How can you tell if someone has been using your computer?

[fitzm]

Is there anyway to tell the last time your pc has been used or turned on? If not on the pc itself, is there any hardware or a program that will tell you?

 

[Czar]

There are plenty of logging programs out there, keyboard logs, system logs, mouse logs.

Go to www.tucows.com and search there

 

[err]

It depends on what OS you are using..
With WinNT that is no brainer... event log can tells you when the computer was turned on and shut down.

eRr

 

[khat]

I created a VERY simple logging program, basically all you need to do is place a shortcut in the start up menu

all it does is everytime windows is started, it writes the time and date to a list.

If you want it, contact me on khat57@hotmail.com

it's 32K

 

[WebDude]

Actually, I think there's a pretty good way that's already built into windows. Basically, look at file modification dates and times. Go into Windows Explorer, do a file search based on time -- like files modified in the last day or so -- and then sort the column by file date. You will see a bunch of files at the top of the column that got modified when you booted up, and any activity since. Going back in time (down the column), you can see when files were modified before that. It's not as straight forward as a logging program, but you'ld be surprised at what you can find out using this method. And if any files have time/dates for a period when you were, say, not at home (or work), then I would begin to suspect that someone else has been using the computer.

 

[medic]

Run/drwatson.exe

Double click the icon and look at the system tab.

 

[Ulysses]

I haven't made Dr. Watson's acquaintance in a while. He is hiding in my Windows directory and in the Systems Information applet, but when I click on him he won't come out! I wonder why?


I recently reinstalled Win 98SE from scratch, but deleted the Windows Update Notification and Task Scheduler, and maybe some other little things I don't recall. Only a real Sherlock Holmes of the PC world could figure this out.

 

[TheMadBastard]

This proggy makes a dated log of what is being typed from the keyboard.

http://www.keylogger.com/downloads.htm

 

[khat]

all drwatson does is lets you know how long it has been turned on, cumulative - isn't it

also, just goto run in start menu and type "drwatson.exe" dry

run it

cheers
KHAT

 

[Scarpozzi]

This is sort of a different solution, but if you are trying to keep people off your computer, try a BIOS password if you don't want anyone messing with your computer. It won't keep people like me out of it, but the average Joe won't know how to get around it. The only way to get by a BIOS password is to either fine the correct jumper on your motherboard to disable it or to take the battery out for a while. So...if you're worried about security, try that...or get WIN NT or 2K, then you can make user accounts and REALLY lock down your system to keep hosers out.

 

[hubbs]

Just don't let anyone else use your computer. I seen a mouse lock thing that locked your mouse and it wouldn't move w/o a password. I would have downloaded it but I have no use really.