-day trial period. PGP is simple to use, and works seamlessly.

Each party must download the free software. Each party creates a unique [i]private key[/i] that is safeguarded; a [i]public key[/i] is shared and posted on an international server.

Anyone intercepting an encrypted e-mail sees only unintelligible gibberish. The only person (other than the sender) who can view the e-mail is the holder of the [i]private key[/i].

So if you wish to exchange [i]sensitive[/i] correspondence, use this nifty free software to keep it from prying eyes.

There are a couple of ways that a snoop could peruse your encrypted e-mail:

1) Relatively inexpensive key-cracking software is available that can correctly [i]guess[/i] any 8-character alphanumeric password within 24 hours. Armed with the password, the snoop can access the [i]private key[/i], and with that key, the snoop can decrypt the e-mail.

2) Somewhat pricier keylogger software is available that will store the typed-in password and send that information to a snoop:

http://www.eblaster.com/

You can safeguard yourself from the 1st peril by using a [i]strong[/i] password: at least 10 characters, mix of upper and lower case letters and numerals, plus symbols (#%^) intermixed. Such passwords are virtually invulnerable to cracking, but are difficult to remember.

You can safeguard yourself from the 2nd peril by setting permissions such that no one else can install any programs on the computer.

Exchanging secrets can be fun, but never underestimate the ingenuity of a snoop. The FBI has a classified program (Magic Lantern) that covertly installs keylogger software and retrieves typed passwords.

Theoretically, the FBI must secure a search warrant from a neutral magistrate if the computer is used within a home. The 4th Amendment to the Constitution states:

[i]The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.[/i]

But there's a gotcha - the 4th Amendment protection applies only to one's [b]home[/b]. The instant you step outside the perimeter of your home with your laptop, you can be searched on the basis of [i]reasonable suspicion[/i], which is a lower threshold than the [i]probable cause[/i] threshold for obtaining a search warrant.

Now that you have some facts, it's time for some serious thinking. If you found this information helpful, don't forget to click the appropriate box below...

Rick/Portland, OR

... the 1995 in your screen name must be the year you were born. But, even a 13 year old would know that what you're doing IS illegal.

I don't believe you'll find any more help from this forum.

What [i]technogeek-1995[/i] does with his own computer is his business. However, he exposes himself to civil tort litigation if he does anything that interferes with his sister's use of her own computer, and that includes the unauthorized installation of any software.

There is a difference between nefarious activity that triggers criminal investigation because of its unlawful nature, and obnoxious activity that could result in monetary damages and an injunction against any such shenanigans.

If [i]technogeek-1995[/i] sister catches him messing with her own computer, she can hale him into court on a number of tort claims:

1) Conversion Trespass to chattel
3) Public disclosure of private facts
4) Intrusion of solitude>

There are other claims that [i]technogeek-1995[/i]'s sister could bring against him, and if she prevails, she could recover both compensatory and punitive damages.

Anyone bold enough to consider espionage by tampering with another's property must be prepared to answer in court, and pay the costs.

Rick/Portland, OR

it's unlikely that anyone in the USA would get in trouble for helping a kid in India.

Not like courts in India would have you extradited to Bombay for helping some kid edit Windows policies and rights.

"They're coming take me away! HA HA!! They're coming to take me away!!" ]:) lol ;)

EDIT - INDIANA...geez...my brain has now officially melted. lol :)

Still...it's not teaching the kid what he can learn from MSDN that's illegal...it's his act. Weeeeeeeee...

The truth is a virus! :)

wow, what a selfish prick.

What could she POSSIBLY do with "your stuff" that you are so concerned about?

Hope she knows to pull the shades when you are around.

Are outside of the boundaries of moral sense.
It may be your computer, however you are allowing her to use it. This does not give you the right ot the need to spy on her, nor to invade her privacy.
You could logon and insure updates are done once a week.
Quit being a nosy little turd.

You are showing your true age. Chief Executive, Senior Management, my foot!

