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locking XP from the little brats


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Posted

I help an elemantry school K-5 with the computer lab they have which has 32

XP Home computers that are part of workgroup.

 

They do not have enough money for full time administrator or administrative

software or even central domain administration. so I have to work with

whatever free time I have to help.

 

some kid(s) keep rotating the screen, change the wallpaper, install

programs, and change settings.

 

I added a guest account, the onlyway they can login is thrue the guest

account, administrator accounts are locked with password changed frequently.

 

I disabled right click. locked the control panel, and no display settings.

the little creeps still managed to get around it.

 

my question is does anyone know how could they do that.

 

second question is there anyway I can prevent them from changing anything on

the computer or reset any changes after logging off.

 

Thanks

Ike

  • Replies 13
  • Created
  • Last Reply
Guest Kelly
Posted

Re: locking XP from the little brats

 

Hi Ike,

 

See Doug's Security Console:

http://www.dougknox.com/xp/utils/xp_securityconsole.htm

--

 

All the Best,

Kelly (MS-MVP/DTS&XP)

 

Taskbar Repair Tool Plus!

http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/taskbarplus!.htm

 

Is it October already? Either way, Happy Birthday if today is your

birthday!

 

 

"Ike" <lkjl@gigi.com> wrote in message

news:e1Antid2HHA.3760@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...

>I help an elemantry school K-5 with the computer lab they have which has 32

>XP Home computers that are part of workgroup.

>

> They do not have enough money for full time administrator or

> administrative software or even central domain administration. so I have

> to work with whatever free time I have to help.

>

> some kid(s) keep rotating the screen, change the wallpaper, install

> programs, and change settings.

>

> I added a guest account, the onlyway they can login is thrue the guest

> account, administrator accounts are locked with password changed

> frequently.

>

> I disabled right click. locked the control panel, and no display settings.

> the little creeps still managed to get around it.

>

> my question is does anyone know how could they do that.

>

> second question is there anyway I can prevent them from changing anything

> on the computer or reset any changes after logging off.

>

> Thanks

> Ike

>

>

Posted

Re: locking XP from the little brats

 

It would seem that this tool should be a good test for the K-5 group, if

they should break through Doug's tool and munge the system again Doug needs

to do some updating.

 

JS :-)

 

"Kelly" <kelly@mvps.org> wrote in message

news:ukjmQnd2HHA.3640@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...

> Hi Ike,

>

> See Doug's Security Console:

> http://www.dougknox.com/xp/utils/xp_securityconsole.htm

> --

>

> All the Best,

> Kelly (MS-MVP/DTS&XP)

>

> Taskbar Repair Tool Plus!

> http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/taskbarplus!.htm

>

> Is it October already? Either way, Happy Birthday if today is your

> birthday!

>

>

> "Ike" <lkjl@gigi.com> wrote in message

> news:e1Antid2HHA.3760@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...

>>I help an elemantry school K-5 with the computer lab they have which has

>>32 XP Home computers that are part of workgroup.

>>

>> They do not have enough money for full time administrator or

>> administrative software or even central domain administration. so I have

>> to work with whatever free time I have to help.

>>

>> some kid(s) keep rotating the screen, change the wallpaper, install

>> programs, and change settings.

>>

>> I added a guest account, the onlyway they can login is thrue the guest

>> account, administrator accounts are locked with password changed

>> frequently.

>>

>> I disabled right click. locked the control panel, and no display

>> settings. the little creeps still managed to get around it.

>>

>> my question is does anyone know how could they do that.

>>

>> second question is there anyway I can prevent them from changing anything

>> on the computer or reset any changes after logging off.

>>

>> Thanks

>> Ike

>>

>>

>

>

Guest Nepatsfan
Posted

Re: locking XP from the little brats

 

In news:e1Antid2HHA.3760@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl,

Ike <lkjl@gigi.com> wrote:

> I help an elemantry school K-5 with the computer lab they

> have which has 32

> XP Home computers that are part of workgroup.

>

> They do not have enough money for full time administrator or

> administrative

> software or even central domain administration. so I have to

> work with

> whatever free time I have to help.

>

> some kid(s) keep rotating the screen, change the wallpaper,

> install

> programs, and change settings.

>

> I added a guest account, the onlyway they can login is thrue

> the guest

> account, administrator accounts are locked with password

> changed frequently.

>

> I disabled right click. locked the control panel, and no

> display settings.

> the little creeps still managed to get around it.

>

> my question is does anyone know how could they do that.

>

> second question is there anyway I can prevent them from

> changing anything on

> the computer or reset any changes after logging off.

