Well, i'm here to write another exciting article regarding the security of Microsoft Windows XP! As you'll notice, since the beginning of NT, there have been security policies included as an attempt to prevent the user from accessing and changing settings, files, etc in which they aren't supposed to. Think your Windows XP Pro box with your fancy CTRL+ALT+DEL login is safe and protects your computer? Well, i'm sorry, but it doesn't..
If your login freezes up, simply hold SHIFT down about 9 seconds until a FilterKeys dialog (hidden at the time) will pop-up followed by a wierd noise.. About 2 minutes later, you'll be logged in as SYSTEM with SYSTEM rights temporarily.. This is a great time to open up cmd.exe, run regedit.exe, delete microsoft office executables, or have fun performing other anti-social acts that will piss off administrators.
I will admit it's improved since 98. Back in 98, you could just hit the 'ESC' key to get around the login on normal security configurations, login, have all the policy restrictions removed... logon, and quickly go to the start menu while you still have your 'run' command showing and of course, run regedit.exe, or command.com. The main point is that XP Pro security is not seemless by any means, regardless of what microsoft says. I added in the 98 thing just for fun.
[ September 12, 2003: Message edited by: anphanax ]
