Halo 1 & 2 for PC
This topic has moved here: Subject: I need to outsmart someone...URGENTLY!
  • Subject: I need to outsmart someone...URGENTLY!
Subject: I need to outsmart someone...URGENTLY!
  • gamertag:
  • user homepage:
  • last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT

Hi there. Right now, I have a roomate who has tried to break into my computer. So I need help. Computer whizzes, this is your chance to shine.

Heres the layout: I have a HP pavilion ze4400, with Windows XP SP2 installed and Zone Alarm Firewall. My roomate has an apple ibook. Year, model number, all that, I dont know.

Recently, he has been trying to log into my computer, just entering in random passwords.

Im not sure how familiar he is with Windows (hes a mac user) so I need suggestions:

1. Can he hook up his ibook to my laptop? (I dont want him to)

2. Is there a way he can hack through into my computer using his mac?

3. If so, is there a way I can stop him?

4. Can I fool him into thinking that Windows keeps a log of every password access attempt? Id like to use that to deter him.

Note: I cant just buy something. That includes physical locks, JumpDrive Keys, etc.

Thanks for any advice. I really need it.


[Edited on 6/17/2005]

  • 06.17.2005 12:52 PM PDT

Join the MAW Clan
X-fire username:Iggwilv
My Real Avatar

Easiest way is to set a BIOS password. Look in your manual it will tell you how to set it. Basically when the power is turned on the BIOS asks for a password. If you don't have the password it doesn't boot. Can't run a floppy or nuthin'. The only way around the password is to open the case and switch a jumper. If he's that bold then you need to get a new roommate.

  • 06.17.2005 1:18 PM PDT
  • gamertag:
  • user homepage:
  • last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT

With the compatability issues between mac and pc, i doubt that a pc could be hacked by a mac directly. Through the internet could be possible, but it's useless if your computer blocks all attempts of internet connection with a firewall. Norton internet security has an option to block all internet traffic.

As for guessing passwords, here are my suggestions. if you think he's getting close to guessing your password, make a new password that would be super hard to guess. use both numbers and letters for the password, make it longer than 10 characters. Don't use the password hint feature in windows xp if you think you can remember your password easily.

  • 06.17.2005 3:10 PM PDT
  • gamertag:
  • user homepage:
  • last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT

Posted by: Iggwilv
Easiest way is to set a BIOS password.


How??? Lost the manual. Im looking it up online as we speak...

  • 06.17.2005 3:55 PM PDT
  • gamertag:
  • user homepage:
  • last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT

The easyest way is to put a floppy in the drive and shut your comp down when it tries to boot it wont because it will try to boot from the floppy. So its basically a cheap key and he most likley wont figure this out. =)

  • 06.17.2005 4:39 PM PDT
  • gamertag:
  • user homepage:
  • last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT

HINT:

keyboard not detected. press any key to continue
if he's a true blue macboy, he won't be able to plug the keyboard back in....
i knew this guy once....couldn't even figure out how to turn on a PC...
but why not just let him on, under a guest account? he really couldn't do anything without admin privileges....

[Edited on 6/17/2005]

  • 06.17.2005 6:43 PM PDT
  • gamertag:
  • user homepage:
  • last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT

I've got your back bro -

#1) Of course he can - as long as it's not locked in a box or something. Sure there will be compatibility issues, but if he's threateningly l337, he'll be able to get around it.

#2) Of course he can - again, it won't be easy, but it is possible.

#3) Sure- the Bios password is an excellent idea. To set this you should hold the delete key as your computer boots to access the bios. You'll have to navigate around, since every bios is different, but you should be able to find an option that will let you set a password.

I would change my windows logon password as well. I would make sure that it is more than 10 characters and uses alt-codes - yes, alt codes will work as passwords in Windows XP - my little brother's pw is a 16 character string that's half alt-codes. A brute force hack attempt on a PC using a 10 character pw with alt-codes will take approxamately 1162523670191533212890625 iterations - give the programmer godlike capabilities and say each iteration takes only 2 clock cycles and takking into account taht the fastest macs run 6 instructions per second at 2.4 GHz and it'll still take him roughly 5119914 years to run through all the possibilities.

#4) That depends - how good are you at lying? Tell him that in order to reduce the amount of spyware that gets installed on your system without you detecting it, that you've installed a program that tracks down all incoming and outgoing protocals - including any information typed in text boxes, such as usernames or passwords. Mac people don't have to deal with a whole lot of spyware or viruses, so he won't know any different.

#5) Was that note a statement or a question?

Hope this helps

  • 06.17.2005 6:47 PM PDT
  • gamertag:
  • user homepage:
  • last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT

Hey, all!

Yknow, this truly brings out the best in The Maw. People helping others. Seriously. Thanks for all the help.

