Security Problem (Network and/or Vista experts please help!)

[Cysma]

My other computer runs Windows Vista, and I can't get on it without my parent's permission, as I don't know the password to get on my own account. Worse yet, they have a Parental Controls filter up, which means I can't access any website that is not on the list of allowed websites that my folks must put on the list.

Well, I found a way around that: Proxy sites. I go to one of the proxy sites listed on https://proxy.org.

The sites that have an "SSL" in parenthesis next to the site name are the only ones that are not blocked by the Parental Controls filter. But now my folks have caught on to this, and are trying to do something about it.

So far their efforts have been unsuccessful, but now, as I type this, they and a skilled computer technician are sitting down at my computer and are giving it another go.

So I'm asking you network security/Windows Vista experts: could they possibly succeed in preventing me from accessing proxy sites? And if so, how? Is there anything I can do about it if they succeed? Because if there isn't, I fear you may not be hearing from me again for obvious reasons.

Please answer, while I still have access to this place!

[Howlinger]

I smell a child. *Sniffs air.* And I say this because it's a bit odd your parents would even give a crap what you do on the net, and to go so far to keep you off sites that have adult content, and from what I'm reading... I really doubt you are of age to even be here because if you was... you wouldent be doing all this sneaking around... plain and simple. If your not 18... it would be wise to just leave, and come back when you are, but... in the case you want to prove me wrong. I want a photo ID along with you next to it holding it. If you fail to provide me this info. The chances are your gone, and I'll be calling your house.

[Fox-hound]

I smell a child. *Sniffs air.* And I say this because it's a bit odd your parents would even give a crap what you do on the net, and to go so far to keep you off sites that have adult content, and from what I'm reading... I really doubt you are of age to even be here because if you was... you wouldent be doing all this sneaking around... plain and simple. If your not 18... it would be wise to just leave, and come back when you are, but... in the case you want to prove me wrong. I want a photo ID along with you next to it holding it. If you fail to provide me this info. The chances are your gone, and I'll be calling your house.

I did a little digging, but this is all I can find.

http://www.gamingw.net/forums/index.php?topic=66789.0

[Nyoko Shizen]

It's already been taken care of fox.

[Cysma]

I AM TOO 19! But that still doesn't change what my parents are doing! Not one bit! I don't get it either!

[Howlinger]

I AM TOO 19! But that still doesn't change what my parents are doing! Not one bit! I don't get it either!

Then prove it.

[Ruwrak]

I AM TOO 19! But that still doesn't change what my parents are doing! Not one bit! I don't get it either!

Your parents know best, and I don't see the problem pm'ing your ID to Howlinger. Right now, it seems like you're making it worse for yourself. And big letters won't impress alot.

and to answer your original question:
Yes they can succeed.
No you cannot do anything against it.

Will that be all?

[DonHighCard]

My other computer runs Windows Vista, and I can't get on it without my parent's permission, as I don't know the password to get on my own account. Worse yet, they have a Parental Controls filter up

I really dislike to point things out but this sounds fishy.
On the other hand I know, let's say 'over-caring', parents so I'll overlook that.



A Parental Controls filter which means I can't access any website that is not on the list of allowed websites that my folks must put on the list.

At this point I need some additional info.

If you really could *only* access to the sites on the list, e.g. google, but not on the links it shows (e.g. google --> go to wikipedia which isn't on the list) then I'd say you're pretty much screwed. With such a limited operation radius there's not much you can do except trying to crack the password.

If the filter works the way that it prevents you from logging on to sites that are blocked (block list) and/or feature forbidden words (also in a list) then your chances still are quite high to be able to bypass the Parental Control filter using proxys. They can define the word 'proxy' itself as a banned word so that you don't have access on sites that have this part in the url or on the site.

In that case you'll have to use proxys like http://www.youhide.biz.


The sites that have an "SSL" in parenthesis next to the site name are the only ones that are not blocked by the Parental Controls filter.

Obviously since they use the Secure Sockets Layer to prevent data from being read (e.g. your passwords should be secured with that). What security would SSL give you if programs as the filter could read the data?

So SSL-sites are accessible.


So far their efforts have been unsuccessful, but now, as I type this, they and a skilled computer technician are sitting down at my computer and are giving it another go.

Depending on what kind of filter they use you will have problems.
If it's just an expansion of the list it should be possible to bypass it.



could they possibly succeed in preventing me from accessing proxy sites?

Of course they can, using various methods.
But proxy sites aren't the only way to bypass filters.



Is there anything I can do about it if they succeed?

As I've mentioned before, visit your friends and search for proxy sites that don't use the word 'proxy' in the URL. If that still doesn't work I have another method which seems promising but I haven't tried it out for myself yet.

Since they technically block your browser (my guess) there is one thing you can try. Download a portable browser which is already fused with a proxy or proxy programs.

Examples:
xBBrowser (http://www.download.com/xB-Browser/3000-2144_4-10660326.html?tag=mncol) (fusion of Firefox with Tor)
OperaTor (http://www.download.com/OperaTor/3000-2356_4-10794523.html?tag=mncol) (fusion of Opera with Tor)
Torpark (http://www.download.com/Torpark/3000-2356_4-10586817.html) (fusion of Firefox and Tor)

Install them on your USB-Stick. At the same time they don't leave traces behind so as long as your parents aren't behind your back looking over your shoulder they shouldn't notice. No cookies, no cache stored.


I only hope it's not too late.

[Benevolent Pudding]

http://www.insidepro.com/eng/saminside.shtml

There you go. Any computer with Vista is multi-processor, instant win.

[Cysma]

Okay, but does that program need to be "installed" in order to work? I need permission before installing programs...

[DonHighCard]

To answer your question:

No, neither my programs nor the one mentioned by Benevolent Pudding need installation.

They are so-called penware, software that can be run from DVD, CD, Diskette, USB, Flash-cards or whatever you like. You can 'install' them on your desktop but since it's just extracting of files without any change of the registry it should be possible to use them.

As for the recovery of passwords I could mention another program:
Ophcrack (http://ophcrack.sourceforge.net/download.php?type=livecd) together with a step-by-step-turitorial (http://pcsupport.about.com/od/toolsofthetrade/ss/ophcracksbs.htm).

Download the .iso-file, burn the .iso on a CD (using the 'burn image/iso on CD'-feature of your prefered bruning software), turn the PC off (leave the CD in the drive), wait a few minutes and it will give you all the passwords.

LEGAL DISCLAIMER: Cracking of passwords is illegal. In some cases (like recovery of your OWN password) it is allowed to use such software. But even that use is prohibited in some countries.

[blackbeardlion]

sites like that are like saying "please give me a virus! please i beg you!" and they are always happy to oblige you. there are much better ways to use a proxy. just use the built in firefox proxy system and find a good ip

http://www.insidepro.com/eng/saminside.shtml

There you go. Any computer with Vista is multi-processor, instant win.

outright fabrication. you can get single core systems that use vista. in no way is dual core a requirement of vista. you can get in on the late P4 and or on the intel celery (celeron). in fact you can use the upgrade pack on almost any pc with xp that meets the basic requirements.

[Benevolent Pudding]

outright fabrication. you can get single core systems that use vista. in no way is dual core a requirement of vista. you can get in on the late P4 and or on the intel celery (celeron). in fact you can use the upgrade pack on almost any pc with xp that meets the basic requirements.
Yeah, that's true, but unless you're upgrading an older computer from an older XP-run computer to Vista (and why in the hell would you want to do that?), you're going to have a dual core.

[Fox-hound]

He's banned. Nevermind.

Requesting a lock.