>

> Thanks

> Ike

 

First off, whoever made the decision to order computers with XP

Home Edition didn't do you any favors. They may have saved the

school some money but in the end they've severely limited what

can be done in terms of security.

 

As for how the "little creeps" are making changes, two things

come to mind. First, have you password protected the built-in

Administrator account? In XP Home Edition, that account is only

available if you boot into Safe Mode. Second, is the BIOS

password protected? If they can enter the BIOS setup program

it's possible they've configured the computers to boot from a

CD and using any one of a number of programs are changing

administrative passwords.

 

You might want to consider using this program available from

Microsoft.

 

Windows SteadyState

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/winfamily/sharedaccess/default.mspx

 

Good luck

 

Nepatsfan

Guest The Poster Formerly Known as Nina DiBoy
Posted

Re: locking XP from the little brats

 

Ike wrote:

> I help an elemantry school K-5 with the computer lab they have which has 32

> XP Home computers that are part of workgroup.

>

> They do not have enough money for full time administrator or administrative

> software or even central domain administration. so I have to work with

> whatever free time I have to help.

>

> some kid(s) keep rotating the screen, change the wallpaper, install

> programs, and change settings.

>

> I added a guest account, the onlyway they can login is thrue the guest

> account, administrator accounts are locked with password changed frequently.

>

> I disabled right click. locked the control panel, and no display settings.

> the little creeps still managed to get around it.

>

> my question is does anyone know how could they do that.

>

> second question is there anyway I can prevent them from changing anything on

> the computer or reset any changes after logging off.

>

> Thanks

> Ike

>

>

 

Look at the shared computer toolkit from MS:

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/winfamily/sharedaccess/default.mspx

 

--

Priceless quotes in m.p.w.vista.general group:

http://protectfreedom.tripod.com/kick.html

 

"Only religious fanatics and totalitarian states equate morality with

legality."

- Linus Torvalds

Posted

Re: locking XP from the little brats

 

Thanks, that is a great solution.

 

Ike

 

 

"JS" <@> wrote in message news:u4Wf2ud2HHA.4584@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...

> It would seem that this tool should be a good test for the K-5 group, if

> they should break through Doug's tool and munge the system again Doug

> needs to do some updating.

>

> JS :-)

>

> "Kelly" <kelly@mvps.org> wrote in message

> news:ukjmQnd2HHA.3640@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...

>> Hi Ike,

>>

>> See Doug's Security Console:

>> http://www.dougknox.com/xp/utils/xp_securityconsole.htm

>> --

>>

>> All the Best,

>> Kelly (MS-MVP/DTS&XP)

>>

>> Taskbar Repair Tool Plus!

>> http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/taskbarplus!.htm

>>

>> Is it October already? Either way, Happy Birthday if today is your

>> birthday!

>>

>>

>> "Ike" <lkjl@gigi.com> wrote in message

>> news:e1Antid2HHA.3760@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...

>>>I help an elemantry school K-5 with the computer lab they have which has

>>>32 XP Home computers that are part of workgroup.

>>>

>>> They do not have enough money for full time administrator or

>>> administrative software or even central domain administration. so I have

>>> to work with whatever free time I have to help.

>>>

>>> some kid(s) keep rotating the screen, change the wallpaper, install

>>> programs, and change settings.

>>>

>>> I added a guest account, the onlyway they can login is thrue the guest

>>> account, administrator accounts are locked with password changed

>>> frequently.

>>>

>>> I disabled right click. locked the control panel, and no display

>>> settings. the little creeps still managed to get around it.

>>>

>>> my question is does anyone know how could they do that.

>>>

>>> second question is there anyway I can prevent them from changing

>>> anything on the computer or reset any changes after logging off.

>>>

>>> Thanks

>>> Ike

>>>

>>>

>>

>>

>

>

Posted

Re: locking XP from the little brats

 

Thanks Nepatsfan.

the built-in admin is password protected and BIOS has a password.

Thank you for telling me about the steady state. looking at the features

makes it sound like a useful program.

 

Ike

 

 

"Nepatsfan" <nepatsfan@SBXXXIX.com> wrote in message

news:OjjQS5d2HHA.5360@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...

> In news:e1Antid2HHA.3760@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl,

> Ike <lkjl@gigi.com> wrote:

>> I help an elemantry school K-5 with the computer lab they have which has

>> 32

>> XP Home computers that are part of workgroup.

>>

>> They do not have enough money for full time administrator or

>> administrative

>> software or even central domain administration. so I have to work with

>> whatever free time I have to help.

