My parents were on my computer again =-=

[Naruzeldamaster]

And if I dare question them about it when I see signs that they were using it, they gasslight me and call me a Schizo.
I do have a mild case of that condition, and am taking meds for that.
BUT, that doesn't change the fact that they snoop on my shit for (Most of the time) ZERO reason.
I have nothing on my PC worth 'investigating' (At least I think so. Deviant Art Favorites are a strong maybe but even then, a lot tamer than what it COULD be.)
And I don't get on their PC and invade their privacy when their backs are turned/when they're asleep.
Maybe I should start doing that to show them why it's driving me insane.

And yes I have tried changing my password, many times.

 

[pmmg]

Are you the admin of your pc? Or are they?

 

[pmmg]

So generally, if you are living with your parents, their house, their rules. Specially if you are not of an age that their guardianship can be removed.

If they are not an admin and you keep your files in your profile, they cannot snoop. Only an admin can look at other acounts.

 

[Naruzeldamaster]

Are you the admin of your pc? Or are they?

I'm the admin, but what good does that do if they know/figure out my password?

The concern isn't that they're doing the snooping to begin with, it's the why. I don't know why they can't just ask me about stuff if they're that concerned.

I respect their personal space/personal interests and even with the their house their rules thing we're all adults (I'm basically a tennate of their house paying rent)

The snooping in and of itself doesn't bother me, it's the invasion of privacy and I don't understand the reason for it. They also have their own computer two rooms away from their own bedroom so I know it's not a matter of 'oh I don't want to wake mom/dad up'

And if I ask them about it (Again) they gasslight me.

 

[pmmg]

Either your passwords are really easy or they are not guessing them.

If they need your password to snoop and your passwords are not easy, they are not snooping.

Make a hard password. If they have their own accounts, change theirs.

Then wait for the explosion.

 

[Romy]

Life was easier with parents not knowing anything about computers...

 

[pmmg]

You can also check the logs and see who logged in when or make a small script to make knowing easier.

 

[Naruzeldamaster]

You can also check the logs and see who logged in when or make a small script to make knowing easier.

that's a thing? I'm the only account on this PC (at least I think so) but I still have the option to install/uninstall stuff for 'every' account for some reason.

 

[pmmg]

Yes. I do it at all the places i support. It can tell times if not accounts. If logins are at times you are not on, you can be suspicious.

The event viewer logs this but its not user friendly.

 

[pmmg]

Here make this script...if you have the know how.

Make it a .bat file on your pc somewhere, and make a scheduled task to run it at login. (or a login script on each account on the PC).
It will create a log of logins and times and store it in the log.txt file where ever you choose to store it. You can ignore the REM statements if you like.


REM **********************
REM **Login Script User **
REM ***********************

@echo off

echo %username%; %date%; %time% >>c:\filename\log.txt

Exit

 

[Romy]

I still have the option to install/uninstall stuff for 'every' account for some reason.

That is just a difference in where soft needs to be installed. For a user or for everyone. Even if there is only one user it will ask this.

Since you don't seem to be in a position to do much against it, making separate accounts might be a first line of defence.
And protect info you feel sensitive about. Installing protection might raise their heckles but you might get away with 'i might have been hacked, activity at times I was not online'

 

[Prince of Spires]

First question is of course, how are you sure they are using your computer? Then, if you're absolutely certain, just change your password to biometrics or something they can't guess and you should be good unless you have very tech savy parents.

Anything you pick as a password should be fine really, as long as it's not superobvious. As long as you're not trying to prevent a brute-force hacking attempt then it just doesn't matter. Something like Naruzeldamaster123 is good enough (assuming that you're not using that somewhere else already of course). Yes, a computer can easily brute-force that, but with a limited amount of tries available, no human is going to guess that.

If you want to go a bit more advances, try the correcthorsebatterystaple approach (from Password Strength ). Just pick two random words and use those. There is no way anyone is going to guess "fictionwriting" or whatever is your password. Even just using yuiop (which is just the last 5 letters on the top row of your keyboard) works. As long as you're not dealing with a brute force attack but a human, just having something that can't easily be guessed does the job.

