Hiding files from beady eyes, Anyone know how? Options

[nakamura]

Hi folks.

Moving in with one of my mates soon who wants to share my computer. Worried that he'll find some of my gay porn, just wondered if anyone knew of a sure-fire way of hiding them or password-protecting them in some way?

[molley]

You don't say if you are using a PC or a Mac but if you use Windows 7
have a look here
http://www.addictivetips.com/windows-tips/...older-in-vista/
Otherwise Google for " password protecting folders in xxxx"

[ic1male]

Create him a standard (limited) user account for him to log in with when he wants to use your PC. This will prevent him from accessing any of the folders under your username or installing software or changing important system settings. If he just wants to do day-to-day tasks like web browsing, email, etc. then he won't be restricted in any way.

[nakamura]

Hi molley.

Thanks again for your reply. I should just mark these kind of posts for your attention only in future since you're always helping me out

I downloaded that Lock-a-folder program but even though the folders are out of the way (which is good), when I tested typing some letters into the search box within the start menu it still showed the files and worse still, when you clicked on them they opened

Is there a way of disabling the search facility?

[molley]

Hi molley.

Thanks again for your reply. I should just mark these kind of posts for your attention only in future since you're always helping me out

I downloaded that Lock-a-folder program but even though the folders are out of the way (which is good), when I tested typing some letters into the search box within the start menu it still showed the files and worse still, when you clicked on them they opened

Is there a way of disabling the search facility?

Don't like the sound of that ..not a lot of good is it ..lol I doubt you can disable the Search facilty . What are you using a PC ? Which Windows if so ?
Perhaps iC1Males suggestion might be better and easier

[nakamura]

molley - yes it is good in one sense but not so very good in the other! The file disappears from view (good) but if you key in the letter 'g' into the search box you get every file on the computer with the letter 'g' in the name of the file coming up (bad). It's a Windows 7 PC btw

ic1male - thanks for your suggestion, I like the sound of that! How can I create a limited user account? At the moment I key in a password for me to access my PC. Can you tell me if I surf the net and then he logs in, will he be able to see what I've been surfing and vice versa? Or is all that private too? Any help is greatful!

EDIT - (update)

I have just tried again by first marking the folders and their contents as hidden then I used the lock-a-folder program - this time when I try the search box nothing shows!

This post has been edited by nakamura: Jul 31 2012, 12:35

[ic1male]

If you go to the start menu and type add user you will get an entry saying "Create standard user account".

Pick this and a new window pops up. Type in a name for the account (friend's name would be good), make sure standard user is picked and choose Create Account.

On the next screen, if you want to give the new account a password, click on it and choose "Create a password". Fill the boxes in as appropriate.

When all is done, that account is ready to be picked from the welcome screen.

All your stuff is completely private - folders, files, browsing history, etc. providing you have a password on your own account which no-one knows.

Get in to the habit of always locking your computer when you leave it by hitting Windows key + L. This puts you back into the welcome screen so you can either unlock and carry on or someone else can switch user and log in as themselves.

[molley]

molley - yes it is good in one sense but not so very good in the other! The file disappears from view (good) but if you key in the letter 'g' into the search box you get every file on the computer with the letter 'g' in the name of the file coming up (bad). It's a Windows 7 PC btw

ic1male - thanks for your suggestion, I like the sound of that! How can I create a limited user account? At the moment I key in a password for me to access my PC. Can you tell me if I surf the net and then he logs in, will he be able to see what I've been surfing and vice versa? Or is all that private too? Any help is greatful!

EDIT - (update)

I have just tried again by first marking the folders and their contents as hidden then I used the lock-a-folder program - this time when I try the search box nothing shows!

ic1male will I am sure ,give you detailed help .I'm not familiar with doing that but this article might help somewhat until he comes back on
http://www.resetwindowspassword.com/acticl...-windows-7.html

EDIT ..Oh I see he has been back lol

This post has been edited by molley: Jul 31 2012, 12:44

[nakamura]

Cheers ic1male - I have just created his account so l'll just make it out this is for his benefit rather than mine!

So, just for my own peace of mind, if I downloaded something which got saved into download files folder (whilst within my user account), if I then log off and he logs on, the file I downloaded won't be there for him to see? Sounds too good to be true, lol

EDIT ..Oh I see he has been back lol

Thanks again molley, bit by bit I am getting there!

[ic1male]

So, just for my own peace of mind, if I downloaded something which got saved into download files folder (whilst within my user account), if I then log off and he logs on, the file I downloaded won't be there for him to see? Sounds too good to be true, lol

He'll be able to see your user folder but nothing inside it. When he clicks on it, it will ask for an Administrator password (yours) which he won't know. The contents are not accessible. So as long as you save everything in the folders under your name (be sure you are specifically under your name and not going through the confusing Libraries folder) you will be fine.

[molley]

Cheers ic1male - I have just created his account so l'll just make it out this is for his benefit rather than mine!

