secure and maintain your computer lab

How to Secure and Maintain Your Computer Lab


August 6, 2008

Facilitator: Kami GriffithsPresenters: Claire Murray and John Neale

Sponsored by ReadyTalk

Remember to call: 866-740-1260 Code: 6339392


Using ReadyTalk

• Chat & raise hand • Mute = *6,

Unmute = *7• If you lose your

internet connection, reconnect using the link emailed to you.

• If you lose your phone connection, re-dial the phone number and re-join.


You are being recorded…

• Online seminars will be available on the TechSoup website.

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Facilitator: Kami GriffithsPresenters: Claire Murray and John Neale

Sponsored by:


Today’s Speakers

Kami Griffiths

Volunteer:Chris Peters

Claire Murray John Neale


• Uptime

• Security

• Accessibility

Important aspects of managing public computers

Local Policy Settings: no Domain

• Policies must be set on each computer • “User Rights” & “Security” will be primary concern • Permissions can be set based on logon group

(admin, user, power user, etc.)

User Rights Policies are Extensive

Security Permissions also Extensive

Policies have various options

• Depending on the selected security item• Can Enable or Disable the selected feature• May be able to discriminate which users have

access to certain features

Domain Policies• Extensive number of items to select from

– All the selections as local policy plus more

• Can affect all users or selected users/group

Domain Policies

Set policy based on Logon Script

Set access limits based on logon or group

Domain Policies: Many Options

• Too many to specify; should read carefully

• Can get yourself locked out if not careful

• Ask for advice from knowledgeable admin

Tracking Updates & Issues

• Excel spreadsheet for weekly update checks• Access database for reporting problems/issues

Red Background & Extension Cords

• Red Background means admin logon is being used

• Alerts staff that patron should not be on computer

• Set screen saver to require logon automatically for admin logons; not required on patron logons

Reception can see all display screens

Tabs on cover & base for locking

Zip Ties Keep Items on Desktop

Zip Ties connect “easily taken” speaker & USB extension cords to the keyboard or mouse cable.

Items can be moved easily from right to left of monitor to accommodate left-handed users.

USB & Speaker Extension Cords


The 10 Commandments for this Computer Lab (sample)

• There shall be no food in the lab.• There shall be no drink in the lab• There shall be no streaming video in the lab.• There shall be no streaming games in the lab.• There shall be no cell phone usage in the lab.• There shall be no pornography downloaded are viewed in

the lab.• There shall be no changing of system settings.• There shall be no sleeping in the lab.• There shall be no children in the lab unless accompanied

and supervised by an adult.• There shall be payment of $.10 per page after the first 10

pages for printing.


Acceptable Use Policy (sample)

Austin Free-Net welcomes you to this lab. We want this to be a safe and comfortable place for everyone to use the computers and to access the Internet. Young people and adults are all expected to share this lab responsibly.

Austin Free-Net facilitates access to information and maintains a "Freedom of Information" policy. As such, we are not responsible for the content available to our customers on the Internet. Nonetheless, our partners may decide on a different policy of their own. Parents/guardians are encouraged to learn about the Internet and advised to supervise their children's Internet sessions.

While Austin Free-Net has a "Freedom of Information" policy, we do not condone the use of our public access sites for illegal activities.

Please note that it is ILLEGAL: to view any pornographic content when minors are present to show any pornographic content to a minor to view or produce child pornography Austin Free-Net staff or volunteers may immediately end such Internet sessions, notify police, or refuse use of this or other AFN sites to anyone found engaged in such activities."

To view AFN's "Freedom of Information Policy" and to learn more about these issues, please visit www.austinfree.net/freedom.html.

Thank you,Austin Free-Net


Q & A

Raise your hand to ask a question, or type the question in the chat box.


Important Resources

• MaintainIT Project

• CTCnet

• WebJunction

• Neighborhood Networks

• The Center for Accessible Technology

• Austin Free-Net

• Murray Associates


• Disk protection• Internet filtering• Working with volunteers

• Laptop checkout• Wireless internet• Reservation/Time

Management Software

The MaintainIT Project

www.maintainitproject.org


Get the Most Out of TechSoup

• At TechSoup, you’ll find a range of technology services to help your nonprofit:

– Read helpful articles in our Learning Center– Request donated software, hardware, and online

services– Join our community forums to learn from your

colleagues– Browse upcoming events and conferences


TechSoup Stock Vendor Partners

• Microsoft• Symantec• Adobe• eTapestry• Intuit

• Mailshell• Business Objects• Readytalk• Alpha Software• Atlas Business

Solutions


Continue the discussion…

• Additional questions can be answered by posting in our Accessible Technology and Public Computing forum


Upcoming Online Seminars

• Maximize your Google Grant of In-Kind Advertising – August 14, 11am PDT

• Creating Effective Online Surveys– August 26, 11am PDT


Thank you ReadyTalk!


For More Information

Contact: Kami [email protected]