Security at login screen

[bthrel]

Hello everyone;

Been a lurker for quite some time now and thanks to all of you have learned quite a bit as well as solved several XP problems… Thanks! Now to my question… When (using XP Pro and connected to the internet via cable or DSL) you logout of your account and leave the system at the welcome/login screen is it susceptible to hackers or have all the services and tcpip/network protocols been suspended?

Thanks again

Brian

 

[xsivforce]

First question. Are you using a firewall?

 

[bthrel]

Yep.. using NIS (Norton Internet Security). Not sure, but it appears to stop when you logoff...

Brian

 

[Hipster Doofus]

Have a look at the log file from Norton. If it is anything like mine you'll see if there have been attemps to get in when you are logged off. I'm sure there would be which would mean it is working.

 

[Qumahlin]

Norton I believe does have the ability to block attacks while not logged in since some of its services start before login, similar to zone alarm.

Another thing though is if this is the first time logging on I know on my system atleast that until I login as a user for the first time after a reboot my computer does not contact the DHCP server of my provider. Therefore I have no IP address to attempt a connection. However if you have already been on the net and then logged out to the user screen I'm not sure if the tcp/ip stack clears and renews the DHCP timers. It would be easily testable by looking at the time of renew and such right after logging in, but I can't do it now as I don't wanna destroy my record uptime

 

[xsivforce]

Originally posted by Qumahlin
but I can't do it now as I don't wanna destroy my record uptime

You guys and your uptimes.

 

[Qumahlin]

oh your just mad cause my uptime is longer then yours!

 

[xsivforce]

Now you're just bragging.
Make a man feel inadequate.

 

[bthrel]

Qumahlin and Hipster Doofus.. you guys nailed it. Actually after I posted the question I checked the NIS log for another reason and stumbled accross the answer Hipster Doofus offered up.

Thanks

Brian

 

[Dragon Eye]

what would work is instead of actually logging off, just use the switch user feature and leave one account running in the background with norton running.

All programs are still running in the background, so norton should as well.