datta@vacs.uwp.wisc.edu (David Datta) (09/21/89)
I am in the position of putting a machine with a hard disk out in a public area. We do not want to give most people access to the hard disk. Previously, to keep users from using hard disks, the folks here just made sure that the hard drive used DOS 3.3 and the only floppy versions they made available to others were DOS 2.10. I do not feel this is a good way of accomplishing the task. I am looking for a way to lock out a hard disk to prevent any unauthorized access through software or hardware. The software needs to be able to prevent someone from just coming in and booting up on a floppy version of DOS and then letting them have access. Are there any such packages, available commercial or otherwise? The hardware is a Flashcard 20Mb, I don't think there is a way to put a hardware switch on it but this is an option if it is possible. Thanks for any help in advance. -- -Dave datta@vacs.uwp.wisc.edu
kevin@msa3b.UUCP (Kevin P. Kleinfelter) (09/22/89)
datta@vacs.uwp.wisc.edu (David Datta) writes: >I am in the position of putting a machine with a hard disk out in a >public area. We do not want to give most people access to the hard >disk. ... >I am looking for a way to lock out a hard disk to prevent any >unauthorized access through software or hardware. ... >The hardware is a Flashcard 20Mb, I don't think there is a way to put a >hardware switch on it but this is an option if it is possible. Since you have a hard disk card, perhaps you could put in ANOTHER hard disk controller, and set it up to CONFLICT with the addresses used by your hardcard. Then put in a switch to enable/disable it (or remap its addresses). -- Kevin Kleinfelter @ Management Science America, Inc (404) 239-2347 gatech!nanovx!msa3b!kevin
gert@targon.UUCP (Gert Kanis) (09/28/89)
In article <148@uwm.edu> datta@vacs.uwp.wisc.edu (David Datta) writes: >I am in the position of putting a machine with a hard disk out in a >public area. We do not want to give most people access to the hard >disk. > >The software needs to be able to prevent someone from just coming in >and booting up on a floppy version of DOS and then letting them have >access. >-- >-Dave datta@vacs.uwp.wisc.edu If you change your floppy station so it would be drive B: in stead of A: people could only boot from harddisk. DOS would look for (a floppy in) A: not find one and go on with C: . When the PC crashes sometime you have to take the trouble to change the hardware again to make your floppy drive A: so you can boot from it. BTW: It would be safer to take out your floppy station completely :-) +-----------------------------------------------------------------+ | No more jokes they | Gert Kanis, SWP | | take to much space. | Nixdorf Computer BV, Postbus 29 | |----------------------| 4130 EA Vianen, Netherlands. | | I do not represent | E-mail : targon!gert@nluug.nl | | anyone elses opinion.| or ..uunet!mcsun!hp4nl!targon!gert | +-----------------------------------------------------------------+
waldref@videovax.tv.Tek.com (Greg Waldref) (10/01/89)
In article <635@targon.UUCP> gert@targon.UUCP (Gert Kanis) writes: >In article <148@uwm.edu> datta@vacs.uwp.wisc.edu (David Datta) writes: >>I am in the position of putting a machine with a hard disk out in a >>public area. We do not want to give most people access to the hard >>disk. >> >>The software needs to be able to prevent someone from just coming in >>and booting up on a floppy version of DOS and then letting them have >>access. >>-- >>-Dave datta@vacs.uwp.wisc.edu > The solution that you are looking for is: PC-Lock which can be had from Johnson Computer Systems, 20 Dinwiddie Place, Newport News, VA 23602. It will do all you ask and alot more. It is about $30-$50 as I remember. If someone does not have the password they can forget about getting at the hard drive even if they pop the cover. greg waldref@videovax.tv.tek.com
tdrinkar@cosmos.acs.calpoly.edu (Terrell Drinkard) (10/05/89)
Another solution to the 'hard-disk with sensitive information in a public access area' is to use removable hard-drives such as the Tandon Ad-PAC. Available in 20, 30, and 40 Mb (soon to have 80's and 100's last I heard). The drive is removed at the end of the work period and stored in a vault. Lets face it, if someone wants the data off of your hard-disk, and they have unsupervised and uninterupted access to the machine, that data is as good as gone. If I can do, someone else can, too. Terry Disclaimer: I used to work for Tandon, and other drive manufacturers do indeed make equivalent products, but I am more familiar with the Tandon product line. I am also a satisfied user.