Password-protecting files. New ubuntu feature?

[Lee Braiden]

On Saturday 12 November 2005 18:44, Wade Smart wrote:
> Im not sure to what length they require. I just know the school is about
> to spend a LOT of money on new licenses and that that is not the only
> answer. This is just my guess but Im thinking they want some type of
> file security on each computer incase they (office staff) walk off and a
> student sits at the desk.

The easiest solution for that is to simply have them log out, or use a 
screensaver that locks the screen and makes them give their password to use 
it again.  KDE's fast user switching might be useful, too.

> They might surf online and look at something 
> but things such as pre-made forms and what-not will not be accessible to
> them. Im just guessing. I dont have control of their IT setup but - I
> know it stinks. I am pushing strong for a change though.

Just giving students a separate account would solve that, though.  By locking 
down a student's account to just what they're allowed to do, you'd gain all 
sorts of security benefits, *and* help them to concentrate on what they're 
supposed to be studying.  With a tool like KDE's kiosk system, you could also 
lock down their browsers, so they can't look at porn or violence etc., by 
locking their browser's proxy settings, to make it use dansguardian for web 
filtering.  This could also be used to prevent viruses and such things being 
downloaded, which could otherwise compromise security.

-- 
Lee Braiden
http://www.DigitalUnleashed.com