Administrator options in Win98

[Ladogaboy]

Is there any program for Win98 that can block programs from being added or installed? I'm trying to block IM programs from being loaded on a computer lab computer. What are my options?

Thanks in advance.

[caribiner23]

I did a search on www.deja.com (okay, okay, it's really groups.google.com but old habits die hard) for securing a Win98 machine, and I found this (http://groups.google.com/groups?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&safe=off&selm=37C0AC1D.222B%40flash.net).

I've never tried it, so use it at your own risk.

[Ladogaboy]

:hmm: Are you sure that there isn't an easier way to just block specific programs? I mean, these people aren't exactly power users... :disa:

[Jeffbx]

Originally posted by Ladogaboy
:hmm: Are you sure that there isn't an easier way to just block specific programs? I mean, these people aren't exactly power users... :disa:

Unfortunately no, unless you upgrade to W2K or XP. 98 was never intended to be a secure OS, so Poledit.exe was thrown in as an afterthought to cover the major issues such as your situation.

Are you trying to prevent IM conversations? If so, you're better off blocking IM traffic at your firewall.

[OC]

Originally posted by Jeffbx
Unfortunately no, unless you upgrade to W2K or XP. 98 was never intended to be a secure OS, so Poledit.exe was thrown in as an afterthought to cover the major issues such as your situation.

Are you trying to prevent IM conversations? If so, you're better off blocking IM traffic at your firewall. Wow, someone else that knows how to use "you're" correctly... ;) That's what, three? :hihi:

Anyway - 98 is not secure at all. For example, all a malicious user has to do to bypass the machine password is delete a completely unprotected PWL file.

My suggestion: Commence lamp rubbing. :)

-OC

[Ladogaboy]

Hmmm... well, like I said, these guys aren't exactly power users...

But anyway, it would be worth it to upgrade IMO, but with the library getting a 7% budget cut, that's not likely to happen. I also don't want to waste my time, because I personally don't care whether people come in and use the computers to chat or not--they are limited to 30 minutes at a time anyway. The rest of the public access computers are secure and running on Win2k.

This might also make a difference: there is already a security protocol in place for this Win98 machine. When it is set up for the public, the Start button is no longer accessible, as well as the right-click function on the mouse being disabled, and My Computer cannot be opened. So, they do loose access to most of the system, but that doesn't keep them installing the programs. :rolleyes:

I was just hoping that there was a way to block new programs from writing to the registry or something.

[Jeffbx]

Originally posted by overclocked
Wow, someone else that knows how to use "you're" correctly... ;) That's what, three? :hihi:


Aw geez, I've done it now.... will I be recruited into the forces of the 'typo police'?

[caribiner23]

will I be recruited into the forces of the 'typo police'?

Only if you abstain from using the non-word "alot" and can tell the difference between "their," "there," and "they're."

:D

[Ladogaboy]

Originally posted by caribiner23


Only if you abstain from using the non-word "alot" and can tell the difference between "their," "there," and "they're."

:D

That, and you must remember your, you're, and yore. Oh, and its vs it's. Oh, and the proper use of diphthongs. Oh, and to, two, and too... and don't forget here and hear, and, and, and... :P

[Jeffbx]

I know how to spell 'guarantee' and 'warranty'...

[caribiner23]

'guarantee'... 'warranty'....

:confused:

Ohhhhhh, you mean those things I void every time I get my screwdrivers out!

:cool:

[gwilks98]

This thread got me thinking: Can you set IE settings so that AIM express (no install needed-all javascript) will not work?

[rajatQ2]

hey wilks,
yeah, you can turn off all of the java applications that ie can run! Thats the only way that i can think of.
or block aim.com through your firewall.