What I did was create a folder on my HD labled "Log Files" then created a bunch of folders all of consecutive dates. In one folder, labeled "6-10-05" I created multiple files using Quattro Pro 10. This makes each file have a .qpw extension. Each Quattro file had the title "login attempt-DENIED" or "login attempt-CLEARED". Finally, I opened the Command Prompt, located the folder on the C drive, and showed it to him! He took the bait!

Now, he thinks Im some kind of 1337 hacker who can use Windows to access a running log of each computer access attempt. Hes also going back to China in about a week. (exchange student)

As a side note, I created a BIOS password...with a little help from The Maw, of course. Igg, Iamwh, aM, MA5B, Time, thanks.

Again, thanks for ALL the help. The Maw will live if this attitude keeps up...

=====>Me15ter signing off, possibly for a while...<=====

[Edited on 6/17/2005]

  • 06.17.2005 8:44 PM PDT
  • gamertag:
  • user homepage:
  • last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT

Just take the fuse out of his wall plug... That should stump him for a while... lol.

  • 06.18.2005 1:13 AM PDT
  • gamertag:
  • user homepage:
  • last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT

Well, what I would do is make the password very hard to guess-include numbers, letters, symbols, anything. Also, whatever you do, DON"T WRITE YOUR PASSWORD DOWN. If you have to, hid It in your pillow or something bogus like that. As far as him taking his mac and trying to hack into your computer, I don't think it'll happen. Think, if your pasword is 10 spaces long, thier are 1,000,000,000,000 different combanations. More leters in your password, more combanations! Also include spaces, he will never expect that!

  • 06.18.2005 2:14 AM PDT
  • gamertag:
  • user homepage:
  • last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT

just pass protect the whole comp with an encrypted pass.use a program like usa shield etc to encrypt a pass.also i made a program that does log every single thing done on a comp.if you would like it email me at nikkiismad321@yahoo.com

  • 06.18.2005 8:10 AM PDT
  • gamertag:
  • user homepage:
  • last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT

Posted by: SPARTAN 00119
10 spaces long, thier are 1,000,000,000,000 different combanations.


Erm..no, I think you have to take into consideration a little mathematical friend named '!'

And anyway - sorry for being gone, would've helped you. Still, your friend...is really weird. I wouldn't venture to call him your friend if he likes to try and hack into your oc ;)

  • 06.19.2005 6:37 PM PDT
  • gamertag:
  • user homepage:
  • last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT

Posted by: sexy legs davis
Posted by: SPARTAN 00119
10 spaces long, thier are 1,000,000,000,000 different combanations.


Erm..no, I think you have to take into consideration a little mathematical friend named '!'

And anyway - sorry for being gone, would've helped you. Still, your friend...is really weird. I wouldn't venture to call him your friend if he likes to try and hack into your oc ;)


You saved me from reverting with that one SLD - this forum owes you a big thank-you for saving it a week of headaches from the Mathematician Inspire going ape-blam!-. I already did the math guys - don't effing come behind me and then insult me by doing it wrong. And did you all forget about alt-codes?

Its a Mathematical Lyricist, gentlemen - hold your pistols - While I from like Voltron and blast you with my shoulder missiles....

  • 06.20.2005 10:43 AM PDT
  • gamertag:
  • user homepage:
  • last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT

Posted by: sexy legs davis
Posted by: SPARTAN 00119
10 spaces long, thier are 1,000,000,000,000 different combanations.


Erm..no, I think you have to take into consideration a little mathematical friend named '!'.....


You would have to figure out the number of different characters that could be possibly used for that password, then multiply by 10. if there was 1,000,000,000,000 different combinations for a 10 character password, there would have to be 100,000,000,000 different characters that could be used for one character of the password.

  • 06.20.2005 10:50 AM PDT
  • gamertag:
  • user homepage:
  • last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT

Easy dude,u press the "Turn on" button on your PC and u`ll see a few options in the lower part of the screen before the PC boots up. u`l be asked to press somthing like the "del" or "F2" button to enter BIOS. Within BIOS you`ll see some options...go for somthing that says password and u`ll figure out the rest. easy...

  • 06.20.2005 12:01 PM PDT
  • gamertag:
  • user homepage:
  • last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT

Posted by: Mr MA5B
Posted by: sexy legs davis
Posted by: SPARTAN 00119
10 spaces long, thier are 1,000,000,000,000 different combanations.


Erm..no, I think you have to take into consideration a little mathematical friend named '!'.....


You would have to figure out the number of different characters that could be possibly used for that password, then multiply by 10. if there was 1,000,000,000,000 different combinations for a 10 character password, there would have to be 100,000,000,000 different characters that could be used for one character of the password.


No.

To my knowledge, there are 255 different ASCII chracters that can possibly be entered in for a password. That means 255^10 possibilities. So allow me to break it down:

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Those are the characters. These are the possibilities:

255 255 255 255 255 255 255 255 255 255
----- ------ ------ ----- ----- ------ ----- ----- ----- ------
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

We multiply the possibilities for each event - here, an event is what character is chosen for one slot. Thus, upon multiplying we get 255^10 = 1162523670191533212890625

Which is exactly the number I used earlier.

