Offering secure public Internet access is not as easy as it may seem. As the IT manager for a mid-sized public library, it's become apparent to me that creating a secure network of library workstations for use by the public is more important than ever before. System administrators have the responsibility of protecting the library's networks and systems, while ensuring quality and speedy service to all patrons. Offering public Internet access requires a dynamic security plan that is constantly under revision, taking into account the technical changes of the times. Traditionally, the software options available for help in this regard come at a significant price, often forcing libraries to spend thousands of dollars securing their computer rooms.
Sold per module or license, many of these software solutions offer a variety of features, but often fall short of actually securing the workstation. Plagued with stability issues, it's not uncommon for many of these security solutions to crash and leave an administrative-level desktop open for public use. After test-driving a seemingly endless amount of pro-active protection software packages, the PC's I administrate were still accumulating spy ware, browser hijacks, and tracking cookies on a daily basis. That is, until I came across the completely free software solution that actually does what others claim to -- tightly secure any and every Windows 2000/XP Pro workstation.
The Public Access Computer Security Tool is a complete software security system designed by, and offered freely through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Designed for any public access computer that runs Windows 2000 or Windows XP Professional, it helps keep workstations secure by restricting public access to the machine, and creating customizable profile environments to meet patron needs, without compromising the ever-important administrative access to the terminal.
So how does the Public Access Computer Security Tool work? By utilizing three separate layers of pro-active security restrictions (system restrictions, profiles, and profile restrictions), patron access is limited to a desktop completely configurable by the Administrator, and locked down at the policy level. This results in a computer environment that performs flawlessly, despite the "heavy use" factor that's become synonymous with the public access computing world.
After installing and configuring the Public Access Computer Security Tool on our library's ten public access Internet machines, the days of spy ware, instant messengers, and search bars are now behind us. I'm confident our public access terminals are now properly secure. Stability is not an issue any more; the operating system itself is reconfigured to disable access to sensitive parts of the machine. There's absolutely no way for patrons to intentionally or accidentally disrupt the functioning of the computer, as they are limited to the software we've given them access to.
Best of all, libraries on the tightest of budgets can use the Public Access Computer Security Tool for every public access terminal in the building, and not owe a single dollar. The software is completely free and requires no license/registrations. As an IT administrator, if you're shopping around for public access solutions, I suggest you check out the Public Access Computer Security Tool. Further information and links to downloading the tool at available at: http://www.pacomputing.org/PACTool/pactoolhome.aspx.
Jim Frank is the Head of Computer Services for the Berwyn Public Library. He can be reached by emailing jiminberwyn@gmail.com. A support forum for the Public Access Security Tool can be found by visiting http://www.securepc.org. (NOTE TO EDITORS: This article may be edited for publication in your newsletter or on your website, but must include the author's name, and the title of the article.)
Ebooks, Scripts,
Websites, and more... There is a great need for preventive maintenance in correctional... Read More Nvidia has done it again, with it's newest video card,... Read More The average home computer user definitely does not need a... Read More When you're studying for your CCNA exams, you're going to... Read More Notebook computers are becoming very popular. They seem to be... Read More Whenever there is a complaint about monitor contrast problem I... Read More When purchasing a flat panel TV, there are a few... Read More The Celeron and Pentium Processors are two of Intel's best... Read More Blu-ray is an optical disc format which is set to... Read More A revolution in learning technology has taken place. Actually, it... Read More Data Centers are the core of the Internet. The computer... Read More If you are running out of space on your computer... Read More We've all been there. You're in the middle of printing... Read More Plug and play equipment or hardware solves the problem of... Read More Protecting Against A Power Surge:Your computer is an expensive investment;... Read More If you are like most student's, money isn't exactly growing... Read More Now you can more easily access the Internet wherever mobile... Read More What is so important about cables anyway?One of the most... Read More Q : What is over clocking?Overclocking is when you make... Read More I came across quite a number of questions about electronic... Read More Samsung laser toner is just as popular as its Hewlett-Packard... Read More All in one printers, also known as multifunction printers (MFPs),... Read More A recent Tech Tip covered the basics of selecting a... Read More You really enjoy those dvd movies and games and the... Read More A Good Notebook BagForget those that are bundled with your... Read More
Adsense
websites
Correctional Institution Preventive Maintenance Software
Nvidia Geforce 7800 GTX Review
Is A Laser Printer Right For Me?
Cisco CCNA Certification: An Illustrated Guide To Ethernet CSMA/CD
10 Solid Reasons To Make Your Next PC A Notebook
Flyback Transformer-How to Locate the ABL Line
How to Purchase a Flat Panel TV
Intel Celeron vs Pentium
Blu-ray: A Primer
Portable MP3 Player Based Education
Top Three Factors to Consider While Choosing a Data Center for Your Business
How to Choose a New Hard Drive for Your Computer
Your Printer Is Out Of Ink -- Now What?
Easy to Execute!
Protecting Your Computer From Power Surges, Data Loss, Viruses, And Spyware
How To Buy The Perfect Student Laptop
JunxionBox -- WiFi Access Everywhere
A Technical Introduction to Audio Cables
What is Over-clocking a Processor?
Electronic Schematics Diagram-The Four Commonly Asked Questions
A Review of Samsung Laser Toners
All In One Printers ? Home Office Workhorses
Motherboard Basics
How To Troubleshoot DVD Drives Fast
Two Essential Accessories For Notebook Computers
Years ago computers were huge and their accompanying printers were... Read More
There is a great need for preventive maintenance in correctional... Read More
Have you noticed that laptop computers are beginning to dictate... Read More
Why are there faint areas or gaps in my print... Read More
When purchasing a flat panel TV, there are a few... Read More
We live in an area that has begun to... Read More
Many technicians are confused on how to really read a... Read More
IBM boasts a very large array of older and newer... Read More
A surge protector [AKA surge suppressor] is an electrical plug-in... Read More
Perhaps the biggest mistake people make when building their computer(s)... Read More
The last article I mentioned about electrolytic capacitor breakdown when... Read More
You can purchase an inkjet printer for as little as... Read More
Cheap laptop computers are coming to a store near you.... Read More
A Good Notebook BagForget those that are bundled with your... Read More
PCIThe expansion slots available on motherboards allow for a variety... Read More
It's no big secret that printer companies like HP and... Read More
This is the first article in the Understanding Your Computer... Read More
I came across quite a number of questions about electronic... Read More
Printers are on-line devices initially categorised as being either impact... Read More
Data Centers are the core of the Internet. The computer... Read More
If you have not seen the newest addition to the... Read More
Blu-ray is an optical disc format which is set to... Read More
Cleaning a laser printer, fax, or copier of laser toner... Read More
Nothing is completely safe today. Adobe has recently released a... Read More
If you've been looking to upgrade your computer video card... Read More
Computer Hardware |