What do you do?

[imagine4134]

I have no clue where to ask this question.

I've had at various times been asked by a "friend of a friend" to blow by passwords strictly because a couple got into a fight and one person changed the password of the other to lock him/her out of the computer.

I see where it's common for users to lock themselves out of the computer, but what do you all feel is the best ethical way of handling the proposed situation? I mean, there's no way of knowing the person's account is legit, it may be this person's attempt to actually lock the other one out of the computer. You see how this could be sticky.

Note: the two times I've been asked to do this the couple ended up reconciling and all was well. lol

Thanks all,
Just curious.

 

[carrcomp]

I have no clue where to ask this question.

I've had at various times been asked by a "friend of a friend" to blow by passwords strictly because a couple got into a fight and one person changed the password of the other to lock him/her out of the computer.

I see where it's common for users to lock themselves out of the computer, but what do you all feel is the best ethical way of handling the proposed situation? I mean, there's no way of knowing the person's account is legit, it may be this person's attempt to actually lock the other one out of the computer. You see how this could be sticky.

Note: the two times I've been asked to do this the couple ended up reconciling and all was well. lol

Thanks all,
Just curious.

Here's my thing.

I'll ask them who the laptop belongs to.

If it belongs to the person in the shop, then I'll do it.

If it doesn't I won't.

 

[dgast]

Passwords

Although I have never run into the situation, IMHO I would do the following.

In a written document certify.
What the machine Make, Model and Serial # are.
That the machine belongs to the signed individual.
That the signed individual gives permission to bypass any passwords and why.
That the signed individual understands that it is illegal to break into a computer that does not belong to them.
That you as a business cannot be held responsible and that the individual will hold you as a person and a business and your heirs harmless.

If they sign it you should be in the clear. It will also put them on legal notice that what they are requesting could be illegal.

Don't forget to charge them for the service, it's worth a lot to them to get it done!

Good luck!

 

[Encrypted Existence]

Here's my thing.

I'll ask them who the laptop belongs to.

If it belongs to the person in the shop, then I'll do it.

If it doesn't I won't.

This^^^^. I presume that it wouldn't be legal to remove (or change) a password on a machine unless you have the owner's consent. With that said, how can you be 100% sure that the person who claims to be the owner actually owns the machine?