Restrict downloads in I.E.

>> would really like to stop the default user from being able to download from the web (some students come in and install stuff that we have to remove ...one just installed yahoo mail service - might have noted the warning about the new worm ....) Can this be done? <<

WinGuard Pro should do the trick... It comes in two versions; one free and the other premium. I'm pretty sure that you'd need the 'premium" to block software installations, but this security tool can do a lot more than that and it is far less bothersome and confusing than using the group policy thru gpedit; every time you want to block/unblock something.

I have the premium edition and it very configurable. Lots of options there which you can 'password' protect; like blocking boot-ups, adding your own programs or any 'defined window at all, to the "Allow List;" and nobody gets in without the correct password. Someone looks over your shoulder while you’re typing the password in? No problem, you can change it in a flash.

The freeware edition is available here at Major Geeks. It is actually quite functional and does not 'expire' but does not have as many options available as the premium does. I think it currently costs around $25 bucks for a single user; but it packs quite a bit of piece of mind (at least in my case) for that price. I've thoroughly tested the various versions which have come out since I first tried it and it is one of the few 3rd party apps that I simply installed and have had ZERO problems with.

Good Luck!

 

>> Computable ....tell me more ....assume if installed on the server should be able to block downloads by password protection? (Get nervous messing with the server, since I've inherited the postion here and no one knows swuat about the setup of anything ...so I'm stumbling in the dark, learning and trying not to mess anything up...) <<

Uhh... I got some heat recently for supposedly posting "outside" links or maybe it was "stop linking out for downloads and tutorials," or something like that.

But I guess it's safe to say that you can e-mail the developer with these questions; if you go to the MajorGeeks link that I posted previously and click on the "Author: WGSoft" link on that page. I haven't e-mailed him in ages (that's how good the program is) but I'm pretty sure the developers name is Paul Hull and he's pretty cool about promptly replying to specific questions and answering "What about this and that?" inquiries via e-mail.

Good Luck

 

Here’s Comp's "Duct Tape" solution you can use in the meantime (whatever you finally decide to do).
(1) Download the pop-up blocker NoAds from South Bay Software.
==(No link here at MG; at least none via MG search; Honest!)==

(2) Install NoAds and then...
(3) Set it in Options to "Load NoAds Every Time Windows Starts"
(4) Open every browser (individually, mind you).
(5) Open No Ads and Click: "Add to Targets."

After you have done that with all of your browsers; whenever anyone who tries to open any of them up them up; the browsers will close automatically! With no ‘notice’ whatsoever! They will just immediately close.

And… All you have to remember every time YOU want to open the browsers; simply right click on the NoAds system taskbar and un-check “Enable” and voila only you will have access! Works for programs, documents, whatever! Just remember to re-enable when you want to use them!

Of course you’ll have to get into the habit of remembering to ‘right click’ on NoAds and click the ‘Enable’ button every time you walk away from it and leave it running (or shut down for the day). But it is easy enough to remember and will become ‘habit’ in no time.

This isn't the 'perfect solution' of course; but it should offer some level of security until you take my advice buddy and download the FREE WindowsGuard Pro 2006 (from Major Geeks, of course) and then play around with it until your comfortable and fork over the 25 bucks to upgrade to premium!

I don't say this often about shareware programs but this is definitely one of the best investments I ever made in any computer 'security-related' software product.

NOTE: BTW I checked the "Author: WGSoft" link on that Major Geeks download page for WinGuard Pro and it is dead. It leads to: http://host333.ipowerweb.com/unavailbill.html which is a dead link.

Good Luck!