>>

>> some kid(s) keep rotating the screen, change the wallpaper, install

>> programs, and change settings.

>>

>> I added a guest account, the onlyway they can login is thrue the guest

>> account, administrator accounts are locked with password changed

>> frequently.

>>

>> I disabled right click. locked the control panel, and no display

>> settings.

>> the little creeps still managed to get around it.

>>

>> my question is does anyone know how could they do that.

>>

>> second question is there anyway I can prevent them from changing anything

>> on

>> the computer or reset any changes after logging off.

>>

>> Thanks

>> Ike

>

> First off, whoever made the decision to order computers with XP Home

> Edition didn't do you any favors. They may have saved the school some

> money but in the end they've severely limited what can be done in terms of

> security.

>

> As for how the "little creeps" are making changes, two things come to

> mind. First, have you password protected the built-in Administrator

> account? In XP Home Edition, that account is only available if you boot

> into Safe Mode. Second, is the BIOS password protected? If they can enter

> the BIOS setup program it's possible they've configured the computers to

> boot from a CD and using any one of a number of programs are changing

> administrative passwords.

>

> You might want to consider using this program available from Microsoft.

>

> Windows SteadyState

> http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/winfamily/sharedaccess/default.mspx

>

> Good luck

>

> Nepatsfan

>

Posted

Re: locking XP from the little brats

 

Thank you linus for the useful information.

 

Ike

 

 

"The Poster Formerly Known as Nina DiBoy" <none@none.not> wrote in message

news:f9cv6d$qe$1@aioe.org...

> Ike wrote:

>> I help an elemantry school K-5 with the computer lab they have which has

>> 32 XP Home computers that are part of workgroup.

>>

>> They do not have enough money for full time administrator or

>> administrative software or even central domain administration. so I have

>> to work with whatever free time I have to help.

>>

>> some kid(s) keep rotating the screen, change the wallpaper, install

>> programs, and change settings.

>>

>> I added a guest account, the onlyway they can login is thrue the guest

>> account, administrator accounts are locked with password changed

>> frequently.

>>

>> I disabled right click. locked the control panel, and no display

>> settings. the little creeps still managed to get around it.

>>

>> my question is does anyone know how could they do that.

>>

>> second question is there anyway I can prevent them from changing anything

>> on the computer or reset any changes after logging off.

>>

>> Thanks

>> Ike

>>

>>

>

> Look at the shared computer toolkit from MS:

> http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/winfamily/sharedaccess/default.mspx

>

> --

> Priceless quotes in m.p.w.vista.general group:

> http://protectfreedom.tripod.com/kick.html

>

> "Only religious fanatics and totalitarian states equate morality with

> legality."

> - Linus Torvalds

Guest The poster formerly known as Nina DiBoy
Posted

Re: locking XP from the little brats

 

Ike wrote:

> Thank you linus for the useful information.

>

> Ike

>

>

> "The Poster Formerly Known as Nina DiBoy" <none@none.not> wrote in message

> news:f9cv6d$qe$1@aioe.org...

<snippage>

 

Thanks for calling me linus, I take that as a huge compliment! :)

 

--

Priceless quotes in m.p.w.vista.general group:

http://protectfreedom.tripod.com/kick.html

 

"Only religious fanatics and totalitarian states equate morality with

legality."

- Linus Torvalds

Posted

Re: locking XP from the little brats

 

I am sorry. I thought you signed your nameon the bottom after the quote.

 

 

"The poster formerly known as Nina DiBoy" <none@none.not> wrote in message

news:f9d3im$fh7$1@aioe.org...

> Ike wrote:

>> Thank you linus for the useful information.

>>

>> Ike

>>

>>

>> "The Poster Formerly Known as Nina DiBoy" <none@none.not> wrote in

>> message news:f9cv6d$qe$1@aioe.org...

> <snippage>

>

> Thanks for calling me linus, I take that as a huge compliment! :)

>

> --

> Priceless quotes in m.p.w.vista.general group:

> http://protectfreedom.tripod.com/kick.html

>

> "Only religious fanatics and totalitarian states equate morality with

> legality."

> - Linus Torvalds

Guest Nepatsfan
Posted

Re: locking XP from the little brats

 

You're welcome.

 

Nepatsfan

 

In news:upk93be2HHA.1212@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl,

Ike <lkjl@gigi.com> wrote:

> Thanks Nepatsfan.

> the built-in admin is password protected and BIOS has a

> password.

> Thank you for telling me about the steady state. looking at

> the features

> makes it sound like a useful program.

