Software to lock down a public PC.

[mtktech]

I'm looking for an inexpensive program to help limit the use of a public PC. I want more control then I am able to attain with policies in 2k/xp. If anyone has any experience or good articles I can read up on, please post them. The computers are running Windows 2000 and XP.

Thanks.

 

[Barnaby W. Füi]

The obvious answer to me is to not use windows. As long as people only have access to the keyboard/mouse, you can totally lock down a linux machine.

 

[mtktech]

But .. I'm using windows.

 

[BennyD]

you can't totally lock down windows

you can get pretty close with NT but no software can trap the ctrl alt del.

 

[mtktech]

There are a few programs out there that will disable the ctr/atl/del. I've seen these at universities and libraries.

 

[gentobu]

My school uses a program called Deep freeze. It allows the user to do pretty much anything to the computer (ie deleting the windows directory, destroying the registry, etc) and all you have to do is reboot, and the system will return to normal.

 

[Barnaby W. Füi]

Originally posted by: gentobu
My school uses a program called Deep freeze. It allows the user to do pretty much anything to the computer (ie deleting the windows directory, destroying the registry, etc) and all you have to do is reboot, and the system will return to normal.

Yeah I saw that loaded on a web kiosk at a local university. Kinda interesting.

 

[oog]

I'm pretty sure you can lock down a windows machine into a kiosk mode with built-in policies.

 

[Shagga]

BLASTER virus seemed to do the trick. Sorry about that, not helpful. I apologise. (BLASTER virus doesn't work on LINUX! )

 

[EagleKeeper]

Check with your local library. Many librarys have a configuration/SW that will only allow the browser, with no access to the right mouse click and minimal programms available for the average user. The programs that are available are restricted regarding file access.

 

[loup garou]

SiteKiosk is a great shell/security management system. $150 for the basic version though. Very easy to use!

 

[oog]

Really, Windows has everything you need to run in Kiosk mode. You can put IE in kiosk mode and in security policies, disable the ability for the user to shutdown or run any other program, including task manager, or even starting a new IE window.

 

[mtktech]

The deep freeze software is exactly what I was looking for. If it works like they explain it, it will be perfect. I'm starting to test it out now.

Thanks for all the info guys.

 

[JackBurton]

You can totally lock down a Windows machine. We have SEVERAL KIOSKs set up at work and Windows 2000 is locked down like a b!tch! You don't get to do anything I don't want you to do. All they have access to is IE and they can only navigate through our main page.

 

[paulpaul]

JackBurton said

You can totally lock down a Windows machine. We have SEVERAL KIOSKs set up at work and Windows 2000 is locked down like a b!tch! You don't get to do anything I don't want you to do. All they have access to is IE and they can only navigate through our main page.

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I'm having the same problem. Could you give me some details on how, or steer me in the right direction?

 

[NWRMidnight]

Originally posted by: BennyD
you can't totally lock down windows

you can get pretty close with NT but no software can trap the ctrl alt del.

That is incorrect, I used a program that set up the PC admin account for my son that would only allow him to play his games, and shut the computer down, he was not allowed to do anything else... The problem is I can't remember which program I used and what regestry settings I had to do manually... Let me do some research and I will see if I can figure it out.

Daniel