[Year 12 IT Apps] Win SteadyState

[stephen at melbpc.org.au]

Hi all,

> it would take an expert eye to avoid installing [malware] by mistake,
> since *system level software* can be installed on Windows XP without
> changing your access permissions: you *are* the admin in WinXP.

<http://www.microsoft.com/protect/products/family/steadystate.mspx>

Windows SteadyState helps protect your family, and your family computer 

Windows SteadyState is a (free) download for Windows XP that can help 
protect your family from inappropriate Web content and contact on the Web.

 Windows SteadyState also protects your computer settings from unwelcome 
changes by your children.

You can download SteadyState at no charge to people using genuine 
Microsoft Windows XP.

Windows SteadyState can return your family computer and hard disk to the 
condition it was before your children changed it. You just restart your 
computer. (Note: Windows SteadyState is for Windows XP only. Similar 
features, called Windows Vista Parental Controls, are built in to Windows 
Vista.)

* Restrict access to programs and settings

If you're a parent, you can use Windows SteadyState User Settings to 
customize the family computer and help make it safer and easier for you 
and your children to use. 

For example, to help ensure your children don’t use the Internet without 
your knowledge, you can create a user profile and restrict their access to 
Internet Explorer, Windows Messenger, and other programs on the family 
computer. 

If you don't want your children to change settings on the computer, you 
can simply restrict their access to Windows management features such as 
the Control Panel.

With Windows SteadyState, you can create multiple user profiles and set a 
different level of restriction for each child.

* Return your computer to its original state

When children use the family computer, they might accidentally change 
important settings or download spyware, viruses, or other unwanted 
software. The Windows Disk Protection feature in Windows SteadyState helps 
you prevent these changes from causing any permanent damage to the hard 
disk. 

When you have Windows Disk Protection turned on, you can simply restart 
your computer to return Windows SteadyState to the condition it was in 
before the last user touched it. Windows SteadyState can clear all the 
changes made during the last user session, including installations of 
viruses or spyware, or deletions of critical system files. 

* Control your child's experience

You can use Windows SteadyState to help control how your children interact 
with Windows, other programs, and the Web. For example, you can remove 
items from the Start menu for your child's user account, which simplifies 
your child's computing experience and can help protect your computer from 
unwanted changes. You can also choose which Web addresses your child can 
visit and block your child from opening specific programs through the 
Start menu. 

With Windows SteadyState, you can also enforce time limits on your child's 
sessions on the computer. 

* Using Windows SteadyState

When you open Windows SteadyState for the first time, you see the 
SteadyState console, where you can choose which settings you want to 
change on your computer. 

To make the best use of Windows SteadyState features, it's a good idea to 
start out by adding a new user account for every person who will use the 
computer. You can adjust settings for each user account separately. 

After you've created user accounts, you can specify the restrictions you 
want to select for each user.

You can download Windows SteadyState for your Windows XP computer at no 
charge. To download SteadyState and to find more information, including 
FAQs and discussion forums, visit the Microsoft Shared Access site. 
--

Cheers people
Stephen Loosley
Member, Victorian
Institute of Teaching


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