>

> Ike

>

>

> "Nepatsfan" <nepatsfan@SBXXXIX.com> wrote in message

> news:OjjQS5d2HHA.5360@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...

>> In news:e1Antid2HHA.3760@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl,

>> Ike <lkjl@gigi.com> wrote:

>>> I help an elemantry school K-5 with the computer lab they

>>> have which has

>>> 32

>>> XP Home computers that are part of workgroup.

>>>

>>> They do not have enough money for full time administrator

>>> or

>>> administrative

>>> software or even central domain administration. so I have

>>> to work with

>>> whatever free time I have to help.

>>>

>>> some kid(s) keep rotating the screen, change the wallpaper,

>>> install

>>> programs, and change settings.

>>>

>>> I added a guest account, the onlyway they can login is

>>> thrue the guest

>>> account, administrator accounts are locked with password

>>> changed

>>> frequently.

>>>

>>> I disabled right click. locked the control panel, and no

>>> display

>>> settings.

>>> the little creeps still managed to get around it.

>>>

>>> my question is does anyone know how could they do that.

>>>

>>> second question is there anyway I can prevent them from

>>> changing anything

>>> on

>>> the computer or reset any changes after logging off.

>>>

>>> Thanks

>>> Ike

>>

>> First off, whoever made the decision to order computers with

>> XP Home

>> Edition didn't do you any favors. They may have saved the

>> school some

>> money but in the end they've severely limited what can be

>> done in terms of

>> security.

>>

>> As for how the "little creeps" are making changes, two

>> things come to

>> mind. First, have you password protected the built-in

>> Administrator

>> account? In XP Home Edition, that account is only available

>> if you boot

>> into Safe Mode. Second, is the BIOS password protected? If

>> they can enter

>> the BIOS setup program it's possible they've configured the

>> computers to

>> boot from a CD and using any one of a number of programs are

>> changing

>> administrative passwords.

>>

>> You might want to consider using this program available from

>> Microsoft.

>>

>> Windows SteadyState

>> http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/winfamily/sharedaccess/default.mspx

>>

>> Good luck

>>

>> Nepatsfan

Guest The poster formerly known as Nina DiBoy
Posted

Re: locking XP from the little brats

 

Ike wrote:

> I am sorry. I thought you signed your nameon the bottom after the quote.

 

Like I said, calling me linus is a big compliment, please don't

apologize. :)

 

That's who's quote is in my sig line, the father of linux.

>

>

> "The poster formerly known as Nina DiBoy" <none@none.not> wrote in message

> news:f9d3im$fh7$1@aioe.org...

>> Ike wrote:

>>> Thank you linus for the useful information.

>>>

>>> Ike

>>>

>>>

>>> "The Poster Formerly Known as Nina DiBoy" <none@none.not> wrote in

>>> message news:f9cv6d$qe$1@aioe.org...

>> <snippage>

>>

>> Thanks for calling me linus, I take that as a huge compliment! :)

 

--

Priceless quotes in m.p.w.vista.general group:

http://protectfreedom.tripod.com/kick.html

 

"Only religious fanatics and totalitarian states equate morality with

legality."

- Linus Torvalds

Guest Doug Knox - [MS-MVP]
Posted

Re: locking XP from the little brats

 

Sadly there are any number of ways around some of the restrictions.

 

1) Rotate the display. Keyboart hot-key shortcut that is actually tied to

the driver/systray applet for the video adapter.

2) Change wallpaper. Even if Display Properties are disabled, and they

can't edit the Registry, here comes Internet Explorer to the rescue with its

"set as background" option when right clicking on a graphic. This one in

particular completely ignores any group policy restrictions.

 

--

Doug Knox, MS-MVP Windows Media Center\Windows Powered Smart

Display\Security

Win 95/98/Me/XP Tweaks and Fixes

http://www.dougknox.com

--------------------------------

Per user Group Policy Restrictions for XP Home and XP Pro

http://www.dougknox.com/xp/utils/xp_securityconsole.htm

--------------------------------

Please reply only to the newsgroup so all may benefit.

Unsolicited e-mail is not answered.

 

"JS" <@> wrote in message news:u4Wf2ud2HHA.4584@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...

> It would seem that this tool should be a good test for the K-5 group, if

> they should break through Doug's tool and munge the system again Doug

> needs to do some updating.

>

> JS :-)

>

> "Kelly" <kelly@mvps.org> wrote in message

> news:ukjmQnd2HHA.3640@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...

