Data self-destruct if PC is stolen?

**DaveBo** · Nov 4th, 2003, 10:18 AM

I'd like to ellicit your suggestions on how to purge sensitive/personal files from a PC/laptop automatically in the event it's stolen or otherwise being accessed by an unauthorized user.

My first thought is to simply put a home-grown app in the Startup folder that checks the login username
and if it's not the expected one just delete selected folders, empty the wastebasket, then start copying a large file or folder as xxx001, xxx002, etc onto the disk until it's totally flooded, i.e. overwritten with junk.

I know there are many holes in this, but for 99% of cases it might be adequate. I don't work for the CIA, Enron or the DNC and the last time someone tried to steal my PC they weren't even bright enough to disconnect all the cables and gave up. So, if anyone has any "absolutely foolproof" ideas, that's wonderful. But, I'm happy with just fool-tolerant.

Thanks, DaveBo

**JPicasso** · Nov 4th, 2003, 01:48 PM

hope you don't forget your password.

LoJack for PC's?

**DaveBo** · Nov 4th, 2003, 03:20 PM

"LoJack"
Actually, I think I heard about something like this recently. It sends out an RF signal so the PC can be located. (Maybe I was dreaming again)

Question: what is the fastest way to obliterate/overwrite free space on a disk to make it "virtually" unrecoverable?

I'm playing with just copying a big folder of MP3 files (Using fso.CopyFolder in VB) to \MP3001, \MP3002, etc
But, it's slow.

I'm not too worried about forgetting a password, since there are loopholes in my scheme above, also, all the original files are backed up and locked up, but, laptops are just too mobile and tempting.

**JPicasso** · Nov 4th, 2003, 03:23 PM

I think the best way is to make sure you keep track of your laptop.

I hear central Mass. is a hotbed of crime.

**DiGiTaIErRoR** · Nov 4th, 2003, 04:06 PM

Well. Instead of corrupting the data, why not encrypt it?

They sell IDE interrupts that offer on-the-fly encryption. You then need a matching digital device to read from it.

**Sgt-Peppa** · Nov 5th, 2003, 07:50 AM

Theres a lot of harddisk encrypting software out there too! Safe Guard Easy for example :

http://www.utimaco.com/indexmain.html

On the other hand you can protect the hardware itselfe for example with a Kensington Lock

http://www.microsaver.com/

Hope that helps

Stephan

**Ideas Man** · Nov 7th, 2003, 04:33 AM

You could always use Windows XP Pro's encryption.

**<ABX** · Nov 8th, 2003, 10:38 PM

how about the whole pc, and the theif?

for a laptop make a device that if its removed or the password is entered wrong 3 times (better make that 10) it emits a charge that sets off a few pounds of C4.

They will never steal from you again and best of all you wont get the laptop back all damaged if he gets caught because it will be in a million peices along with the theif.

Question: what is the fastest way to obliterate/overwrite free space on a disk to make it "virtually" unrecoverable?

test the idea above

**duc** · Nov 9th, 2003, 11:57 PM

Strap a bomb to the bottom of it and if you cant find it just blow it up and your good to go.

**Ideas Man** · Nov 10th, 2003, 12:29 AM

Yes, that would work a charm, but what if you wanted it back in ONE piece?

**duc** · Nov 10th, 2003, 01:28 AM

Just pick up one piece.

or set a little login program of your own that on startup has you enter your username and password and if you get it wrong 3 times....well uh....watever protective thing u wanna happen!

**Ideas Man** · Nov 10th, 2003, 01:34 AM

Why not just set the Windows login dialog to lockout after 3 wrong attempts or set a timeout value to like 1 day or something them?

**shahid** · Nov 11th, 2003, 04:45 AM

write a chit and paste it to ur computer...

please do not see my files exists in the myper folder

thank you

kidding...

the encrypt programme is right...
bcoz.. if user did not open the pc in normal mode and open in anoher mode.. then the data ......moved or changed...

**DaveBo** · Nov 11th, 2003, 09:19 AM

C4? is that the latest incarnation of C++, e.g. C++++?
That would certainly strike fear into this heart.

I think the ultimate, most foolproof (actually fool-exploiting) method is a big button on the desktop that says
"Do not, under any circumstances, press this button!"

The "Dr. Strangelove" button

**<ABX** · Nov 16th, 2003, 12:18 AM

Originally posted by DaveBo

I think the ultimate, most foolproof (actually fool-exploiting) method is a big button on the desktop that says
"Do not, under any circumstances, press this button!"

The "Dr. Strangelove" button

lol, did some thing similar to a guy at work

, a file with the title "Personal! DO NOT OPEN, I'M WARNING YOU"

the program(with a word document icon) deletes all the users personal files, emails me with the username/time/date/computer name that the program was run on, the displays "Well, I warned you, I just removed all your files

"

The funny thing is that he never wondered why there was only that one file shared

**IntelSucks** · Nov 21st, 2003, 12:39 AM

I think that you have seen to many movies..

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