Computer Access Control Programs for
Windows
by Leithauser
Research
Leithauser Research provides a variety of computer programs that allow you to control access to your computer. These help you control what programs people can run on your computer, and what Web sites they can visit. All of these programs are distributed as shareware, which means that you can try them for 30 days for free before you pay for them. Below is a list of programs.
Internet Password Lock
Internet Password Lock is a Windows 2000/XP (does not work on 95/98/Me/NT) Internet security program that locks all Internet access (Web, email, Instant Messaging, etc.). Useful in for parents to protect their children by controlling their Internet access and business to control Internet use. For more information, click here .
Drive Blocker
Drive Blocker is a software program for Windows XP computers (does not work on Windows 95/98/Me/2000/NT) that allows your computer to block access to removable drives to prevent people from using any removable drives or media, such as flash drives (sometimes called thumb drives), CD's, or floppy drives on your computer. A password (selected by you when you install Drive Blocker) is required in order to reactivate the removable drives. This allows you to prevent theft of sensitive information from your conmputers and also to prevent employees from installin unauthorzed software on company computers. Click here for more information on Drive Blocker.
Program Selector Pro
Program Selector Pro is a computer security program that provides access control and usage management. When installed, it replaces the standard Windows 95/98/2000/NT/XP/ME user interface (task bar, Start button, and icons) with a convenient user configurable list box of program names. The person who installs Program Selector Pro decides which programs to include in the list box, giving this person complete control over which programs can be run on that computer. In addition, each program on the list can be password protected, and a password can also be assigned to access Windows itself. A supervisor level password is required to add programs to (or remove programs from) the program list box. An administrative level password is required to restore the original Windows interface. This provides the person who installs Program Selector Pro with the ability to completely control the use of a computer. This program is most useful in a business setting, where the supervisor needs the ability to control who can do what on each company computer. It can also be useful in a family setting, however, to give parents control of the computer to block children from using certain programs. Virus protection and a program uninstall feature are also provided by Program Selector Pro. Click here for more information on Program Selector Pro.
Program Sentry
Program Sentry is a less intrusive (although somewhat less
thorough) alternative to Program Slectgor Pro. This Windows 95/98/Me/2000/XP
(does not work on NT computers) computer security program that provides access
control and usage management. When installed, it allows you to either create
a list of blocked programs or a list of allowed programs. In the blocked
programs mode, any program on the list is blocked. In the allowed program
mode, any program NOT on the list is blocked. Which mode you choose to use
depends on whether you have a few programs you want to block (in which case
you would use the blocked program mode), or you have a few programs you want
to allow people to use (in which case you would use the allowed program
mode).
In both modes, you can assign optional passwords to the
programs on the list. In blocked program mode, if no password is assigned
to a program, it cannot be individually unblocked. If a password is assigned
to a blocked program, it can be unblocked using the password. In the allowed
program mode, if no password is assigned to the program, it is never blocked.
If a password is assigned to the program, it is blocked until someone enters
the password for that program. passwords are useful if several people use
the computer, and you want each to be allowed to use different programs.
You can give each person the passwords to the programs they are allowed to
use.
An administrator password is required to add or remove programs
from the lists or change their passwords. This provides the person who installs
Program Sentry with the ability to completely control the use of a computer.
All blocking can be temporarily turned off using supervisor level password.
This password cannot be used to add programs to (or remove programs from)
the program lists.
This program is most useful in a business setting, where
the supervisor needs the ability to control who can do what
on each company computer. It can also be useful in a family setting, however,
to give parents control of the computer to block children from using certain
programs. Click here for more information on Program
Sentry.
Software Time Lock
Allows you to block access to the Web, individual programs, or the entire computer during selected time periods for each day of the week. Also allows you to control for how long the Internet, individual programs, or the computer itself can be used in total for each day of the week. For more information, click here.
