#48 - if cracking passwords is so easy in your view, i've got a few rar passwords that need cracking, please show me how easy it is? I've had a brute force cracker running nonstop for 4 weeks on a 6 core processor.........

Not Working

Fail To Launch Program


Please Reply.

@31 CORRECTION - i did NOT say 'it' was stolen... re-read it again...

"...If this is ‘stolen’ software – i don’t want it! -OR (implied)- If this is ‘re-worked’ by the same author (in ‘this’ manner)..."

(PS: Please let's all get one thing straight: FREE does not mean SAFE.
i mean come on - wasn't the Trojan Horse 'free' ???????????)

No Regards!

Hi Giovanni, thanks as always for your helpful suggestions! I tried downloading Clotho and was unsuccessful even though I made several attempts, even saving the .exe on my desktop, turning off my firewall/virus protection or try downloading from other reputable sites. Running Win 7 32 bit. Do you have any other suggestions re: software to hide files in jpegs etc.? Thanks!

Edit: XUS PC Lock offers a new and fun way for you to lock yourself out from your computer

Art K #43

Is it impossible to conceive that founding is one thing and developing another? I could have founded my company in the cold stoneage times and still steal software nowadays.

Who founded a site first is not the same as also having all the rights of being the genuine developer.

You cannot be sure and therefore one should not accuse anyone from stealing.

Utterly, completely pointless... Win+L (tada)

would this program stop hack programs like Konboot or ophcrack mybe ophcrack that hacks passwords but konboot bypass password so if you get locked out try konboot

@17: That's just a clone of CCleaner (= obviously stolen code)!

Computer user account passwords are designed to keep an honest person honest and to protect you from those in your immediate area. They are of little value when it comes to protecting your information from someone with the intentions of stealing your computer or accessing your data as passwords can be cracked in a matter of a few minutes by just about anyone with even minimal computer skills. This program, and those like it, do provide better protection as they cannot be so easily bypassed by the average computer user. However, they can be bypassed using a live cd which has a tool to load and edit the registry hive.

The best method of protecting your personal data is to encrypt it. For those with Windows Ultimate or Enterprise (Vista and Win 7) or Enterprise and Professional Windows 8, BitLocker is virtually impossible to decrypt. The same can be said for TrueCrypt. There is one software vendor, ElcomSoft, out of Russia which claims to have a software capable of retrieving the password to the encrypted files by retrieving it from the computer's memory dump files. However, the software is very pricy and probably not feasible unless you are attempting to recover information from Bin Laden's computers.

This software, in my opinion, is an effective means of protecting your computer and personal data from the average person. It was designed not only to provide security, but to provide a fun way to have security at the same time.

I see quite a few post complaining about the price tag. Of course those type post are always readily available here no matter what the given software. Software vendors spend countless hours and a great deal of money both designing and promoting their software. While I agree that some vendors appear to be overly proud of their products, most are reasonable. Yes, there are freeware available. However, you better believe the vast majority of freeware will try to slip a toolbar, software updater or some other form of advertisement in. Ashampoo comes to mind when thinking of this. These type intrusions can often be avoided by choosing the custom installation method. However, some do not provide that option.

re Giovanni's recommendation, GrekSoft-Easy-Folder-Lock. This program stores the password in plain text in '...AppData\Roaming\encrypted.folderlock' when it's closed and '...AppData\Roaming\temp123.txt' when it's open, and both files can be opened with Notepad by anybody, anytime.

This is something they'd use as a plot device in a cheesy sci-fi movie shown late at night on the Food Channel or the Golf Network in which everyone forgets or doesn't know the correct pattern until the hero recognizes it in a cloud just before the storm hits or the dog accidentally draws it in the dirt while scooting around on his rear or someone sees it reflected in the ceiling mirror above the heart-shaped hottub after the bubblebath suds begin to subside and the bubbles from the evening's all-you-can-eat curried bean burritos lazily float to the surface to form the pattern visible rightway-round in the ceiling mirror above...then they boot up the computer and immediately use it to Google for a way to make sure that nothing like this can ever be installed on it again.

Running an older version of XUS PC-lock, I did have just that problem: not that I forgot my pattern, but the touch-pad on my netbook was off, by some amount and it wasn't reading the pattern I was entering properly. After failing 3 times, it let out this loud, annoying siren-like sound for a time, then it just up and let me try again. What I eventually ended up doing (I think) was pulling the battery from the netbook to reset its memory; then it was easy to get back in.

