Hi Guys
I use Google docs/sheets a lot but lately I have been thinking, if my laptop was stolen, can that person open the 2 tabs for docs/sheets and have access or can I protect them in any way.
I realise I can copy any important stuff to a stick so pc is empty, but just checking??
Steve
A simple answer, I dont have a log in pw set, naughty I suppose, but based on the fact I am only one AT PRESENT who uses pc, but point taken.
If/when I set one, is that pretty watertight if pc stolen? whilst waiting for replies, I can copy/pasting all to a memory stick, what do you reckeon.
"If/when I set one, is that pretty watertight if pc stolen?"
No, sorry. If somebody has physical access to the computer then they can generally get access to all its contents.
- If you have Windows 10 Pro, you can set BitLocker and that will protect the contents very effectively.
- If you use an Office application that can set ' file open' passwords for individual files then that can be an effective defence for those specific files depending on the strength of the application's password module.
- - I use MS Office and its password protection is excellent if long, strong passwords are used.
- - I do not know if Google docs / sheets have this capability.
Best of luck,
Denisw
Thanks for reply, I think I will carry on to " download any important stuff to my memory stick (which I keep around my kneck" but will also log in with a pin number.
It is not the security of your computer that will prevent access to your Google docs, but the security of your Google account.
If you have a strong password and use multi-factor authentication for your Google account, and you choose to delete all cookies on closing the browser (effectively logging you out), even if your machine is ever compromised, your Google account data will be safe. This also assumes that you do not use your browser to store passwords but, instead, use a password manager or your own memory (not reliable). The same must apply to all of your other logins. EG: You must be automatically logged out when the browser closes and all cookies must be automatically deleted . So much the better if all your logins use strong, unique passwords, never the same one.
Please note that even if you do have a password or security key to login to Windows, your machine can still be accessed by anyone who knows how, such as a technician or, worse still, some dodgy skank. Even so, taking every possible precaution, you should be fairly safe unless extremely unfortunate.
In terms of the physical securing of your machine, get a Kensington Lock. However, if someone really wants your machine, they'll just take it.
Christophe
PS: If you use Google Docs consistently, and are still concerned about security, consider Google's Advanced Protection Program. It's excellent. (Settings>>Security>>Google Advanced Protection program [bottom of page]). Only your Google login will protect them, so make sure it is water tight, as strong as you can make it. Then you should be very safe and can relax.
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No, they don't, unlike MSOffice apps. The only protection offered is the Google login itself but, as you know, that can be seriously strong, especially if the Advanced Protection program is used. It's designed for anyone at risk of targeted attacks, such as the famous, politicians, etc. But anyone can use it, and it is pretty much impenetrable, in so far as that is ever ultimately possible.
Christophe
Last edited by CMArbres; 11 Jan 2022 at 09:53.
Just to avoid anybody coming to this thread getting hold of the wrong end of the stick, it is only Office [Excel, Word, PowerPoint] 'file open' passwords that can be regarded as excellent. Passwords for individual Excel worksheets can be bypassed and they really only protect against changes being made by well-intentioned users.
Denis
The USB stick that contains my sensitive MSOffice data is backed up to another that is nailed to the wall behind the boiler.
Hi guys
Password or no ,every computer can be booted if You have the tools
And about bitdefender , i do not trust it because the password are stored onto microsoft servers,
even server(s? ) located in China , why have Chinese a special version of windows ??? , haha
The same for administrator & user passwords
I have nothing to hide,so no passwords for windows
and if You really need to secure something , then there is the free Veracrypt, a lot safer than
bitdefender ,but not 100 % safe , you need to block access to microsoft servers to be 100% save.
So no updates , remote etc , windows core will work perfectly without all this windows useless trash
That my opinion and findings, but probably not everybody else opininion. , sorry
icy
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