Low Tech

[LOBO3315a]

Physical security is the first step in any data management. If someone can turn the computer on, they have all they need to get to your data. The rest is just time. Physically lock the computer, or remove it.

[TXex's]

Unless she is very tech savvy I think that a Bios password would do the trick to keep her out. You could combine this with a small lock on the back of the PC case (if it has a tab for one) as that would prevent her from opening the case to hit the jumper to reset the Bios. Either way though if she were to disable to Bios password, you would know she entered into the system and that something could be compromised.

As for history, clearing your history on anything only clears so much. I recommend using Google Chrome and browsing in Incognito mode.

[spritom]

For simple/easy steps:

* Physically keep your data from the person you don't trust
If there's a computer in the house, don't do anything sensitive on it. If you save files, always save them to a USB drive and keep that USB drive with you.

* Don't leave tracks
For simple internet browsing, like mentioned above, Google Chrome then select Incognito mode. It doesn't save anything.

For not as easy:
* Encryption
TrueCrypt is free and is as effective as PGP. It is more steps, but it works, with one possible downfall of a Keylogger.


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Other than the above, it can take 20 minutes for someone with physical access to the computer to copy everything that's on it. If your USB drive is with you, you browsed in Incognito mode, or you have encrypted data, then the person won't get anything.

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The best thing though would to get a lousy $189 Netbook this Friday, keep it with you and only use that for your sensitive stuff and just don't do anything sensitive on the other computer.

[Southern.Putter]

How about this? Just scrape together $250 or so and buy yourself a netbook. You can run office on it, browse the web all you want and easily take it with you wherever you go. Problem solved.