OH's best mate looking at photos of me on PC!!

bedpotato_2

I haven't read the whole thread so don't know if this has been suggested yet, but why not use encryption? You mentioned "password protecting" your files, but said you can't do that - why not go one step better and encrypt them?

I would never leave personal pics on an unencypted computer, even if it was turned off, because anyone who knows how to get into a Hard Drive could steal the laptop and view your pics without even having to log in. Download TrueCrypt (or similar programme). It's free, simple to use, and prevents anyone snooping on your personal stuff. You can create a virtual hard drive or partition that no one but yourself will be able to access. However, it does not solve your immediate problem - this pervy guy has already seen those pictures of you.

For all you know, he might have copied them or emailed them to himself. It's too late this time around - but it needn't be too late next time. Encrypt your laptop - or, if you don't want to encrypt, set up a password on your main user account and have a "Guest" account for people like your OH's friend. That way, he won't be able to see your stuff.

Personally, if it were me, I wouldn't have him back in the house!

amyloofoo

Stephb1986 wrote: »

If you've put a password on the computer it's pretty obvious that you know to his mate so just leave it as that but have a word with your OH.

Steph xx

^^ This. Don't make things unnecessarily awkward for your OH, especially when he said he wished you hadn't brought it up last time. The password says everything that the 'friend' needs to know. I hope you've made it something that conveys your message like "handsoffpervert2012" :rotfl:

meritaten

I would leave it tonight - but make sure that OH knew exactly how I felt tomorrow if you dont want to bring it up tonight.

meritaten

why would you want to take such measures with a computer in your own home? OP obviously trusts her OH and he trusts her! just like in my house we dont 'hide' things. or password protect them. we dont expect 'guests' to use our computer unless they have permission. usually those guests use it to access their own effbook or twitter pages. not my own picture files. or indeed any personal files.

AppleMatt

meritaten wrote: »

why would you want to take such measures with a computer in your own home? OP obviously trusts her OH and he trusts her! just like in my house we dont 'hide' things. or password protect them. we dont expect 'guests' to use our computer unless they have permission. usually those guests use it to access their own effbook or twitter pages. not my own picture files. or indeed any personal files.

I would say protection against thieves and malware getting your data are the two top reasons to use encryption

Gloomendoom

meritaten wrote: »

why would you want to take such measures with a computer in your own home? OP obviously trusts her OH and he trusts her! just like in my house we dont 'hide' things. or password protect them. we dont expect 'guests' to use our computer unless they have permission. usually those guests use it to access their own effbook or twitter pages. not my own picture files. or indeed any personal files.

You can still be open and password protect your computers.

All the computers in our house are password protected. My wife and I both know the passwords.

butterfly72

milliemonster wrote: »

If you know he has done this before and it clearly upset you, why did you go out leaving him alone with your computer which was obviously switched on, not password protected and so easily able for him to possibly be tempted to do it again (which he has)?, having been bitten once in this way, if this had happened to me and it had upset me so much I would have made damned sure that he couldn't access my private files again

Milliemonster...Not obviously switched on! It was off, he switched it on. Didnt have permission just helped himself. As i said, when it happened a yr ago i did try and pw protect the pictures only, i didnt even realise you could pw protect windows itself! His vist wasnt planned... It was a short notice visit and tbh we've been so busy it was the last thing i thought of.. We tend to use the ipad and laptop nowdays. I was only on the pc today to print something off and thought i'd have a quick look at the history.

I think i will leave it tonight, just for my OH's sake. If i get the chance i could mention it to his mate, but will see. I feel better now i've pw protected it!

Thanks everyone for your suggestions.

January20

My computer is password protected. When I had a little bug on it a while ago, I took it to the techies at work, and asked if they needed the password. They just laughed.

AppleMatt

January20 wrote: »

My computer is password protected. When I had a little bug on it a while ago, I took it to the techies at work, and asked if they needed the password. They just laughed.

Yeah, afraid Windows Password is useless and can be bypassed very, very easily and quickly.

Encryption with a strong password using something like Truecrypt is a big step up.

/ IT Guy :money:

milliebear00001

So, he fancies you a little bit, wanted to see you in your bikini (which anyone on the beach could do) and accessed a few innocent photos. Am I alone in having an OH whose friends were occasionally a bit 'over-friendly', or even a male friend who occasionally, after a couple of beers, 'overstepped the mark'?

Perosnally, I wuldn't ruin a friendship, but would put some 'distance' between us.