Is nothing sacred? Windows ME profiles

What is the deal with that crappy OS, Windows ME? I have a password protected account on my machine. Well one day I decided not to log in, just startup with the default settings in place for guest. While playing around in my C:\WINDOWS file I came across a file called Profiles. It had everything from my "Secured" account, I could access anything! .EXE's, pics, story's, whatever... How the hell can I block Profiles from the guest account in Windows ME? Well it really isn't a "Guest" account, it's the account that loads when you click on cancel in the password prompt. Why would Microsoft do something so stupid? My Configuration settings, files, everything out in the open.

the problem is that you don't have any restrictions on file access. even worse, is that you can't have them with windows ME (unless you get some sort of goofy 3rd party prog). You'll need some form of NT, either NT, win2k or XP. And then you have to format/convert your drive with NTFS. Your right windows ME sucks major donkey balls, in my opinion it's actually worse than 98SE :) As far as security goes, there's not mutch you can really do short of upgrading to 2000 or XP. If you went all out and got linux you'd be secure, but the desktop environment might not be as mutch fun :(

Windows ME is just a repackaged and polished version of Windows 98. By most accounts they screwed up more than they got right and Windws 98se is still the better choice.

As stated by UpperCell, Windows ME uses the FAT32 file system which offers no way to secure or encrypt files or folders natively. You can get a 3rd party utility to accomplish the goal.

I don't have experience with ME per se, but it probably works the same as 98 which means your username and password are also irrelevant. Your username and password gets you access to your profile, but anyone can just press ESC to bypass the logon screen and still have access to every file and folder on the machine.

I suggest upgrading to Windows XP or at least Windows 2000 if you want to stick with the Windows platform. They are significantly more secure than ME / 98.

Hope that helps.

Quote:

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Originally posted here by redhawk14506
Why would Microsoft do something so stupid?

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Stupid is, is stupid does?

Windows ME is considered by many, including me, to be the crappiest OS Microsoft has made so far, it just has to many flaws and it is not worth the trouble.

I, in fact would prefer 3.11 in terms of stability and doing what it set out to do quite well. hehe isn't that sad?

I don't like NTFS much, causes havoc when you try to recover the system from somethine (hehe, My tampering usualy) and MDK can't read it, so I'm sticking with my FAT32....
if you ask me, if this is a singer user computer, delete the Gues accout, or give it a 25 digit password...

- Noia

lol, i dont mean to laugh but you have to admit its funny when people realise how BAD ME really is.
One day in the AntiOnline IRC channel i came up with a solution, This is how Microsoft could make Windows 95, 98, and the Dreaded ME closer to *NIX:

Insert a pre installed trojan like Sub7 or Netbus and have it auto turned on, at least this way its true multi user :) (yes i am a smart ass)

they could also give DOS a chance again, work on DOS and make the command prompt more powerful, i think that would really help.

I watched a special on TV on hackers and Linux (yes it was beautiful and i know ill prolly never see it again) but anyway, it was talking about how hackers who were buying new computers were calling up Microsoft for a refund, they didnt use Windows at all and it came on there computer pre installed, they got there money back :)

Acchh... Schieste! I still can't belive the horror of ME, I guess I will probably replace it with Linux, (Or Win 2k, NT maybe?). Any other suggestions for a good OS would be great. Thanks for the help guys (and gals).

suggestions for a good OS:

http://www.suse.com (awesome distro for Linux newbies and advanced users, very GUI based id YOU WANT it to be, by default its very nice looking and easy as hell to set up and a good distro to start learning Linux, also after you learn it you can play in the advanced tools and start learning more about Linux, buy it and install it, im using it as we speak, also unlike some distros the books that come with it teach you more than just how to use SuSe, theres a Linux admin book that comes with it and a SuSe book too so you can learn alot, it comes with 7 CDs and a DVD to install and a million tools.)

http://www.linuxiso.org (if you want something and just need to burn the install CDs go here, lotsa distros.)

http://www.freebsd.org (dont need to say anything about this...its the ****)

just to clarify, ME and 98 are compleatly different for many reasons, but mostly because ME re-configures itself everytime it boots. This is why so many people have spontanious problems with software on their systems. It was designed for bill gates wife and people like her. Stay far away from it.

you could always use PGP or some sort of encryption program if you wanted to keep your stuff to yourself. although with the DCMA and all the other silly laws out now, pgp may be illegal soon, if it isn't already.

http://pgp.com/products/windows/

you could also "hide" the files. not very secure, but it'll keep people from finding them from within explorer.

or you could do both.

there is also physical security. lock the door, or get a computer case that locks. I used to work in retail, and people would make some of the strangest requests involving keeping their kids off of the computer. Some companies even make desks that having locking computer cabs, so you could turn it off and lock the cab. another fun one is leaving the computer on all the time, and having the screen saver require a password, and also put a user password in your bios settings. just some suggestions....

Quote:

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Originally posted here by cross
just to clarify, ME and 98 are compleatly different for many reasons, but mostly because ME re-configures itself everytime it boots. This is why so many people have spontanious problems with software on their systems. It was designed for bill gates wife and people like her. Stay far away from it.

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The main problem with WinME was that MS used it as a beta test for some of the new features that they were experimenting with, like system restore for example, which doesn't work properly in WinME.
The way Win ME manages memory is also completely cr*p - memory leaks abound, and the only solution is to reboot :mad:
To give MS some credit, they did learn from this beta, and items like system restore work well in WinXP, although you might want to tweak the default settings (using 10% of your HDD for checkpoints seems excessive to me).


And redhawk14506, don't forget you can run more than one OS on your PC.
So if you want to stick with Windows you can get an XP upgrade (not that expensive), and/or try out some *nix OS's, using a dual boot option. There have been threads posted here about this or just look on google as to the best way of doing this - depends a bit on what flavour of *nix and Windows you wish to run.

The operating system that is best for you depends on you, and only you. I like all others agree that MS Windows ME is not a good choice in operating systems based on its unstability in even the most calm environments.

Windows 98 is the best for games due to compatability.
Windows 98 is also a good choice for graphics and/or sound production/editing, though MAC OS really does the trick in this category.
Windows XP is Great when it comes to user seperation and interaction, security, and stability.
Windows XP will have trouble with some games, though you can make use of its advanced run options to fake a windows 98/85/ME environment to make some programs run that might have otherwise not because of OS detection in intalling programs.

Linux is most definately the winner in the security/stability category. When first installed, there are a few problems in some popular distrobutions but these can easily be configured into a secure, fast, and reliable PC.

My recommendation would be Windows XP in your case. It really does have great user seperation, and no the other users cant look at your files. Check it out really.

Can I just point out I have ME @ Home for games it work's fine, ppl who have problems with ME or either stupid and think it secure, or have a shite system. True ME is not a secure system and for a good replacement M$ O/S I would choose W2K or for newbies XP. *nix is good if u like total system control.

I have even installed ME 4 friends and they have no problems I TOTALLY DISAGREE with ppl saying ME is the worse O/S. It was Windows 95 OSR 1.

Just an idea for OS options. I am running a dual boot now of XP/Red Hat. The reason being is that I would love to learn linux and see it as the next step in my devolpment but understand that it is a very complex OS. So I keep XP on here in case something happens or even if I need to do something in a hurry. I would say to try it yourself. Just pick whatever *nix you like and your flavor of M$ (but I have to agree with the general concensus here and say check out NT or XP)


hjack