> If I set one Vista account to share files over the net connection, is
> that a major security breach?
You have to be vigilant. There are also rules to create safe PWs. No PW with
your first or last name, no birth date, etc.
http://www.microsoft.com/india/smallbusiness/themes/use-safe-software/effectivepassword.mspx
>In theory one would need to know the
> account name and password to access the files.
Yes, this is true and a strong PW guarantees that the shares are safe.
>But has every hacker
> on the web already figured out how to get past this? Or some of them
> anyhow?
Apparently NO but they are trying hard. If you monitor the posts in this NG,
a lot of shadowy characters around here are trying to badmouth Vista,
suggest that people should go back to XP, Linux, etc. They monotonously
attack anyone who contradicts them. Vista is a knife in their heart and they
know it. All kinds of ridiculous statements could be read, quite hilarious
at times.
> Basically I'm asking whether I need remember to kill the share
> capability whenever I take the machine out of the house like one had
> to do with XP?
I do not quite understand this. If you take your machine out of the house
and you lose it, or it is stolen, then anyone who could break your sign in
PW will be able to compromise your files no matter what. It will all depends
on the strength of your PW.
If they install a new Vista over this HDD all files of any security
significance will be collected in Windows.old folder and the person will
come here asking for ways to break in. It is kind of unlikely they will be
able to do it, although I am not sure about the last part.
"Bill Martin" <martin_spamtrap@verizon.net> wrote in message
news:ahhmq394d27bqulha2hukps7gkj0u0pl0j@4ax.com...
> Anyone know how secure Vista's account passwords are?
>
> If I set one Vista account to share files over the net connection, is
> that a major security breach? In theory one would need to know the
> account name and password to access the files. But has every hacker
> on the web already figured out how to get past this? Or some of them
> anyhow?
>
> Basically I'm asking whether I need remember to kill the share
> capability whenever I take the machine out of the house like one had
> to do with XP?
>
> Thanks.
>
> Bill