How should I protect myself when other people use my computer?

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For the same $5000 the OP could get one
helluva new machine.

What's that? What about your data?
You do have backups of your important
data, right?

So, we have another cautionary tale on why
data backups are important.

I had a similar issue, the only difference was it was not a business machine. I was allowed all of my equipment back after their investigation, and the only thing they kept were the hard drives with the illegal items on it. I did have to get ahold of the officer in charge and they allowed me to have copies of all other information from that drive. Backups in this type of situation won't work, with me...they took EVERYTHING, even flash drives.
I suggest you find out about the officer and contact them, it will take time, it took about 19 months for my items to be cleared for me to get them back.

When 'authorities' confiscate equipment as described here, there should be an exchange of information identifying the serial numbers of the equipment taken and an expected (realistic) return date set. I know this is after-the-fact in this case, but proper procedures on the part of the confiscating authority would enable extracting whatever information is available while protecting the property rights of the owner whose property is being forensically analyzed.

I know this isn't THE point of your article, Leo, but it IS worth considering, after all. The point that a lawyer's fee would exceed the cost of the computer and etc. doesn't make the loss of the property OK. In fact, that argument sort of justifies paying the fee or lose the property! Really a lose-lose proposition... so next time, or for anyone's first time, have the authorities sign for possession of the property. It will make it a whole lot easier to recover. Won't sign? At least document everything, serial numbers, date, circumstances, etc. and pictures would help, especially pictures of the confiscating personnel with the equipment.

It sounds like it was a hard lesson, but be VERY glad that you were not thrown in jail. Child porn laws are very strict and making an excuse of "I did not know ..." is not enough to keep you out of jail.

Take some time to read up on proper use of the Internet and have a networking company set-up your work computers with protections!

I understand they will take everything, even USB flash drives, but there are plenty of ways to make and store backups that they cannot take.

1. Emailing yourself important files to your Yahoo or Gmail account as attachments.

2. Backup to an online backup service, such as dropbox.

3. Backup to DVD/CD/Flash and store in a safe deposit box. (Do they need a court order to get to that backup?)

Making a full image backup of the disk would probably mean those backups are in peril (since they have the offending data). But it seems to me that one can easily make backups of important data files and/or subdirectories to multiple places that cannot be lost or confiscated.

Having a backup of just your Quicken data files, for example, to a DropBox.com account, is a good idea.

The point is the data is more important than the hardware.

Living without the confiscated PC for 19 months sounds terrible, but living without your Quicken or TurboTax data for 19 months could be really really devastating.

I can't think of any reason that the FBI would need anything but the hard drive(s) for forensic analysis. The keyboard, monitor, etc. are superfluous. I would take names and demand an explanation. I wonder if one can take the FBI to small claims court.

I always preface my "response" comments with this. I'm in no way trying to be disrespectful or rude, but I do challenge John B. Moss's comment "...have the authorities sign...."

I'm not sure if you've ever been "caught" (or in this case accused) of doing anything wrong, but it's very difficult to think of "dotting the 't' and crossing the 'i'" in a situation like that. This isn't a routine traffic, this is a federal agent. Furthermore, you're proposing to challenge the authority and their process. If you ask, "will you wait here, while I inventory everything and then sign it when I'm done”, their stance will be impatient at best and realistically it will be contemptible. Saying this to an FBI agent while he's doing his job is like telling him he's not doing it very well or that you don't trust him. Protocol is one thing, but people will be people. Either way, you've put him in the position to be even MORE accusational or suspicious. God forbid he’s recently been in an argument with his wife or just simply having a bad day. Worst case scenario is, if they didn't follow procedure, then perhaps a good lawyer can play that in your favor when justice is being decided, in the court room. I believe that challenging the authority for any reason at the time of "getting caught" is in your worst interest. Settle it in court.

Isn't that what user controls are for. But then again, if you don't foresee a problem, you won't do anything to prevent it.

Personally, I think the writer was the one downloading the kiddie porn and is trying to wiggle out by playing dumb. I simply can't believe anybody would just let a herd of teenagers stampede into his or her place of business and use the computer. I don't even let my son's friends use our computer let alone a bunch of kids I don't know. It's meshuga.

A lot of people seem to be falling into your camp, and suspicious of the person asking the question. Obviously I don't know for certain, but I can say this: there are most definitely a lot of people out there who have about this person's level of computer sophistication and knowledge - i.e. nearly none. I hear from them all the time. I think it's at least plausible that this person is exactly as represented.

28-Oct-2009

What a 'sad' story! This person was only trying to be kind and look what happened.

I am quite sure that this can happen to a lot of people, since too many computer users haven't a clue about what they are doing. There are times, when I honestly think computer users should go through a 'class' of some sort, to help them learn about security and safety. Listen, you can't get a Driver's License in any state without proof that you know how to drive and take a test to show that you understand the rules. In my humble opinion, computers users should be able to demonstrate basic skills, as well.

This person really should pay the lawyer's fee. I know that it is high, but, they may never be able to have a computer, again. Bottom line, it was their computer that child porn was found on it. As far as the Feds are concern, they don't have to believe the owner, too many people that love child porn, are prone to lying themselves. I am NOT saying that this person is a child porn lover, just that the Feds are highly suspicious of anyone who has child porn on their computers.

I only allow my family on my computers. I know what they know and watch my grandkids, very carefully. They have been taught about security and safety. Yes, even I have been taken to adult websites, when I have put in a wrong address, but, that can be easily taken care of with programs like CCleaner, WindowWasher and the like. I also, STRESS the importance of NEVER clicking on Pop-Ups warnings and etc.!!!

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