Topic: Secure Box

[Smitro]

Hi all,

Recently my house was broken into. I'm getting the feeling of "what if it happens again and they take my SME Server?"

Can I secure it so that they can't take data? I'd rather the box be detroyed than stolen.

In particutlar, my box does not request a password on boot. It goes direct to the admin menu. How do I fix this?

[mercyh]

You can use the Db to change this behavior.

http://wiki.contribs.org/DB_Variables_Configuration#Console_Mode

The options are "auto" (which is what you are set too) or "login" which gives you a console prompt to login with.

[Jáder]

Please understand there is not secury at all to a hardware a technican can touch.
If he´s determined to read your HDD, he´ll succeed.

The most sofisticated lock in mechanism would be something like encrypted filesystem requiring you to enter a loooooooooooooooooooog and dificult to remember password (not stored anywhere) to unencrypt filesystem before use it. Not pratical for home use.

Maybe would be a lot more secure use obscurity: buy a old an ugly box for your SME server, put a big Linux TUX and Pentium II label all over it to let anyone know thats a old computer running linux!
Please do not stick any label saying "server" or "important" 

[versa]

Hilty bolts into a concrete base, 

If someone wants it they will take it !! there is the time factor though, how long would they willing to spend unbolting it from the floor...

[mercyh]

Please understand there is not secury at all to a hardware a technican can touch.
If he´s determined to read your HDD, he´ll succeed.

True, however most techs that I know (including myself) are waaay to lazy to burglarize houses.....

[Jáder]

Hilty bolts into a concrete base, 

If someone wants it they will take it !! there is the time factor though, how long would they willing to spend unbolting it from the floor...

I think it´s a lot of work/concrete to minor gain: the original concern is data inside computer not computer itself.
If it do not appear to worth... they will not take it. If CPU box is HUGE (tower size) and look UGLY they will think twice before think to take it away.

a label "test machine with linux" would be my obscurity approach!

[piran]

Burglars read labels...!?
Leave out a wad of (marked) notes and plastic with low limits.
Maybe then they won't waste the place just looking...
Separate out your invaluable data from the server.
Research security/encryption methodologies for ideas.
Put your oldest legacy kit in the latest flashiest gaming case
with interior glowing LEDs in full view fitted with an obvious
but token padlock Kensington (?) loop. SME runs out of a heap.

[thomasch]

You need a nuclear war safe bunker

[Jáder]

Burglars read labels...!?

I hope no...hehehe... I hope they see TUX and old box and choose the other shining new  box with Windows logo on it!

[janet]

Smitro

How about a padlock and chain ?, as big or as small as you want them to be for the level of physical security required.

[shawnbishop]

Best Solution..Criminals love a drink..

Next to the Server, leave a Jack Daniels Bottle filled with Ant Poison, one sip..and in 5 minutes he will be so sick, he cant walk..then you have caught your criminal and the server is safe..

[chris burnat]

Moving to General Discussions where it will be more appropriate.