User Security

Hi!

Is it possible to restrict certain users to only be able to run a few programs?
I want to restrict the children so they only see and can run a few basic programs.
It would also be good if there was a program that could limit the internet access.

Please help
Martin

Hi!

Is it possible to restrict certain users to only be able to run a few programs?
I want to restrict the children so they only see and can run a few basic programs.
It would also be good if there was a program that could limit the internet access.

Please help
Martin
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For internet you might want Dansguardian
Maybe one of the gurus here can help you with the programs

/Geoff

Hello dream77.

One method:
Establish a username called MyChildren (or whatever)
Switch to KDE menu style with a R-click on the menu button
Open Menu Editor with a R-click on the menu button
You can remove whatever you like from the menu in the menu editor
You can add whatever you like too

Another method:
Establish a username called MyChildren (or whatever)
Switch to KDE menu style with a R-click on the menu button
Select whatever you want them to use in the menu and use "add item to desktop". This will put your choices onto the desktop as icons.
Remove extraneous default icons from desktop with R-click --> trash
Remove the KDE menu entirely with a R-click --> "remove KDE menu menu"

Other methods will require passwords for each application - which I don't imagine you want to get into.

These methods will last until they are old enough to crack and hack -- now days that's two days after they start school :lol:

Swerdna

...
These methods will last until they are old enough to crack and hack -- now days that's two days after they start school :lol:

Swerdna
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Or if they are like my wife they'll never figure it out :lol:

I will try the above if there is nothing else. But I wonder is it not possible to create a user group, and in that group set program access?

What you are looking for is a kiosk solution, that restricts the user to certain applications. The normal linux desktop (at least, kde) in the contrary is designed to give the user as much freedom as possible. Nonetheless there is an application kiosktool (just look for the package kiosktool) for kde, that lets you define certain restrictions. See http://extragear.kde.org/apps/kiosktool/

If this is the right way to teach your children responsible use of computers is questionable, IMO.

If this is the right way to teach your children responsible use of computers is questionable, IMO.
[/b]

That's a really tough one eberhard: To establish the balance between how much to protect from harm --vs-- how much to prepare for life. What a risky equation to solve! I did that three times to the best of my judgement -- and failed completely with one poor soul who is half way through wasting a non-refundable life. Good luck to you all!

Swerdna

That's a really tough one eberhard: To establish the balance between how much to protect from harm --vs-- how much to prepare for life. What a risky equation to solve! I did that three times to the best of my judgement -- and failed completely with one poor soul who is half way through wasting a non-refundable life. Good luck to you all!

Swerdna
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I'm sorry for that, Swerdna. Perhaps I'm not the one to give advice in that case, since I have not risen children, yet. I think, a computer is not, or should not be a baby sitter. Same goes for TV. So if you want to teach your children to use a computer and in the same time protect them from harm, use the computer together with them and show them how to use it. And at the other times, there are other ways for children to be occupied, than to sit in front of the computer alone.

Only my 2p, I'm not the expert in this field, see above.

I don't know about you but this is not really "unixy"

create a group. This group will have limited rights. Now add to the group any user you wish to limit access to the specific device program.

KDE does not give any rights, it simply reads user ACL settings. This is not windows.

I don't know about you but this is not really "unixy"

create a group. This group will have limited rights. Now add to the group any user you wish to limit access to the specific device program.

KDE does not give any rights, it simply reads user ACL settings. This is not windows.
[/b]

Very good, broch, now all is clear! Perhaps you could elaborate a little more on 'create a group. This group will have limited rights.'

Edit: the "unixy" way would be to assign the user a restricted shell, but since I think, his children wouldn't be shell-users, but use a gui, you need a way to restrict the gui. Thence the kiosktool. But thank's again for your eternal wisdom on how things are done in unix.