What this means is that (at least that old version of) XUS PC-lock is a cute idea but, in reality, is naught but a toy. I would not rely on this to keep my machine secure at all.

--H

I use a fingerprint scanner, no need to worry about the pattern changing or remembering it; the only worry is about people with sharp knives. ;-D

If there is any doubt about Ashraf's analysis one only has to take it a bit further. It appears that Ashraf stopped at the domain owner. Looking at the IP owner, using.com was first registered in 1997 - way before xuspclock.com. In addition, the registered owner of xuspclock.com is WhoisGuard, a company that hides the true owner of the domain. Highly suspicious. What have they got to hide?

#18 gergn - Attaching a different version number doesn't change the underlying code. Both sites and GAOTD display a three by three matrix.
==========================
Regarding the question of what to do if you forget the pattern - think about it It is hardly likely that the author completely rewrote the Windows logon and security infrastructure. Far more likely the app uses the pattern to generate a logon string which it then sends to the Windows logon manager to use as a password. Passwords will be stored in the SAM hive no matter how that password is derived. If you forget your unlock pattern it would be the exact same condition (and solution), as forgetting your logon password: Google logon password recovery. This usually means booting up with a Linux based utility that clears your old password. (This works fine unless you used Windows to encrypt your data. Then you are SOOL unless you can recover your old password.

In thinking more about this, it looks like this is basically a cute gimmick that is quite insecure. A regular password draws upon a character set of 52 letters, 10 digits and a dozen or so punctuation marks. A three by three matrix is only nine symbols. Figure out what those nine symbols are and a password cracker will make short work of breaking in.

I use a pattern by having a picture of my choice and clicking on preset points, if I forget I can just choose to use password. No software needed, built in to Windows 8.

hey tony, stealing is not copying, and copying is stealing. since both of them look same, then we can assume that the logic behind both of them is not equal.

This software does not provide any security what so ever if you have USB or even DVD boot disk to start the windows.
All of the files on the main hard drive can be accessed, copied, removed and there is no protection what so ever.
Child's play for the hackers, even your kids.

What all seem to be missing in the difference between Eusing and XUS -- and the REAL (seeming) benefit of this vs. Windows password or Eusing -- is that this is *apparently* secure. Eusing can be subverted easily in safe mode and the exploits to Windows password are abundant.

Basically, XUS' claim here is that NO ONE (at least, no one below the gov't) can get access to your PC if they don't have the code. Whether the claim is true or not isn't tested, of course.

IN FACT, it would *seem* that this works only in Windows and that your disk could still be accessable in DOS mode. The only way that might not be true (unless they encrypt the disk like TrueCrypt, which is almost certainly not the case) would be to change the MBR ... and if THAT is true then this is just a disaster waiting to happen. I wouldn't touch it in such a case with a 10 foot pole.

The bottom-line: The answer to #2 would seem to be to enter repair mode (F8) and fix the problem OR to enter in command line mode instead of safe mode and copy your data before putting a new copy of Windows on your machine. Restore from repair mode should also work if you have a restore point.

The OTHER bottom-line is that this offering isn't all that secure. Better than Windows password but hardly a deterrent to a determined attacker of even limited knowledge.

Final judgment: Why would anyone bother with this?

@10 A Mac is an imaginary solution for rich people who don´t understand computers but think that their computersystem is the problem for not understanding.

I decided to give this a try & installed it. After a reboot (unrelated), when my windows desktop loaded I went to open task manager to kill some extraneous startup programs that eat memory & I was denied access to my own laptop task manager. It says "Task manager has been disabled by your admininstrator."
Now the only person who uses this laptop is ME. I certainly have no administrator & I certainly did not disable my own task manager.

The only thing that could have disabled my task manager is today's GAOTD since that's the only thing that was installed!

Although when I clicked on the program icon, it told me XUS PC lock is already running, the laptop doesn't appear to be locked since I'm able to open other programs & come online and write this comment!!!!!

Not only is this program a rip-off of Eusing's freeware app which btw looks excellent as do many other Eusing freewares, it's behaving as malware when it disables my task manager but fails otherwise!

I was recently looking for a program to lock my work pc in case I need to get up and grab a cup of coffee and found ClearLock. It's freeware and with a click on the icon the pc is locked. Probably not forever, but it sure will stop the snooping coworker until I get back.