The word 'combinations' isn't exactly correct either because when we calculate combinations, we do so assume we cannot use the same value twice (without replacement) and we do so without regards to order. Permutations would be closer to what we're doing since we are considering passwords with the same characters, but simply juxtaposed, unique - however, Permutations, like Combinations, are calculated without replacement.

Without Replacement is why the ! (factorial operator) is needed when calculating Permutations and Calculations, however since that is not what we're doing here, the factorial operator is neither needed nor correct.


vectorracer - this one is for you. I really tried.

  • 06.20.2005 2:43 PM PDT

Don't drink to excess– You might shoot at tax-collectors... and miss

Computer: Power Mac G5 CPU Type: PowerPC G5 (2.2) Number Of CPUs: 2 CPU Speed: 1.8 GHz L2 Cache (per CPU): 512 KB Memory: 1.25 GB Bus Speed: 900 MHz

ATi Radeon X800 XT Mac Edition
Display Type: LCD Resolution: 1680 x 1050 Depth: 32-bit Color

FYI: Macs and PCs network easily, especially wirelessly, (there is no Mac specific wireless, it's all the same).

Text files interchange as do most common database and spreadsheet files. The code for the programs may be different, but the files that they create are identical. Mac compression software, (Stuffit) can even read .zip files. And there are translator programs for most anything that can't be read directly.

Macs don't suffer from the viruses your PCs do, but we can pass them on via infected files and e-mail.

I've heard this is good and it's available as Freeware: Pretty Good Privacy

I don't know how easy it would be for you to come up with a trashed keyboard and mouse that don't work, but looks like yours. Swap them for your good ones when you leave.

Oh, if you want to get your room mate's attention:
1) Get your hands on his original system install disc, (or borrow one that will work).
2) Start his Mac with the disc in the drive while holding the "c" key down.
3) You'll start up on the install disc.
4) Check the menus, (not sure without taking a look myself), there's an option to set the Administrator password. Change it to something you like and he will not guess. There are also password options for each user, (even a sole owner has at least one user ID and password), change that one, too. Lock him out of his own machine! Hide the System disc. Keep track of the passwords you changed. You may find better instructions on Apple's site.

You could get nasty and erase his drive, but save that for a last resort. He'll probably be so in awe that a PC user could pwn his Mac that he'll leave you alone if you restore his machine. Just like Halo: establish your dominance.

P.S.
Any idea what he was after?

[Edited on 6/20/2005]

  • 06.20.2005 4:06 PM PDT
  • gamertag:
  • user homepage:
  • last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT

How do you know he's trying to break into it?
Does he know you know?
If not, slap his face and tell him to back off.
These guys sound like they got you covered. Hope you beat him in the end.

  • 06.20.2005 4:25 PM PDT
  • gamertag:
  • user homepage:
  • last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT

Im back from a 2-day vacation...and is it just me, or has The Maw suddenly become a nonsense forum?

=====><=====

The roomate is still here, but I locked the computer down with the BIOS password.

God knows what he wanted to do on the computer. I suspect its something with the internet, but hes been tight-lipped about it, so that means no computer for him.

See, all dorms have internet access, its just that he has an asian version of Mac. That means theres some kind of incompat problem with his computer and the U.S. internet. Did I mention hes an exchange student?

Anyways, school lets out in a few days so it hardly matters.

Nice mathematical discussion, btw...and thanks again to everybody for the help

[Edited on 6/21/2005]

  • 06.21.2005 7:16 AM PDT
  • gamertag:
  • user homepage:
  • last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT

...!

Disturbing.

Im stopping that line of thought right there.

  • 06.21.2005 7:26 AM PDT
  • gamertag:
  • user homepage:
  • last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT

Sorry I was so late responding to this, and I know it's already been answered, but...

1. Can he hook up his ibook to my laptop? (I dont want him to)
Yes. If you're using wireless, and he has a card, he definitely can. Ethernet, he just has to hook a cable in.

2. Is there a way he can hack through into my computer using his mac?
Yes. If your computer requires an access password, he can hack through that easily (a modified version of John the Ripper). If he is proficent at programming/console, he can get around the firewalls relatively quickly.

3. If so, is there a way I can stop him?
If you're using wireless, keep your computer on an encryption that is not 64-bit or 128-bit WEP. If you're using ethernet and he has a cable, well, you're screwed.

4. Can I fool him into thinking that Windows keeps a log of every password access attempt? Id like to use that to deter him.
You can probably dl a program that keeps track of all passwords entered on your computer. the downside to this is that it will keep a record of when you log in too. Either that or you can use your verbal skills to fool him that it does.

[Edited on 6/25/2005]

  • 06.25.2005 1:14 PM PDT