eWEEK content and product recommendations are editorially independent. We may make money when you click on links to our partners. Learn More.
Microsoft is readying a new security tool to add to its arsenal.
The newest member of Microsofts growing security-focused product family is the “Microsoft Shared Computer Toolkit for Windows XP,” according to beta testers who requested anonymity.
The toolkit, which is currently in private beta test, is designed for users who are sharing computers in businesses and homes.
It is especially focused on users of shared computers in libraries, cafés, schools and other similar environments, testers said.
What unites these shared computers is the fact that there seldom is a dedicated systems administrator managing them. As a result, they tend to be prime targets for all kinds of malware.
According to beta testers, the following tools are part of the toolkit:
- A Windows Disk Protection Tool designed to protect the core operating system and program files from being permanently modified.
- A Windows Restriction Tool that allows for the tailoring of individual users profiles. Among the variables that can be locked down: access to the command prompt, Internet Explorer settings and the Registry Editor.
- A User Profile Tool that enables the simple creation and deletion of user profiles on a shared computer.
- An Accessibility Tool that lets users customize their environments with things like high-visibility backgrounds, StickyKeys, etc.
The entire toolkit should be about 5MB in size, testers said. The Windows Disk Protection tool also will require 1GB or more on the shared computers hard disk as free disk space.
The toolkit will work with the Windows XP Service Pack 2 release of XP Home, Professional or Tablet. It wont run on older versions of Windows, Windows Server, Windows XP x64 or Windows XP Media Center.
Its not clear when Microsoft plans to release the final version of the toolkit. But Microsoft is likely to make the toolkit available for free, testers said.