There is also Windows+L which brings you to the Windows log in screen ...

The pattern thing is not for me, but if my kid would be younger, that would be a fun way to let it start up the pc. Thanks for offering it.

@#9
The failsafe is to not install it.

This just seems like a bad idea.

Apart from remembering the pattern you drew can you imagine trying to redraw it when you're just waking up or in a hurry? Or after do much caffeine or a couple of drinks?

@WoodyCurl, #21: you might try things a bit less geeky and hit [WIN]+L

@NothingIsFree, #12: Ashraf states he does not know who was first nore who makes the genuine software. Between words he assumes that XUS is not the genuine one, but he also assumes XUS is not older then 2012. He is merely guessing almost accusing.

And you strike it all by telling us XUS IS stolen software. It's all going a bit too steep now.

i already do this pattern thing on my computer. i just use the numeric keypad numbers and use the same pattern as my samsung mobile phone, and if you want you can write the numbers down so you never loose the pattern. quicker than a mouse

First given away here at April 28, 2011 (it is older then Ashraf thinks it is) going by the name XUS PC Lock Ultimate 2.0.

Today we have XUS PC Lock Pro 4.1.88

@Charles Mintoff, #2: boot from a boot-cd and remove XUSPLS.cfg and you're set to go again.

Xus Soft is stealing freeware from others and selling them for cash?
How dare you!
I hope someone will sue this company.

Sounds pretty iffy. Is it a freehand pattern you do with the mouse, or do you choose certain dots in a certain order on the lock screen? If a freehand pattern, it would be very hard to do exactly the same thing more than once. If you choose certain dots on the lock screen, does timing matter?

Instead of locking whole computer down how about(does this) just lock certain files. I need to lock my pron files from others. I don't want the others to even let them look at the titles of my pron. I Don't need to encrypt and not worried about the law. I'm not breaking any just want to hide my mild mannered pervert-isms...

What will happen if you can’t remember you lock pattern?

If you did not enable auto-lock at Windows startup in safe mode option. You can reset to the default pattern via reinstalling XUS PC Lock. If you did, We have no idea too. So you had better backup your lock pattern when you reset your lock pattern every time. You can backup your lock pattern in your flash disk or email box which you can reach it via another computer. Or print your lock pattern directly.

Viewing Ashraf's report I would be interested in hearing a reply from XUS Software.Inc. The big question, should XUS not reply is why was there no reply?

Its a good thing that we have Ashraf to do these tests and offer alternatives. Does appear someone copied someone . I guess you could find out who put theirs on the market first if you wanted to delve that deep into it . But never argue with a free program as opposed to a shareware program . These computer pattern locks are fine if you have the memory capacity to remember the pattern . I can't recall off the top of my head but it was offered awhile back on here a face recognition software that employs use of your web cam and works quite well . Sit down at the computer it recognizance's the face you set it up with and your good to go . If your not that person you can't log on and below that you can log on with your password . As i say the name escapes me and we have enough to remember without trying to remember a pattern we locked up a computer with . Just an opinion one is free to try this if your brain can remember .

@rundll32 user32.dll,LockWorkStationOk, it's a little bit geeky: put this line into a text file named autolock.cmd, then create a shortcut to that file in the Startup folder under the Start Menu and you're done... :-)

But hey, now you may sell this script for $29,95... :-)

Reply to #2.. Simple! You will lost your data forever.. :P :v :D

XUS PC Lock Frequently Asked Questions

#1. I forgot my lock pattern. How should i do?


If you did not enable auto-lock at Windows startup in safe mode option. You can reset to the default pattern via reinstalling XUS PC Lock. If you did, We have no idea too. So you had better backup your lock pattern when you reset your lock pattern every time. You can backup your lock pattern in your flash disk or email box which you can reach it via another computer. Or print your lock pattern directly.

Re Ashraf. I was not surprised. The freeware version is 2.1 and uses a 3 by 3 matrix.. The giveaway is version 4.1 thst uses a 5 by 5 matrix. In 2011 is now freeware version was given away here twice in 2011.

It is quite common that an older version is given away. And that the creator switched to another seller is also not uncommon. Never heard of a writer switching to another publishing house?

Eusing Freeware not only offers the freeware Eusing Maze Lock which as Ashraf pointed out, is almost identical to today's GAOTD, Eusing Freeware has a number of very nice useful freeware programs.
http://www.eusing.com/

Personally I like the maze lock idea. It's just "cool."

