PowerPro v3.8
http://powerpro.webeddie.com/
Win 95/98/NT/2000/XP
Free

[Command launcher] Run commands, programs, and system configuration all from a button bar. This is a tough program to describe because it can be customized many ways to suit your needs. Karen Carter, who recommended this program, finds this program is indispensable. She says, “It will replace many separate utilities, and can be configured in almost unlimited ways. It has extensive help files, plus two user groups on Yahoo.com for extra support/assistance.”

When I opened the program for the first time, I was overwhelmed by its options. Taking baby steps, I picked two of my frequently used commands and added them to the task bar. On my desktop are a few one-click icons for running a command. I moved these icons into PowerPro and the desktop became less cluttered. Speed up the computing process by taking advantage of the hot key and mouse action items.

Tick tock, the program ran scheduled items right on time such as registry cleaning programs, back ups, and reminders.

I rarely used CAPS or SCROLL LOCK, both of which could be disabled with PowerPro. I could also create virtual desktops and send keystrokes when running a program. The Web site shows menu examples to give you an idea of how different implementation can be per desktop. If the program looks familiar, it was formerly known as Stiletto.

In sum, PowerPro is a task bar, keyboard macro, and program launcher rolled in one. Although the site has not been updated in over a year, the program is worth looking into if you’re looking for a tool to do all of these things.

For years, we’ve seen characters in science fiction movies using a hand, an eye, or voice to gain access to highly secure areas in a building. The hero always manages to find a way to around these barriers and save the day. It’s not quite so simple, but it’s more challenging for the hot shot spy to access areas using physical characteristics than using passwords.

How much of your day is spent helping end-users track down, reset or gain access to the network because they lost or forgot their passwords or other security issues? What if you could have extra security and added convenience by not using passwords again?

This no-password technology is here and is growing rapidly. It is called *biometrics* and you’re on your way to becoming a hero like those in the movies.

*Biometrics* is the use of automated methods of recognizing an individual based on physical or behavioral characteristics. Common commercial examples are fingerprint, face, iris, hand geometry, voice and dynamic signature recognition.

Adopting new technology

Not all cool technology becomes viable. The old ‘build it and they will come’ concept only works if the buyer is looking for something to solve a business problem. Not just a minor irritant, but a major pain.

Think about the main motivator behind most of the technology purchases you make. There is likely a loss of productivity, existing stress point, or both behind each one.

Password scenarios

In the security world, there is continuing pressure to make your network more secure. Each layer of additional security implemented also adds more complexity to the process. One of the major time wasters for a help desk staff is assisting end users with password problems. Password issues have also become an annoyance for the end user.

Consider three different basic password scenarios. You operate either with no passwords, simple and same passwords, or complex ones for logon screens, applications and secure Internet sites. Here are the rationalizations for the scenarios regarding passwords and their tribulations:

* No passwords: it’s effortless, but not secure. It’s an open invitation for hackers and peers, and it’s highly vulnerable. There are many people using this method today. Startling, but true.

* Simple or same passwords for all logons: simple to remember, but not secure, easily guessed, and leads to havoc if one password is cracked on a system.

* Complex passwords: these are perceived as secure, but they’re inconvenient. They can be cracked by patient hackers with a little help from password generating programs.

Here is story from the front line involving a “simple password” usage policy in a particular company. A company’s passwords policy for employees was as follows:

1. Use first initials of the first name,
2. Then the last name
3. Add the number one (1) at the end of the string of characters.

Therefore, Joe Shmo’s password was “jshmo1.”

This policy applied for all 70 plus employees. Management’s insecurity for wanting to know all the passwords caused this unsecured inefficiency. They did not see the other side of the coin; a wicked-minded employee with minimal technical expertise could access the company’s intellectual property for snooping.

There is another contributor to the already complex password issues. It’s bad enough there are password generator programs, which enable hackers to crack passwords when they want to infiltrate into a network; even when complex passwords are used companion such a network.

This contributor is called, social engineering. People share passwords with their peers, co-workers, friends and bosses. In a corporate setting, when network break-in issues occur, it creates finger pointing. Worst of all, it causes the loss of valuable time, money and resources. Furthermore, company intellectual property is exposed to the wrong individuals with potentially catastrophic consequences for the company.

If someone breaks into your network, which of the previously mentioned password issues will come to mind? Most likely, none. The media and marketing firms have brainwashed the public because they want to frighten, to promote and to sell security prevention products blocking outsiders from infiltrating your network.

The reality is there is good likelihood that the infiltrator could be working within your department, sitting in an adjacent office or in the cubicle at the end of the hall or even the person who greets you every morning and offers you a cup of hot cocoa in the hallway.

As big as a problem as passwords are for everyone, not being able to secure your network is unthinkable.

A more efficient solution

Biometrics is the solution for simplifying these password security issues. Biometrics provides an additional layer of security, efficiency and convenience for users and IT administrators. The passwords are there if you need them. Nevertheless, you can implement a simple policy to use back-door passwords—say 30 characters long—so no hacker or program can easily break it—and use biometric authentication for all logons, applications and secured internet sites.

Here are a few facts about most biometric solutions:

1. In general, it’s a non-intrusive solution. Often people relate biometrics devices to those fingerprint imaging devices used by law enforcement agencies. In biometrics during fingerprint enrollment, the fingerprint image is converted into often-encrypted binary data and stored onto the hard drive. Reverse engineering, to convert this data back into the fingerprint image, is virtually impossible.