If the computer is indeed "yours", why not educate the user and hold them accountable instead of spying on the user. Simply tell her that if she refuses to keep the computer up to date, you will take the "privilege to use it" away from her and remove it from her room. Something that should have been done with you a long time ago.

Geeze, get a life KID!

or taking any other kind of control of the system?

If you buy yourself a clue, you would turn auto updates on. duh.

[i]I also do not condone the use of spyware, keyloggers, webcams or anything else that would invade a persons privacy or quality of use of a PC[/i].

This is True Blue's statement. This is also [b]my[/b] statement. There is not a nanometer of difference in our philosophy on this point.

Rick/Portland, OR

... because you tried to lie to us and got caught. You're not Senior Management. You're a small business owner operating out of your bedroom and trying to spy on your sister. There's a HUGE difference between Senior Management and SBO that you'll probably never ever see, if you keep doing what you're doing. If you want to be one someday, then start acting like one. X-(

... because you fail to see the error in your ways. We've told you that what you have been doing, and continue to want to do (with our help none the less), IS WRONG. But, you continue to argue your point... er... points... which change hourly, in an attempt to justify your immoral (if not illegal) actions. You haven't learned any lessons, YET. ]:)

... because you're a "know-it-all" kid who continues to try and argue with knowledgeable adults who've been at this arguing stuff since before you were born. You won't every win, so GIVE UP! :D

If you want the bashing to stop, the ball is in your court.

---

I wonder why ??

Not as if you might have used the wrong Emoticon, there is no evidence of clever text formatting that may have gone astray, nope - no reason apart from spelling.

You are wasting your time kid, in my eyes you ARE a little boy (man) because I am over three times your age, with a lifetime of experience that you can only make up in order to feel BIG.

Accept what you are ([i]puny, p!ssed-off and perverted[/i]) and move on.

Oh and what did you mean to type (but forgot) as the conclusion to the preposition of your last sentence? As it stands:...

[i]"If you have nothing else to do but bash a 'little' boy (man) because he wants to be sure his 17 year old sister updates HIS [her] computer and doesn't treat it like s**t!!!"[/i]

... it draws no conclusion, the punchline is missing!

Maybe your hot sister can give you a few ideas? :D

[i]Sorry for having to keep quoting you but you'll only go and change it when you get caught out again.[/i]

"Yes I may have seen a few American Pies, but I DON'T BELIEVE IN PORN, VIEWING YOUR SISTER IN 'BAD' WAYS, I THINK PORN IS A CRIME, I DON'T ENDORSE PRON!!! [b]I TOLD YOU IN THE FIRST PLACE, NETWORK MAGIC, IS ONLY FOR MAKING SURE HER FIREWALL IS ON, WINDOWS IS UP-TO-DATE!!![/b] I WASN'T PLANNING ON LOOKING AT HER NUDE!!! PUT YOUR DEGREE TO USE SMART ONE!!! SHE DOESN'T OWN A WEBCAM... [b]THE EMAILS WERE GOING TO BE SENT TO MY PARENTS; MY MOTHER ASK ME ABOUT THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!![/b]"

Interesting and also deeply disturbing. We now have the parents enter the fray. You never know, perhaps your local constabulary will allow you a family room in jail.

As for "VIEWING YOUR SISTER IN 'BAD' WAYS" and "PLANNING ON LOOKING AT HER NUDE!!!" - you are the only one to have mentioned that, we didn't.

I always used to tell my dear old Mum, to never go to the supermarket if she felt remotely hungry due to the inevitable increase in what she might buy.

I would warn you in a similar fashion: never attempt to defend yourself from charges of lasciviousness while you are reeling from the excitement of the moment. You'll only end up giving something away unintentionally. :^0

If you think "I know, I'll do the grovelling bit and it'll be forgotten, then I can get back to the nitty gritty ..." ~ WRONG.

You see, you're too dumb to realise how stupid you are coming across as! "[i]I admit that I never was going to use this service in "WRONG" ways... I admit.. ..I admit..[/i]"

You ADMIT yet you expect an apology ?? There's only one person making an @$$ of themselves around this forum, and the Donkey lives in Indiana.

Dream on. ;)