Protect your PC with a USB flash drive

Discussion in 'Computer and Technology Discussion' started by Gorge, Mar 8, 2010.

  1. Gorge

    Gorge Resident

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    Hello,



    PREDATOR locks your PC when you are away, even if your Windows session is still opened.
    It uses a regular USB flash drive as an access control device, and works as follows:
    protect your computer with a flash drive

    * you insert the USB drive
    * you run PREDATOR (autostart with Windows is possible)
    * you do your work...
    * when you're away from your PC, you simply remove the USB drive:
    once it is removed, the keyboard and mouse are disabled and the screen darkens
    * when you return back to your PC, you put the USB flash drive in place:
    keyboard and mouse are immediately released, and the display is restored.

    PREDATOR Free Edition has all the features required for the protection of your home computer.




    Gorge
     
  2. AntiNaz

    AntiNaz Addict

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    What happens if you lose the usb drive? :|
     
  3. Titcher

    Titcher Addict

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    It'll obviously have a fail safe. I considered doing something like this but with bluetooth instead, but I couldn't think of an elegant solution so never bothered with it. Really though, you can accomplish the same by pressing Windows Key + L every time you leave the PC.
     
  4. Icharus_Falling

    Icharus_Falling Resident

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    i've used professional software that employs a similar approach via software keys. the serial/license is hard coded onto the USB drive (they used parallel port drives before USB, which i never knew existed until it was 20 years too late ) and is write-protected with no obvious means of changing that protection status, so the flash drive can only be used as a key.

    anyway, this provides 1 software license, but can be used by anyone in the office. the key limits it to 1 user at a time, which works out great for sharing software legally without the million different problems that can hangup a floating network license.

    to try and answer Naz: we misplaced the key a few times, and were pretty much screwed until we found it, or purchased another from the software company. i would imagine the software company that makes predator has some sort of similar option. maybe you can backup your predator files on their server and download a temporary version until the old key is replaced, obtaining said files through hopefully detailed verification.

    there would have to be some sort of override mechanism in place for offices in case some disgruntled employee decides to steal or destroy his key when he loses his job. kind of like all the legal commercial software you can buy to crack microsoft passwords.
     
  5. Gorge

    Gorge Resident

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    Hello,

    What if I lose my key ?

    Follow these instructions:

    * Press 3 times the Enter key to display the password dialog
    * If PREDATOR does not display the password dialog, click the mouse anywhere on the screen then press the Enter key 3 times again.
    * Type your password: the session is released and the monitoring is suspended
    * Insert a new flash drive
    * Right-click the PREDATOR icon that is in the taskbar and click the Preferences item
    * Prepare your key as indicated in paragraph USB Flash Drive in the Settings page

    Obviously it's possible to make a Win + L to lock the session. But the application offers some additional services (alarms, logs....).

    Gorge
     

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