Expert: Leigh Ishikawa - 11/21/2007

Question
if i leave my computer unattended, what would a hacker look for?
is the make and model important?
the service tag and express service code?are theese stoed on or in the computer?
how does one access them?
when a computer is typically left alone , does it go  back to standby option? and/or  does one have to enter a password to get acces to internet and files?
if someone attemps to  use my computer by attempting to enter a password, and fials, will there be any indication of  what he tried to  do?? so  , i could tell if someone tried to get  into my stuff?
is there any way in general to c if an unsuccessful  attempt was made? if a sucessful  attemp was made? and someon ahs gottne access and viewed my history or private date or files etc..
cna a computer be  set to  do this?(warn me if tries  and  breaches are done)

besides  web pages visited, favorites, bookmarks,  documents , picutres,  what else might a  spy or hacker get access to if they ahd the computer in front of them?
what info is prized  since it can be used to gain future and more extensive access?


Answer
Security is all about will.  Given enough resource (time, people, equipment and so forth), all security can be hacked.  The question is not about whether you can, but really about whether it is worth the effort and risk to do it.  There are people who have special skills.  But I'm not going to get into any of that.

Ask yourself the worst case scenario.  Landing in jail and being put into a security restriction where you can not access any computers or networks.  Can you imagine what kind of life that would be in today's society not to have access to something basic like an email?

And if you want to be a hacker, you've already made the worst mistake.  The enjoyment in hacking is not asking someone to do it, but figuring it out yourself.  If you don't have that mentality, you simply won't have the tenacity to stick to it and figure things out.

Keep in mind that in this current climate with Terrorism in U.S.  If they link you in any way to some faction, you could end up in a situation where your constitution can be stripped away.

So my answer is this.  Install one of those firewall software, and don't ask questions.  It's not worth it.  Besides, I don't want to be part of something that could land you in jail.

Good luck!

L