Web Padlock
Web Padlock is a Windows 95/98/Me/2000/XP (does not work on
NT computers) program that provides access control and usage management over
your computer's Web browser. This gives you control over what Web pages
can be viewed on your computer. Once installed, Web Padlock blocks other
Web browsers (like Internet Explorer, Netscape, or America Online) from running.
This leaves Web Padlock as the only available Web browser. In order to view
any Web page on Web Padlock when Web Padlock is in the locked mode, that
Web page must have been added to the authorized Web page list. A user selected
password is required to add Web pages to this list. This provides the
person who installs Web Padlock with the ability to completely control access
to the Internet on that computer. This program is most useful in a business
setting, where the supervisor needs the ability to control
what Web sites employees can visit. It can also be useful in a family setting,
however, to give parents control of the computer to block children from viewing
certain sites.
Web Padlock can be unlocked using the password to allow free
Web surfing using Web Padlock. The password can also be used to turn off
the blocking of other Web browsers, like Internet Explorer. In this way,
Web Padlock can be used not only to control what sites are visited, but when
the Web can be accessed. If you decide that you do not want to use Web Padlock
at all, it can easily be uninstalled using the password.
Click here for more information on Web Padlock.
Web Site Zapper
Web Site Zapper is a Windows 95/98/2000/ME/XP software program
(does not work on NT) that closes Web browsers that are displaying undesirable
Web sites. It can be used for several purposes: 1) Blocking your browser
from being redirected to dangerous or undesirable sites, such as those infected
with viruses.
2) Blocking popups
3) Access control, to allow parents, schools, and employers to prevent children,
students, or employees from going to undesirable sites, such as pornography
or gambling sites.
4) Controlling when people can access the Internet. Web Site Zapper has a
password protected switch to turn off blocking, so you simply have Web Site
Zapper block all Web sites until you are present and can turn off the blocking.
Parents can use this to control how much time children spend on the Internet.
With Web Site Zapper, you compile a list of good and bad Web
site titles and/or URLs (Web addresses). You can add Web site titles and
URLs to these lists manually, or have Web Site Zapper build these lists
automatically in learning mode (explained in the instruction manual).
Once you have built a list of Web sites, Web Site Zapper can
either close down any site on the bad site list (Block mode), or close down
any site NOT on the good site list (Allow mode). Web Site Zapper provides
the same function as Web Padlock, but operates differently. It has some
advantages and some disadvantages. We suggest that you try both, and see
which one best suits your needs. For more information on Web Site Zapper
and to download a trial copy, click here.
Computer Rental Controller
Computer Rental Controller is a Windows program that allows you to easily rent or sell computer time on your computer. It generates a list of passwords, each of which can be used only once and allows access to the computer for a period of time selected by you. Set up your own Internet Café or computer kiosk. For more information on Computer Rental Controller, click here.
Clock Guard
Clock Guard is a Windows program that prevents tampering
with the computer clock. It can be used for various purposes. A few examples
are:
1) Preventing files from being given falsified time/date stamps by manually
resetting the system clock and then saving the file.
2) Prevent employees who are using a computer-based time clock from altering
the time to allow themselves to "punch in" at a falsified time.
3) Prevent users who have time limited programs (programs that can only be
used at certain times) from accessing these programs at improper times.
4) Prevent people who are paying for computer use on a time basis from resetting
the clock to reduce the amount of time they pay for.
5) Prevent people who are restricted to a certain amount of computer time
per day (usually children) from resetting the computer clock to give themselves
more time.
Unlike other clock control programs, Clock Guard does
not require an Internet connection. It does not automatically set the computer
clock to the correct time by dialing up an atomic clock somewhere. It works
by preventing sudden changes in the computer clock. You can deactivate clock
protection with the password you select when you install it. This allows
you to set the clock if it becomes wrong. Click here
for more information on Clock Guard.
If you have any questions, please send email to Leithauser@aol.com. You can also call (386) 738-0418 between the hours of 11 AM and 5 PM Eastern time.
If you prefer to write, the address is
Leithauser Research
3624 Royal Fern Circle
DeLand, FL 32724-1223
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Hits since 6/11/2004