Tank you Ashraf for your useful message. (Always look forward to these helpful notes).

I think post No 2 (Charles Mintoff) already knows the answer to his question. I would expect to be locked out as with any password protection scheme.

seriously there are a few clones of this software out there, they sell the engine and all the buying companies do is change the cosmetics of the gui and mo money mo money BAM!

Nice review by Ashraf. I believe they are from the same developer, not necessarily copying from another. There are a lot of softwares that are very highly suspicious of such character, being from the same developer, sold to different vendors. So that the vendor, although giving the imnpression that they are the ones who develop them, actually fails to give adequate, timely support because they are simply the middle man directing both traffic. This can be highly confusing when both the vendor and developer have access to the same website of the software, so that what features the developer says, may significantly differ from what the vendor say in their answers to the forum discussion -- and what we have? CHAOS! CHAOS!! immeediately promised features that take years to realize, or that never will be realized, and all sorts of disappointments for the buyers who were fooled by their forums. On 3 softwares that this happen, take a look at the quite popular Rollback Rx, compared with the quite unpopular Ayrecovery, and the free Comodo Time Machine. NOBODY can ever fail to note the REMARKABLY identical fingerprint of the common developer, working in different degree for all 3 vendors - probably for the different pay given them.

What happens if you can’t remember your lock pattern and lose the key of this GAOTD after a PC crash?

30 $ for a tool like this??? Come on...

* Predator (==> My Personal First Choice)
It can lock and unlock your PC, even if your Windows session is still open, with a USB Thumb Drive.
So if you need to go away from your PC for a while, the only thing you have to do is just to remove your USB drive from your machine.
In such way the keyboard and mouse are immediately disabled and the screen darkens, until you put again your USB flash drive in place.
This is definitely a clever way to lock your PC without the need to remember the password to unlock it: cool, isn't it?
This magic FREE tool can also record all security-related events in a log file, so as to let you know if intruders have ever tried to use your machine during your absence.

http://www.predator-usb.com/predator/en

Other excellent FREE app to securely lock your PC are also these:

http://sourceforge.net/projects/winlockr
http://www.softpedia.com/get/Security/Lockdown/GrekSoft-Easy-Folder-Lock.shtml
http://www.softpedia.com/get/Security/Lockdown/OSAS-Computer-Locker.shtml
http://www.eusing.com/mazelock/pclock.htm

Usually people are eager to lock their PC because they don't want to share sensitive data with anyone else, is that right?
So, instead of locking your machine, how about hiding your important files in JPEG images, mp3, flv files and even into executable files (exe, msi) for FREE??

http://clotho.ixenity.tk/feature

Finally there is also a cool FREE program called "Desktop Patrol", which in short prevents intruders from freely using your system as much as they like (installing third party software, connecting to open Wireless Networks, accessing to external media, Windows Registry & command prompt, saving email file attachments etc.. ), even if it's actually not locked at all: too good to be true, right? Wrong!!

http://techsent.users.sonic.net/dpatrol1.htm

Enjoy!!

@1 Ashraf, what i find particularly disturbing is that we have no input from the (either?) author. If this is 'stolen' software - i don't want it! If this is 're-worked' by the same author (in 'this' manner) - i don't want it! i mean how can i trust either version??

Consider this comment a request for the vendor to give an accounting.

(PS: DM to Adam: send your Paypal # to ten_four@aol.com and will help get some blank DVDs).

Regards;

#2 Charles
It's always best to create a "system restore point prior to installing a new app, and same with protection as most of us have an advanced way to uninstalling programs including ways to restore our computer to it's former glory.
Hence it is ONLY YOUR PC which knows the password/unlocking-pattern sequence. why not create a system restore point prior to creating the Lock Pattern?
Cie La Vie :)

@Charles Mintoff - Then you're not very bright and should get a Mac.

Nice. But whats the failsafe?

This seams to make sence if you want to lock your compter to keep an other from it. This is a real good app and consider it impotance for secruity you mite get a good responce from this offering. Look like another winner! Thank

Interesting program. If, sometime, I never want to get into my computer again, I might actually try it.....

Well, this may be fun for some playful natures and with a mouse, But isn't this much more a hassle to do with a touchpad of a laptop/netbook, than quickly typing a password ??!

Nothing for serious computer users I would say...