Software to secure a Win 98 system

I am not familiar with any of the programs we have listed here that do what I need so I'm turning to you folks for guidance. Hopefully, someone has used or is familiar with programs like Window Security Toolkit 5.1.1985 or WinGuard Pro 2006 6.2.6 for example and can offer some good sound advice. I know there are more such programs but these are two I have been looking at so far. All suggestions welcome!

Long story short. Small local mom & pop business running systems with Win98 (not SE) and I do their puter work for them. Really nice people but their interview skills must really stink b/c they keep hiring and then firing clerical people that I'm to much of a lady to describe.

What I need is a program that will allow internet access (general browsing & business email), block the install AND un-install of any programs unless authorized by a password. Block changes to the browser re: tool bars & general settings...actually, block ANY system changes without authorization. Block the deletion of folders, images, etc. Block the manual shutting down/disabling of AV, firewall & other malware programs I have on there. This one may be tricky but also block games and other things that tend to be malicious and unnecessary like screen savers (this has been a problem too!) that are downloaded in zip form, extracted then you just run the exe to play/initiate the screen saver. I say it's tricky because the business deals with large scale graphics and many customers email them in zip form so zip's themselves can't be blocked nor can exe's be blocked as a whole for obvious reasons....hrmmm...but I wonder if it's possible to block 'new' exe's that haven't been approved?

I'm sure there is more but this is all I can think of off the top of my head.

In a nut shell. I need the computer secured so that the only thing the 'clerical person' can do is her job (book keeping, printing, business email, OE & web based) and have her blocked from doing anything else..including putting pRonographic images on the desktop.

TIA!

 

Don't know much about the two programs you mentioned Abby except that Winguard appears to require Windows XP.

Thing is about Windows 98FE is that it was really designed to be a single PC single Person OS. Sure you can hide some of the control panel applets (using TweakUI for example) and other tricks like that but because it is in reality a DOS based system then it isn't that difficult to get round any of the so called security.

It really does depend on how computer savvy the user is on how much use any security in Win98FE would be.

 

Wow, AbbySue; that's a tall order.

What you are trying to do with 98 is tough, you could do it with the System Policy Editor and Group Policies.

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/archive/win98/reskit/part2/wrkc08.mspx?mfr=true

You'd need the Windows 98 Resource Kit to get the System Policy Editor. I think I may have that around here at home some where.

Unless you are really familiar with the Registry and Policies, it would be a challenge. The Windows Security Toolkit looks like it would do exactly what you want. Reasonable price.

 

Abby, maybe at the same time, see if you can pick up a legal copy of W98SE. W98Se also provides USB support (with appropriate driver) as you would know.

Maybe some MG 'er could donate a legal copy. Bazza