PC Security.

Rickster

Rickster

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Hi all, I have a few questions regarding locking down a PC should it get stolen (basically making it unusable without buying new parts,like a big FU to the thieves) , here are some questions.

-Are BIOS passwords easy to crack on modern motherboards? Or are they even crackable? PS we are dealing with low educated thieves not super hackers.

-Is it possible to "Marry" hard drives or other hardware to a Motherboards MAC address?


My vision: Due to the BIOS password they have to buy another motherboard for them to get the PC functioning but the Hard Drives are linked to that mobo so they can only sell the CPU etc.

Is any of this possible?
 
As Absynth said.

Best you can do is encrypt drive/home folder.
 
I use full disk encryption but at best all you need to do is a format and reload everything. So essentially its just my data that is protected or rather kept private.

Would love to disable my laptop completely i.e. make it useless. I guess manufacturers can easily do this but why screw-up their own market. Every stolen phone/laptop means a new sale....
 
MKFrost said:
Just a format and its gone
Click to expand...

OP said:

Hi all, I have a few questions regarding locking down a PC should it get stolen (basically making it unusable without buying new parts,like a big FU to the thieves) , here are some questions.
Click to expand...

And Truecrypt is the answer. Even if they steal his PC, they won't be able to view his data... Unless of course he means the PC will not physically be able to boot up etc. My suggestion just ensures that the data on the hard drives will not be readable.
 
Rickster said:
Seriously? I mean come on, what's the point of that function if it can easily be defeated?

/facepalm
Click to expand...

Well, technically you get cases which you can lock with a padlock and similar and that could prevent the motherboard (and thus battery) from being easily accessed but still that would just stop a casual attemp to getting i, anyone with a hacksaw and time can bypass that.

Best you can do is encrypt your system with Truecrypt and then at least your data is protected (from identity theft for example). Nothing else you can reasonably do to make the system unusable.
 
OP Said:

Hi all, I have a few questions regarding locking down a PC should it get stolen (basically making it unusable without buying new parts, like a big FU to the thieves) , here.....
Click to expand...


mercurial said:
OP said:

And Truecrypt is the answer. Even if they steal his PC, they won't be able to view his data... Unless of course he means the PC will not physically be able to boot up etc. My suggestion just ensures that the data on the hard drives will not be readable.
Click to expand...

It will only protect the data and will not render the computer useless. A quick format and reload of an OS and the computer is back to 'normal'.

OP essentially want the PC to be f@rked i.e. useless i.e. throw away useless....
 
Rickster said:
Hi all, I have a few questions regarding locking down a PC should it get stolen (basically making it unusable without buying new parts,like a big FU to the thieves) , here are some questions.

-Are BIOS passwords easy to crack on modern motherboards? Or are they even crackable? PS we are dealing with low educated thieves not super hackers.

-Is it possible to "Marry" hard drives or other hardware to a Motherboards MAC address?


My vision: Due to the BIOS password they have to buy another motherboard for them to get the PC functioning but the Hard Drives are linked to that mobo so they can only sell the CPU etc.

Is any of this possible?
Click to expand...

Short answer = no Bios password can be removed, hardrives can be formatted.
Long answer = Only thing you can protect is access to your data, and even then there are ways around most of it.
 
What about Windows 7's BitLocker?

after which the required disk encryption key protection mechanisms such as TPM, PIN, or USB key are configured
Click to expand...

Sound good? Any one with experience with bitlocker?
 
Rickster said:
What about Windows 7's BitLocker?



Sound good? Any one with experience with bitlocker?
Click to expand...

Its similar to truecrypt, will just encrypt your harddrive so noone can access it if they don't type in your password. Hardware still perfectly usable and disk can be formatted.
 
I'm speaking under correction, thin I read this late one evening in bed so could have been half asleep already....

Was there not a news article a week or so back about a company in the US developing a device (phone) that can be completely disabled if stolen?

Will see if I can find anything about it...

Edit: Must be this about a global kill switch that I read. Only applicable to phones.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...disable-stolen-mobiles-phone-crime-soars.html
 
Last edited:
Full disk encryption is your only real hope from a consumer PoV.

I know its possible to flash mobos with custom security firmware though because my employer does so, meaning you can essentially trash the mobo if you steal it. I doubt this is feasible though if you don't have megacorp resources available though.

supersunbird said:
Its similar to truecrypt, will just encrypt your harddrive so noone can access it if they don't type in your password. Hardware still perfectly usable and disk can be formatted.
Click to expand...
Only 99% true. There are ways of getting around the full format, but thats well into black magic territory.
 
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