So, just for my own peace of mind, if I downloaded something which got saved into download files folder (whilst within my user account), if I then log off and he logs on, the file I downloaded won't be there for him to see? Sounds too good to be true, lol

Just a thought from what you just said ..If you click TOOLS/DOWNLOADS a window appears showing your recent downloads ( unless you have cleared the list) so what happens if the other account holder clicks TOOLS/DOWNLOADS ..does he see your list or one of his own cos that comes via Int Explorer ( if you use it )

[ic1male]

Every user has their own settings for IE.

[nakamura]

He'll be able to see your user folder but nothing inside it. When he clicks on it, it will ask for an Administrator password (yours) which he won't know. The contents are not accessible. So as long as you save everything in the folders under your name (be sure you are specifically under your name and not going through the confusing Libraries folder) you will be fine.

Sounds superb! I just gave it a go and was surprised to see his user account was back to the default screensaver, which immediately looked like a good thing! Whenever I save anything it just saves either in my pictures folder, video folder or downloaded files folder. All of these appear to be in my User folder. So just keep doing the same thing and the 'libraries' part should not become an issue?

I noticed that there was a 'Guest' account also. Does this work the same way? ie. instead of setting up an account for him can he just log on as a guest and he will not see anything belonging to me? Or is that not how it would work?

I really value the time u and molley have spent on this and I'm sure a few others will be learning a thing or two (or maybe it's just me being a dumbass).

This post has been edited by nakamura: Jul 31 2012, 13:00

[ic1male]

Aye, you could always enable the guest account. It would do the same thing if you had a house full of people that you didn't want to create accounts for.

[nakamura]

Aye, you could always enable the guest account. It would do the same thing if you had a house full of people that you didn't want to create accounts for.

Quality! Am just thinking that would be good because then I could log in as a guest whenever I am not being filthy-minded and then only log into my user account when I want to access my files or download filth! This also doesn't highlight the situation so much by having a separate account for him and me, which more or less confirms I'm a dirty bastard with a secret.

That's one less stress on my shoulders.

Now, where should I hide those dildos? (joking)

In all seriousness, thanks guys

This post has been edited by nakamura: Jul 31 2012, 13:11

[Tiuri]

Quality! Am just thinking that would be good because then I could log in as a guest whenever I am not being filthy-minded and then only log into my user account when I want to access my files or download filth! This also doesn't highlight the situation so much by having a separate account for him and me, which more or less confirms I'm a dirty bastard with a secret.

Your computer, your rules. It's not just privacy, it's protection for you as well. If he were to download something illegal, say child pornography, now you can legitimately say you did not know about it because he has his own separate account. You might also use online banking and he has no business accessing that. So you're not dirty bastard with a secret, you're a privacy conscious friend who graciously allows your friend to use your computer under your conditions

[ic1male]

Whenever I save anything it just saves either in my pictures folder, video folder or downloaded files folder. All of these appear to be in my User folder. So just keep doing the same thing and the 'libraries' part should not become an issue?

That's right. It's just sometimes using the Libraries folder, you can accidentally save stuff into the Public Videos/Docs/Music/Pictures folders underneath and then everyone would be able to see what you're up to.

[nakamura]

Your computer, your rules. It's not just privacy, it's protection for you as well. If he were to download something illegal, say child pornography, now you can legitimately say you did not know about it because he has his own separate account. You might also use online banking and he has no business accessing that. So you're not dirty bastard with a secret, you're a privacy conscious friend who graciously allows your friend to use your computer under your conditions

Never thought about it that way mate but you're spot on

I'll go back to the first plan and he can have his own account instead of us both using guest account for everyday browsing.

That's right. It's just sometimes using the Libraries folder, you can accidentally save stuff into the Public Videos/Docs/Music/Pictures folders underneath and then everyone would be able to see what you're up to.

Aye that would be a disaster and would just be my luck, lol

[jumbler]

Quality! Am just thinking that would be good because then I could log in as a guest whenever I am not being filthy-minded and then only log into my user account when I want to access my files or download filth! This also doesn't highlight the situation so much by having a separate account for him and me, which more or less confirms I'm a dirty bastard with a secret.

Your computer, your rules. It's not just privacy, it's protection for you as well. If he were to download something illegal, say child pornography, now you can legitimately say you did not know about it because he has his own separate account. You might also use online banking and he has no business accessing that. So you're not dirty bastard with a secret, you're a privacy conscious friend who graciously allows your friend to use your computer under your conditions

That's just raised an important point. It's not just about whether you let a mate access your PC. What if you had a bf who wanted to access it too??
But he had a dark, and criminal side...

It gets a bit scary when you think about it.

This post has been edited by jumbler: Aug 13 2012, 23:04

[Tiuri]

What if you had a bf who wanted to access it too??
But he had a dark, and criminal side...

It gets a bit scary when you think about it.

So it's alright to have a dark and criminal boyfriend (whom you presumably have sex with) but letting him access your computer is a bit scary????

Sometimes I wonder about you Jumbler