encrypting sam

[[the]Punisher]

ok, just a question, if i were to encrypt my windows sam file (the one that holds the password info) with pgp, would i be able to log into my machine? or would that just screw everything up.

thanks,
-=[the]Punisher=-

[MrLinus]

Possibly screw things up since Windows wouldn't be aware of how to open it (unless there is an app that helps with that). Why not use the application that MS provides for this purpose: Syskey?

Microsoft Knowledge Base Article on Syskey and usage

[Tiger Shark]

Also, under normal circumstances you won't be able to access the SAM to encrypt it.

[Irongeek]

Originally posted here by MsMittens
Possibly screw things up since Windows wouldn't be aware of how to open it (unless there is an app that helps with that). Why not use the application that MS provides for this purpose: Syskey?

Microsoft Knowledge Base Article on Syskey and usage

Syskey won't help if the peron trying to crack it uses the tool SamInside to pull the key out of the SYSTEM file. Then again, there is an option to store the syskey on a floppy that you have to use everytime you boot, but that can be a pain in the ass and you better make backups of the floppy.

[SirDice]

As TS already pointed out you cannot access the SAM (the actual file) if the system is running. If you use another OS to access it and encrypt it or change it in any way I'm pretty sure your system won't even boot properly. I'll bet you even get to see the infamous BSOD.