"Malke" <notreally@invalid.invalid> wrote in message
news:%23dvwTEnWHHA.5108@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
> Yes, it always amuses me when people are "outraged" that Windows can be
> accessed by booting with other operating systems, etc. As you have so well
> explained, *any* computer running *any* operating system is vulnerable if
> there is physical access by a skilled person with a bit of time and a few
> tools. I can get into my Linux and OS X systems, too.


Although...

Encryption is one protection that mitigates physical access - under one
condition. The encryption keys must be unloaded when you leave the encrypted
device alone - often, this means turning off your computer.

I like to call it "defence in death" - even if the system is stolen and can
be probed by serious hackers, they will not be able to get access to data on
an appropriately encrypted drive.

Other than that, of course, you're right - physical access to systems,
particularly while they are on and logged on, cannot be used as the starting
point for a "vulnerability", because the vulnerability is precisely that you
left the machine logged on and running.

Alun.
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