Re: File Transfer auto sign on -- MIDRANGE-L

On Mon, 16 Jun 1997 19:25:39 +0000, "Tom McArthur" <ThomasMcA@usa.net>
wrote:
>While I agree (wholeheartedly) with your NO PASSWORD CACHE sentiment, 
>(I disable it on all PCs that I setup) it can be used securely. You 
>just have to set up the PC properly. Once the PC is secured (see 
>below), an unauthorized user won't be able to get to the 400 through 
>the PC unless they know the right PC passwords AND an AS/400 password 
>(since re-booting the PC flushes the password cache).
>
>Steps to follow to secure a PC:
>
>1. There are quite a few shareware programs that password-secure a
>Win95 PC; get one & use it. THIS STEP IS CRITICAL, since the other
>steps only add to the security provided here.
>
>2. Assign a screen saver, then assign a password to it. Put a short 
>(1 minute?) time into it.
>
>3. Put it in the StartUp folder so it executes when Windoze starts 
>up (you'll have to add /S to the end of the line, like this: 
>SSMARQUE.SCR /S) 
>
>4. In your CMOS setup, disable bootup from drive A: 
>(so a hacker can't get into the PC w/ a bootable floppy).
>
>5. Also in the CMOS, assign a password to the PC. Sometimes there 
>are 2 passwords: one to change the CMOS settings, one to access the 
>PC. If your PC has both, then use both.

Will the IS department have access to the PC if needed when that
person isn't around? What happens when the user leaves? I know how to
disable/bypass the CMOS password, and Window screensaver passwords
aren't difficult to dispose of. I would hate to use such measures
routinely, because of the inconvenience.

My problem with this is support. Either the user must tell me the
password, or she must stay around while I work on the PC and type the
password as needed.

Ideally, passwords should be given, sealed, to the IS director or CFO.
Breaking the seal means changing the password, of course. A problem
with this is when people change their passwords w/o informing anyone.
Then the sealed envelope is useless.

Another problem is if the user forgets the password. (Oh, say he goes
on vacation for a couple of weeks, etc.)

In a perfect world, the CMOS boot password would be different from the
CMOS setup password, which would also be different from the Windows
screen saver password, etc. Forgetting any of these only adds to the
complications...

 - lg -
MIS manager
Las Vegas Casino
Greenville, MS

--
"Do you follow all their rules?" --Sydney
"Do you break them all?" --Morgan
lgoodbar@tecinfo.com  ICQ#504581  www.tecinfo.com/~lgoodbar/
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