Re: I need help protecting passwords during repair period

Posted by Ralph on 1/22/08

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This is an interesting problem. My assumption is that you
access your bank through the internet. My experience is with
Microsoft Internet Explorer on Windows XP and cannot comment
on other browsers. Most of my advice is conjecture based on
some knowledge I have on how IE is supposed to work. In
reality I make no guarantees because I may be wrong.

I also assume you do not have your passwords stored in a file
on your computer unless it is strongly encrypted otherwise
all bets are off.

First of all make sure that you don't cache encrypted pages.
This setting can be found by clicking Tools | Internet
Options... and selecting the Advanced tab in the dialog that
is displayed. Scroll down to the last section called Security
and you should check the "Do not save encrypted pages to disk"

Second, go to your banks on-line banking sign-in page. Make
sure it is a secured page. This means you should see a
little lock on you browser's status bar and the address of
the website should start https:// instead of http://. This
indicates the site is using 128 bit encryption to transmit
your user name and password over the internet. If not the
bank is doing something wrong.

Finally it never hurts to clear your cache of both pages and
cookies. This is done by click Tools | Internet Options...
and clicking on the "Delete Cookies" and "Delete Files"
buttons in the middle of the dialog box. This may cause you
some inconvenience in that other sites that automatically log
you in will not know who you are anymore but it will also
make sure the technicians will not be able to see where
you've been nor give them direct access to your cookies.

All this being said, there are still ways for the truly evil
to get your banking information by installing some malware on
your PC while they are servicing it. These programs can send
your banking information to them the next time you go on-
line. Always have an up-to-date antivirus and anti-spyware
program running to help aleviate this type of threat.

Other tips: Make sure you do not give the technicians your
PC password. Create a limited account for them to use just
in case they need to log into your computer. Make sure your
Administrator account password has been set (it doesn't have
one when you get your PC.) Use NTFS to secure your files.
Arrange to be with your PC while it is being repaired. That
way you can see what the tech is doing.

Your best bet is to find a technician you know you can
trust. If not, get references from friends, etc.

Good luck

On 1/21/08, Rose B/2nd/CA wrote:
> I have to send out my laptop to have the DVD drive
> repaired. How do I make sure the technicians who work on
> my computer do not find my passwords to bank accounts,
> etc. I heard that even after you delete stuff, its really
> still there.
> Rose

Posts on this thread, including this one

• I need help protecting passwords during repair period, 1/21/08, by Rose B/2nd/CA.
• Re: I need help protecting passwords during repair period, 1/22/08, by Ralph.
• Re: I need help protecting passwords during repair period, 2/28/08, by Scott.
• Re: I need help protecting passwords during repair period, 4/29/08, by Pogo.