Computer
Security Programs for Windows
by Leithauser
Research
Leithauser Research provides a variety of computer security programs. Most of these are designed to help you control who has access to your computer, what programs they can run, 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 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 on Internet Password Lock, 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.
Web Site Zapper
Web Site Zapper is a
Windows 95/98/2000/ME/XP/Vista 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.
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.
Settings Lock
Settings Lock is a software program for Windows computers that allows you to password protect 13 Windows settings and functions. These settings are:
The computer clock time and date
System Restore
Video display properties, such as wallpaper and screen saver (called Display Personalization in Vista)
Internet Options
Add/Remove Programs (called Programs and Features in Vista)
User Accounts
Windows Security Center
System Properties
Add Hardware Wizard
Network Connects and Setup Wizard (called Network and Sharing Center in Vista)
Properties of individual files (such as read-only)
Task Manager
Windows Explorer and My Computer folder options
Settings Lock protects these functions by blocking the Windows programs that allow you to access them. For example, if you password protect the System Restore, Settings Lock will not allow the System Restore program to run until you deactivate the Settings Lock protection. There is a button on the Settings Lock control panel that allows you to temporarily turn off all protections, provided you know the supervisor or administrator password. You an also permanently turn of any one or more of the protections if you know the administrator password. For more information on Settings Lock, click here.
Computer Payment Enforcer
Computer Payment Enforcer is a computer program that helps you to collect payments for computers that you have sold on credit or are renting out. Installed on a computer you are selling or leasing, it will lock down the computer when payments are overdue. In order to unlock the computer, the person must input a payment code, which you supply once they have made their payment. For more information, click here.
Program Sentry
Program Sentry is a
less intrusive (although somewhat less thorough) alternative to Program
Selector Pro. This Windows (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.
Web Surfer Watcher
Web Surfer
Watcher is a software program for Windows 95/98/Me/2000/XP (does not
work on NT computers) that records what Web sites have been viewed on
your computer. Web Surfer Watcher operates hidden in the background,
recording Web site titles and URLs (addresses) of Web sites viewed
using Internet Explorer or America Online. It can only record the
titles of Web sites viewed with other Web browsers, such as Netscape,
Opera, or Mozilla. You can configure Web Surfer Watcher to either
record this limited information form these browsers, or block these
browsers from running to force people to use Internet Explorer or
America Online.
When you run the viewer, you will see a
list of the titles of Web sites that have been visited. The list
displays the Web site titles. You can click on any title on the list to
see the URL of the site, and also when the site was viewed. You can
then click on the View Web Site button to actually see the Web site if
you like. You can search the list of viewed sites for specific words to
simplify checking for objectionable sites. This program can easily be
run on a network, allowing you to monitor Internet activity on multiple
computers from one computer. For more information on Web Surfer
Watcher, click
here.
Computer Use Reporter
Find out what your
employees or children are doing on the computer. Computer Use Reporter
covertly monitors what programs are used on the computer, what files or
Web sites these programs access, when they are accessed, and which user
is on the computer at the time.
This program can easily be run on a network,
allowing you to monitor Internet activity on multiple computers from
one computer. For more information on Computer Use Reporter, click
here.
Autobackup
AutoBackup allows you to easily back up critical files. It is particularly useful if you have a specific set of files you need to back up frequently, although it can also perform more general backups. It is also useful if you simply want to routinely copy certain files to a floppy for transport to another computer. You can input a specific list of files that you want to back up. This list can also include general file masks, such as C:\My Documents\*.* (all files in the "My Documents" folder), when you want to backup up an entire group of files. Once you have input this list of files and/or file masks, you can easily make backup copies of all these files at the click of a mouse button. You can even tell AutoBackup to automatically back up all your critical files when you exit Windows (hence the name AutoBackup). Although AutoBackup is particularly useful if you have a specific group of files that need to be backed up regularly, it can also be used as a general backup program. You can tell AutoBackup to simply back up all the files on any drives you select that have changed today, or since any other date you select. Click here for more information on AutoBackup.
If you have any questions, please send email to [email protected]. You can also call (386) 410-6769 between the hours of 11 AM and 5 PM Eastern time.
If you prefer to write, the address is
Leithauser Research
821 SnapDragon Drive
New Smyrna Beach, FL 32168
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