>> Hi Ike,

>>

>> See Doug's Security Console:

>> http://www.dougknox.com/xp/utils/xp_securityconsole.htm

>> --

>>

>> All the Best,

>> Kelly (MS-MVP/DTS&XP)

>>

>> Taskbar Repair Tool Plus!

>> http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/taskbarplus!.htm

>>

>> Is it October already? Either way, Happy Birthday if today is your

>> birthday!

>>

>>

>> "Ike" <lkjl@gigi.com> wrote in message

>> news:e1Antid2HHA.3760@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...

>>>I help an elemantry school K-5 with the computer lab they have which has

>>>32 XP Home computers that are part of workgroup.

>>>

>>> They do not have enough money for full time administrator or

>>> administrative software or even central domain administration. so I have

>>> to work with whatever free time I have to help.

>>>

>>> some kid(s) keep rotating the screen, change the wallpaper, install

>>> programs, and change settings.

>>>

>>> I added a guest account, the onlyway they can login is thrue the guest

>>> account, administrator accounts are locked with password changed

>>> frequently.

>>>

>>> I disabled right click. locked the control panel, and no display

>>> settings. the little creeps still managed to get around it.

>>>

>>> my question is does anyone know how could they do that.

>>>

>>> second question is there anyway I can prevent them from changing

>>> anything on the computer or reset any changes after logging off.

>>>

>>> Thanks

>>> Ike

>>>

>>>

>>

>>

>

>

Posted

Re: locking XP from the little brats

 

Well if they don't need IE that's one problem that can be fixed.

 

JS

 

"Doug Knox - [MS-MVP]" <dknoxNO@Spammvps.org> wrote in message

news:FC43082B-5FFC-4F4A-88F1-0C4AC351FDF5@microsoft.com...

> Sadly there are any number of ways around some of the restrictions.

>

> 1) Rotate the display. Keyboart hot-key shortcut that is actually tied

> to the driver/systray applet for the video adapter.

> 2) Change wallpaper. Even if Display Properties are disabled, and they

> can't edit the Registry, here comes Internet Explorer to the rescue with

> its "set as background" option when right clicking on a graphic. This one

> in particular completely ignores any group policy restrictions.

>

> --

> Doug Knox, MS-MVP Windows Media Center\Windows Powered Smart

> Display\Security

> Win 95/98/Me/XP Tweaks and Fixes

> http://www.dougknox.com

> --------------------------------

> Per user Group Policy Restrictions for XP Home and XP Pro

> http://www.dougknox.com/xp/utils/xp_securityconsole.htm

> --------------------------------

> Please reply only to the newsgroup so all may benefit.

> Unsolicited e-mail is not answered.

>

> "JS" <@> wrote in message news:u4Wf2ud2HHA.4584@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...

>> It would seem that this tool should be a good test for the K-5 group, if

>> they should break through Doug's tool and munge the system again Doug

>> needs to do some updating.

>>

>> JS :-)

>>

>> "Kelly" <kelly@mvps.org> wrote in message

>> news:ukjmQnd2HHA.3640@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...

>>> Hi Ike,

>>>

>>> See Doug's Security Console:

>>> http://www.dougknox.com/xp/utils/xp_securityconsole.htm

>>> --

>>>

>>> All the Best,

>>> Kelly (MS-MVP/DTS&XP)

>>>

>>> Taskbar Repair Tool Plus!

>>> http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/taskbarplus!.htm

>>>

>>> Is it October already? Either way, Happy Birthday if today is your

>>> birthday!

>>>

>>>

>>> "Ike" <lkjl@gigi.com> wrote in message

>>> news:e1Antid2HHA.3760@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...

>>>>I help an elemantry school K-5 with the computer lab they have which has

>>>>32 XP Home computers that are part of workgroup.

>>>>

>>>> They do not have enough money for full time administrator or

>>>> administrative software or even central domain administration. so I

>>>> have to work with whatever free time I have to help.

>>>>

>>>> some kid(s) keep rotating the screen, change the wallpaper, install

>>>> programs, and change settings.

>>>>

>>>> I added a guest account, the onlyway they can login is thrue the guest

>>>> account, administrator accounts are locked with password changed

>>>> frequently.

>>>>

>>>> I disabled right click. locked the control panel, and no display

>>>> settings. the little creeps still managed to get around it.

>>>>

>>>> my question is does anyone know how could they do that.

>>>>

>>>> second question is there anyway I can prevent them from changing

>>>> anything on the computer or reset any changes after logging off.

>>>>

>>>> Thanks

>>>> Ike

>>>>

>>>>

>>>

>>>

>>

>>

>


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