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.)
In the past computers and their accompanying printers were huge.... Read More
Testing diodes is different from testing a resistor because you... Read More
The average home computer user definitely does not need a... Read More
You may ask, isn't tape an anachronism in the age... Read More
Looking for a real bargain on laptop batteries? How do... Read More
The data on your hard drive is the most critical... Read More
We all know that we should back up our system... Read More
When Quality is the Target, but not the Result, what... Read More
We all know that computers change more then any other... Read More
Q : What is over clocking?Overclocking is when you make... Read More
Brother is right up there with HP and Samsung as... Read More
I came across quite a number of questions about electronic... Read More
There is a great need for preventive maintenance in correctional... Read More
Surge Suppressors ? A First Line of DefenseAll home theater... Read More
Before you upgrade your PC hardware it's best to search... Read More
The Inkjet printer industry is booming. Office supply companies report... Read More
Well, we've all seen the advert, but that's not what... Read More
Should you buy an extended warranty with your laptop? You... Read More
The Pocket DVD Wizard allows you to make backup copies... Read More
Compatible Laser Toner CartridgesRecently, there has been a huge legal... Read More
Have you ever encountered before the problem of having multiple... Read More
A recent Tech Tip covered the basics of selecting a... Read More
The power coming into a computer is the most critical... Read More
Getting a new PC is exciting and a pain. It's... Read More
Now you can more easily access the Internet wherever mobile... Read More
Let's take a moment to think about the topic of... Read More
Offering secure public Internet access is not as easy as... Read More
Whether you are crunching figures at a front office job... Read More
Moving the office network? How hard could it be? Anybody... Read More
It is a given fact that buying wholesale would make... Read More
When bought personal DVD player, the very next thing to... Read More
Hard Drives: ATA versus SATAThe performance of computer systems has... Read More
Most HP and Epson printers are drop on demand printers.... Read More
You just poured hours upon hours into a lengthy research... Read More
There is something good about esr meter because besides electrolytic... Read More
It is true. You can save a lot of time... Read More
Nowadays, more and more monitor comes in with flyback transformers... Read More
All in one printers, also known as multifunction printers (MFPs),... Read More
Today, small form factor computers demolish the myth that bigger... Read More
As 2005 begins, there are a number of products on... Read More
It is a given fact that buying wholesale would make... Read More
Science-Fiction meets reality with this new video display technology.The Heliodisplay... Read More
A revolution in learning technology has taken place. Actually, it... Read More
CD ROMS - If you're adding or removing an internal... Read More
Data loss is an expensive reality. It's a hard fact... Read More
If you are tight on budget, go for Inkjet Printer.... Read More
From throwing our unnecessary files, to defragmenting, from partitions to... Read More
Do you feel overwhelmed when buying a computer or a... Read More
Moving the office network? How hard could it be? Anybody... Read More
Offering secure public Internet access is not as easy as... Read More
We live in an area that has begun to... Read More
PC cooling systems are one of the hottest - and... Read More
Digital voice recorders have become increasingly popular over the last... Read More
The process of adding USB 2.0 ports took no time... Read More
Things to Consider When Choosing a Computer CaseIn the past,... Read More
With all the wheeling and dealing that seems to take... Read More
The ability to easily move data from PC to PC... Read More
We all know that we should back up our system... Read More
Roll over lumbering desktop computers, the limber laptop is here,... Read More
There are many different names for these drives, just so... Read More
So you know a little bit about tape backup, but... Read More
1) Mechanical: This is a type of computer mouse that... Read More
When purchasing a flat panel TV, there are a few... Read More
Let's take a moment to think about the topic of... Read More
Inkjet printers were born in the 1980s, replacing the popular... Read More
The last article I mentioned about electrolytic capacitor breakdown when... Read More
Computer Hardware |