Cracking a Password

[sigstroker]

They're going to have to contact all the businesses they have accounts with. Might as well start on that now. There might be statements that were mailed so at least you know which banks and stores to contact.

[4DSJW]

They're going to have to contact all the businesses they have accounts with. Might as well start on that now. There might be statements that were mailed so at least you know which banks and stores to contact.

All of this has already been started. When my sister heads up to NV again next week, my dad will create a Durable and Health POA for her to use. One of our concerns is that my stepmom may have gone paperless on some accounts. In which case the only communications will be on her PW locked computer. I'm sure that overdue notices would eventually arrive in the mail, but we would like to be ahead of that problem. Fortunately, my dad has a pretty clear memory and knows what accounts/banks/etc. they have.

[nine mil thrill]

when my dad passed away, i took it to one of those computer repair place in staples/officemax etc., and i explained the situation, I did have the death certificate with me.......and while I waited, he inserted a cd, and it rebooted the system about six or seven times, and the password was removed.

[4DSJW]

when my dad passed away, i took it to one of those computer repair place in staples/officemax etc., and i explained the situation, I did have the death certificate with me.......and while I waited, he inserted a cd, and it rebooted the system about six or seven times, and the password was removed.

This is a possibility. My sister could take the computer in to have this done, while she is there. BUT, she is already going to be pretty busy, and finding someone to go to the house and do this onsite would be ideal. I'm working on that now.

[baih777]

Once she gets the POA.
She contacts all the accounts and she needs to have them change the email address on each account. And then change to paperless statements.
Some accounts she may need to FAX copies. Not email.
Tell her the bank may take 3 hours to make changes.

Once you get around the password for the computer... then you need to try and get the password to the email.

[hermosabeach]

I installed a remote connect software on family's PC

They give me access and I can
1) run anti spyware / malware program
2) verify their anti virus is working and updated
3) check programs installed by date to see if anything was added


For folks in a similar boat- set up an admin account. Have parents use a user account with lower permission levels.

[4DSJW]

I installed a remote connect software on family's PC

For folks in a similar boat- set up an admin account. Have parents use a user account with lower permission levels.

Regarding computer access. My sister will be visiting my dad this coming week and I have made arrangements for a local IT company to go out and gain access to the computer. My sister can then change the password. I suggested to her that she also install remote access software.

hermosabeach, what software are you using, and are you happy with it?

My dad does not use the computer, so he doesn't need access. It would be nice to set up non-admin access for my step-mom, but I'm not sure how I can limit the damage she might do by randomly clicking on links.

Thank you for all the thoughts and comments!

[G-forceJunkie]

Try common things like birthdays, anniversary, wedding date, kids names, pets names, etc.

[4DSJW]

New Twist! The IT tech was out to my dad's house, the computer has been accessed and the password has been reset. New issue is that the computer has a virus (not really surprised). I'm looking for recommendations on anti-virus software for a PC, and for a robust program that will allow my sister to log in to the NV computer from her CA home WITHOUT LOCAL PERMISSION from the NV computer.

[elcajon]

The tech should have taken care of the virus…

[DB>]

Depending on the "virus", you may now have no choice but to pull the drive and use another machine to access it and disinfect. Most of the infected computers I've dealt with had a reinfection routine on reboot, so it's very hard to clean up, as the problems start all over again once the computer gets fired up and can find an internet connection...

I know it's stressful with all the other things going on, but this kind of thing happens, and a competent tech can handle it - Win pw crack is literally stick in a USB or CD, run a couple small programs, computer unlocked, typically in a minute or two. Virus elimination depends a lot on what the infection is, but again, most techs have external drive mounting capability, and can address the cleanup. It shouldn't be too hard to find a young computer savvy person, or an older "retired" computer guru to get this resolved fairly quickly, and if you explain the situation most will be able to tell you if they can handle it or not.

[4DSJW]

Update... I talked directly to the IT tech to get a report on how things went. My sister was pretty tired when we talked on the phone and she got a few things wrong. The tech did indeed clear the computer of any viruses, rebooting several times to make sure all the changes stuck and nothing came back. He also set up a simple user account for my stepmom so she can't get into any trouble, as well as setting up remote access for my sister. At this point I think we are as good-to-go as we can be, as far as the computer and access are concerned. Thank you to everyone for you comments and suggestions.

[nine mil thrill]

good to hear !

[Rivers]

An often overlooked item is their insurance coverage. It may pay for service, recovery or loss of electronic data. Look at the homeowner policy or talk with the agent to see if insurance will pay in this instance.

[SonofWWIIDI]

You may have already considered this, but I would also get a copy of their credit report once the POA PPW is completed.

JMHO