2. It’s easy to setup and to use.

3. A combination of different biometric devices with Boolean authentication methods can be used for additional layers of security. For example, using a fingerprint together with iris recognition methods of authentications, or even combined with passwords.

4. It can significantly minimize the cost and the time wasted on administration and maintenance of password related issues for IT departments.

5. It maximizes efficiency and convenience by avoiding the need to remember passwords.

The wide spectrum of industries that already have adopted biometrics solutions are as follows:

* financial institutions
* pharmaceuticals
* small businesses
* medium and large corporations
* healthcare industry
* educational institutions
* remote corporate employees
* health clubs
* government agencies
* hospitality industry
* consumer industry

The “password” future is here

Firewalls, virus protection programs, intrusion detection and prevention, and programs and operating systems patches for their vulnerabilities and loopholes are examples of the nuisances embrace even though it comes with additional costs and headaches.

Biometrics is ready for embracing by those who require and understand the benefits of added security (from insiders and outsiders), efficiency and convenience for our everyday computing experiences. Just like online transactions, once you start using it, you can’t imagine returning to the older and inefficient technology. Biometrics adoption is real and not an underground movement nor a fictional scene from a James Bond movie. It is the road we will travel.

Discussion: There’s talk that the next step is to protected access is passphrases. What do you think?

About the author:
Nick Farzanfar, founder of FOQUEST Incorporated, has worked in research, consultation, recommendation and implementation of advanced biometrics solutions for organizations in all sizes. He is acting as a forefront in educating the market regarding the inefficiencies of passwords–as being the “weakest link in IT infrastructure.” He is working with Boston University, Vermont University and Massachusetts General Hospital to assist them with research and implementation of biometrics solutions. Nick holds a Bachelor Degree in Computer Mathematics from San Jose State University, San Jose, CA.

I believe if everyone had one of those “beat up your computer” dolls for taking out your computer problem aggravation on the doll instead of your computer, then they’d all look like they were hit by a truck. After calming down and finding your center, PC Annoyances is the nice tech support technician that s ready and willing to help resolve those @#*$ problems without giving you backtalk or the runaround.

Before getting this book, I had wondered if it was going to focus on Microsoft products such as Outlook for e-mail, Word, and Windows. It does, but not as much as I originally thought. The e-mail section starts with a chapter of general e-mail annoyances for different e-mail clients followed by Outlook, AOL, Eudora, and Hotmail with their own chapters. Section two is Windows and it refers to Windows XP more than anything else, but there is help for other versions.

The Internet earns its own section with Internet Explorer appearing often along with references to a couple of other browsers, Google, and Instant Messaging. The Microsoft Office section helps squash Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Outlook Express annoyances. No Access or FrontPage annoyances are included, but that’s OK. I find most of my problems are not with the latter two. Get faster and more effective with Bass’ Windows Explorer tips including how to delete a file it refuses to delete and speeding up file search.

I benefit the most from the Music, Videos, and CDs section since it’s an area I barely touch. Not only does it advise on dealing with multimedia, but also it discusses CD and DVD questions and concerns. I’ve thought about the CD nudging issue, which is when you gently push the CD tray to close it, but I never researched it. Bass answers the big question on whether to nudge or not to nudge.

PC Annoyances is not only about the problems you cross, but also things you may have never even considered. Those with a notebook computer who wish it came with a docking station can still make it dockable even if it’s a standalone notebook.

A couple of issues with the otherwise fine book; it has a ton of links (with most pages having more than two links). This is risky because URLs change faster than military personnel mailing addresses. It also provides links to ” for the fun of it” sites, a common source of complaints based on my writing experience. These resources take up a tiny space on the side of the page.

Some references are to paid products, which to some is annoying. However, I’ve never been one to knock recommendations for non-free products because I believe if we like something, it’s good to let others know about it. If it’s in print, it durn well better be a good recommendation.

You’re a geek asking if you can find the answers on your own. Probably. But do you have the time it takes to find it? Probably not. Between the spouse and me (hardware and software geeks), we are learning a few good tricks from the book.

The book’s format lends itself to quick and easy scanning with side notes in the light red shaded area on the sides of the pages, useful screen shots, and boxes with tidbits. The book is just 177 pages, enough for you to find the tips you need without the needle in the haystack problem.

VITAL STATISTICS:
TITLE: PC Annoyances
AUTHOR: Steve Bass
PUBLISHER: O’Reilly & Associates
PUBLICATION DATE: October 2003
ISBN: 0596005938
FORMAT: Paperback
PAGES: 176
PRICE: US$19.95

Here’s a faster way to lock a workstation without going through the CTRL+ALT+DEL route.

On the desktop (Window+M), right-click an empty area and select New > Shortcut.

Copy and paste the following into the location box:

rundll32.exe user32.dll,LockWorkStation

Name the shortcut “Lock workstation” or whatever you prefer and click Finish. Click on it and the PC stands guard until you return and enter the correct password.

Thanks, Martin, for the reminder that rundll32.exe is already in the path.

Andrew Coates wrote in, “Firstly, I’m not totally sure how creating an icon is any easier than the ALT+CTRL+DEL option. Pressing those keys then hitting space I would say is more often then not going to be quicker than finding your desktop and clicking on an icon. However, if you are looking for a quicker way to lock your computer. Perhaps you should try Windows + L.”

I responded to Andrew saying the ALT+CTRL+DEL option requires selecting Lock Workstation. Since we have to lock our workstation so often, I find clicking an icon faster. However, the Windows+L will work for keyboard fans.

Update: I checked Windows+L and it didn’t work on my work computer.