No Access Success

Caller: “I’d like to remove a [X] folder from my computer.”

[X] is a ubiquitous term that could refer to a domain, a rarely-noticed folder, or even a network connection, so I am rightly confused. Additionally, even though people frequently want access ADDED, they don’t generally want it REMOVED, though I know I CAN do it if there are errors in the connection.

Me: “Okay, I need to get access to your computer.”

He lets me in and I look at the folder he wants access removed for. It’s the rarely-noticed common folder that’s present on every computer, even mine. I try the methods for removing the drives I know, and as I suspected, they don’t work on the folder.

Me: “Sir, I can’t remove access to these.”

Caller: “But someone’s going to be logging onto my computer with my access card and password, and I don’t want them to have access to folders they aren’t supposed to.”

Me: *Incredulous* “You’re going to let someone else log into your computer. With your access card. And your password?”

Caller: “Yes.”

Me: “Why?”

Caller: “He’s my manager and he has to get access to certain folders I have access to. But I don’t want him to have access to everything I have access to.”

Me: “Sir, if he’s using your access card and your password on your computer, he’s going to have access to everything you do, sir.”

Caller: “But I don’t want him to have access to the folders that he’s not supposed to.”

Me: “Well, he should probably request access to the folders.”

Caller: “But that would take too long. I just want to remove access for a little bit, so he can do what he needs to do tonight and not have to request access.”

Me: “Then he will have access to everything you have access to.”

Caller: “Oh. Okay, I guess.”

This story is part of our Password roundup!

Read the next Password roundup story!

Read the Password roundup!