Once you're there, just make sure the password's enabled and you can't access stuff without it. And then you're good to go. Problem fixed.

Of course, you can already check logins in the event viewer: Windows access logs, including login/logout times and file access, are viewed primarily through the Event Viewer (eventvwr) under Windows Logs -> Security. Key Event IDs include 4624 (login) and 4634 (logout). If you want to know how to get there, Google is your friend. It's not hard, just finecky.

 

[Naruzeldamaster]

First question is of course, how are you sure they are using your computer? Then, if you're absolutely certain, just change your password to biometrics or something they can't guess and you should be good unless you have very tech savy parents.

Anything you pick as a password should be fine really, as long as it's not superobvious. As long as you're not trying to prevent a brute-force hacking attempt then it just doesn't matter. Something like Naruzeldamaster123 is good enough (assuming that you're not using that somewhere else already of course). Yes, a computer can easily brute-force that, but with a limited amount of tries available, no human is going to guess that.

If you want to go a bit more advances, try the correcthorsebatterystaple approach (from Password Strength ). Just pick two random words and use those. There is no way anyone is going to guess "fictionwriting" or whatever is your password. Even just using yuiop (which is just the last 5 letters on the top row of your keyboard) works. As long as you're not dealing with a brute force attack but a human, just having something that can't easily be guessed does the job.

Once you're there, just make sure the password's enabled and you can't access stuff without it. And then you're good to go. Problem fixed.

Of course, you can already check logins in the event viewer: Windows access logs, including login/logout times and file access, are viewed primarily through the Event Viewer (eventvwr) under Windows Logs -> Security. Key Event IDs include 4624 (login) and 4634 (logout). If you want to know how to get there, Google is your friend. It's not hard, just finecky.

I have a couple different ways to know.
One of them is the start screen on my browser. (The continue where I left off feature)
I know they've been on if it isn't the exact three web pages I was on are different than the ones I leave it on when I go to bed.

The problem isn't finding out that they've used my PC (They think it's 'fine' to use my PC without my permission)
The problem is 'confronting' them about it. Again, even if I have proof, they gasslight me.

 

[Romy]

For almost all security advice above to work you will need to grow into the habit of at least locking your pc when you leave for a while (can be done in screensaver or power settings). Laptop -> lock when you close, Pc -> lock when you are away for a while. If webcam supports helo, you can use that for a biometric easy unlock.
Not a bad thing to train yourself, requirement in many office environments. Since I handle (well.. qualified to) personal info, I can't even go to the bathroom without locking (and data security is 2ft away behind me) but doubt you need to be that strict since you'll see them.

 

[pmmg]

Tbh, i dont know anything about life in your home, but i suspect your parents are not snooping, least not in any meaningful way. They would need your cooperation for that.

What is gaslighting. You say they did and they say no?

 

[Naruzeldamaster]

Tbh, i dont know anything about life in your home, but i suspect your parents are not snooping, least not in any meaningful way. They would need your cooperation for that.

Home life isn't much different from sharing part of the home with a relative though I am paying rent. I have some health conditions but nothing that prevents me from being 'normal' if that makes sense.

What is gaslighting. You say they did and they say no?

Yes, they try to convince me that I am imagining things (Sometimes I will admit that I am, like say I bump my keyboard, but other times I'm clearly not imagining. Especially as mentioned before, when my home pages are different on the browser I use. I go to three specific pages when I shut down for the night and many times they have been different in the morning.) which because I'm a very mild schizo that's their go to thing.

Then they throw out a 'what does it matter if we do use it anyway, we 'all' live in the same house' which ? that's not the point? I respect their stuff and don't get on their Laptop when they're not home/asleep.

 

[Prince of Spires]

To me it sounds more like you need to have a sit down with your parents and discuss things about your relationship and how you're living together than an actual computer or security issue.

I'm not qualified to give you relationship or mental health advice, but that's the direction I'd look for to fix the issue. Good luck.