Cyber Cafe Help needed.

[mohit]

hey guyz one of my frnds is planning to open a cybercafe and he has asked my help regarding this problem. he is looking for a software (freeware preferred) that will be able to lock the administrator rights of a system and not let the user mess around with any settings of the OS. The user should be able to download files only in 1 location specified and he should not be able to access the directory of the OS and Program Files. Also he wants that the user cannot turn off the Firewall / Anti-Virus /Anti-Spyware protection at any time while surfing. All the user should be permitted to do is come and surf without losing on basic functionalities and also at the same time not he does not want his pc's to be infested with spyware/porn/adware etc etc. He is thinking of using Win XP Professional as the OS in all systems and he is not going to connect them by LAN. Instead he will provide individual net connections to each machine.

Also he requires another software just like the ones used in Sify Iway /Reliance which can be used to create a userid/pw for the customer and then allow him to login , instead of the conventional system of noting down the time for each customer. He wants an automatic software which will deduct the customers balance as he uses his account and will provide facilities of low balance reminders and recharge etc. Something jsut similar to the Sify/Reliance stuff.

All your suggestions are welcome and please help me come out with a good secure solution for him.Thanx in advance.

[digen]

For the first part of the query it certainly seems to be lot of work,but it can be done by imposing various restrictions.
1.Disable Task Manager -users cant disable any service.
2.Play with gpedit.msc[Group Policy Editor],you'll find lotsa tweaks that will make that setup.
3.Password protect your anti-virus & firewall.
4.Certainly disabling the admin account is not a option,users will complain of not being able to proceed with tasks such as installing programs...blah blah.Moreover executables require admin priviledges.If thats what any of them require such functions.
You can also have a look here: http://www.thinkdigit.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=15937
Surf Kelly's registry tweaks page,you'll find lotsa goodies.

[djmykey]

And above all of that dont use win 98 and try the above tweaks coz nothing called as an adminsitrator existed in 98 use xp or 2000 and install on NTFS partitons only.

[Choto Cheeta]

good topic....

[lateshgalia]

Use Windows 2000 Server or Advanced Server and install Active Directory to set rights and permissions. It is very customisable but if you dont do it carefully you can mess up the whole system. You can use WebCafe Meter by Rhombus Technologies (buy it doesnt cost much) to keep tab of users loggedin and how much time they have been online and what services they used while surfing like printing, scanning etc.

[digen]

Originally Posted by lateshgalia

Use Windows 2000 Server or Advanced Server and install Active Directory to set rights and permissions. It is very customisable but if you dont do it carefully you can mess up the whole system.

I would love to write about active directory & installing & configuring a NOS[Network Operating System] but considering the fact that its a CYBER CAFE there is no scope for playing around with things at the same time learning,naah its a small commercial project he wants to carry out without time & money being wasted.Forget about installing & configuring,what about managing it mate?
As Peter Parker in spiderman says "With great power, there must also come great responsibility."
The same is the case inhere also mate.