Can a hacker steal your passwords saved in "AutoComplete" in Windows?
 

If someone were to hack your computer and be able to download any file he/she wanted to. Could he/she steal your passwords that are saved in "AutoComplete" in Windows???

In other words, should I not use AutoComplete to save my passwords?

I know there's programs that can display the saved AutoComplete passwords ...

Then it is probably possible. You would the the file is encrypted someone, but if the hacker has access to your computer, that does not mean so much anymore.

actually your autocomplete passwords are encrypted,however,if you're using ie it will be open in the cache,so the encryption is pretty much useless.if you're worried about a backdoor on your computer you might want to try www.zonealarm.com and/or www.symantec.com scan yourself and do a security check for (common)open ports.

...then what is the point of AutoComplete if I am not using it in IE?

I have port blocking programs on my computer, but I just want to know what would happen if someone got past it.

The encryption used for passwords in windows/ie is a joke

What I thought.

Subseven will take the passwords from auto complete I believe.

Question;
Can a hacker steal (fill in anyhting u want) in Windows?
Answer:
Probably

To keep this from happening, follow these simple instructions:

1. Reboot, to a DOS prompt.
2. Type the following command:
format C:
3. Press ENTER.

Then reboot your computer. This will keep anyone from being able to hack your computer.

Why bother to risk it..?
Is the computer the only way to save things anymore?
Take a few minutes to pick up a pen.. and do this:
[sponsor - password]
[sponsor - password]
yada yada..

then no more worries.. no more risk.. and you won't forget how to write...

Autocomplete-anything just breeds laziness... don't get caught up in too much automation.. you'll lose sight of yourself..

Writing down passwords isn't such a good idea unless you keep your passwords in a safe place. You'd be surprised how many people write their passwords down on post-it notes and stick them on their monitor. Gee whiz, that's safe and secure.

a good hacker can steal any and every thing on your computer, they can record your keystrokes (so they got's your passwrods.... and sooooooo soooooooo much more. if a good 1 targets you..... you are screwed.... shit Nasa, DOD, Yahoo, Citibank, you name the company... they have been hacked and will be again... Most you don't read about.. Banks won't make it pubilc ever again after the Citibank thing'e some years ago.

True; good advice.

Now does clearing the AutoComplete passwords ACTUALLY clear it?

Yeah, once they do this, they have everything. But I want to be the most protected from hack attempts that do not do this. So using AutoComplete is still a no-no.

If Microsoft is the question, then the answer is NO! :)

like jimmyf said; a real hacker can hack everything so i don't even try to keep my computer safe... simply cause i know it isn't possible

I have had a program that extracts passwords stored by autocomplete once. Works very well.