by Dale Farris, President, Golden Triangle PC Club
December 2001

Program Overview

SoftClan SecuritySuite 5 is a brand new security and auditing program that provides Windows 95/98/Me (the older, 9.X family of Microsoft operating systems) with protection levels similar to what is found in the NTFS (New Technology File System) in Windows NT or Windows 2000, and it also adds a rich set of security features.

With SoftClan SecuritySuite 5, CenturionSoft now makes available a less expensive and less robust security application than their award-winning Steganos 3 Security Suite. Click this link for a review of CenturionSoft's equally impressive Steganos 3 Security Suite.

In the NTFS file system that is the foundation of Microsoft's Windows NT and Windows 2000 operating systems, the secure, stable operating systems for business machines, Microsoft designed a much greater degree of file security in these operating systems, along with greater stability, than users will find in all the "older" Windows 9.X operating systems (Windows 95, 98, ME). Even if a Win 9.X user sees the username and password entry dialog box (this can be turned off), all you have to do is click the Cancel button, and you will have complete access to all folders and all files on these machines. There is therefore NO security built into these older Win 9.X systems. This is one of the main reasons why Microsoft long ago first developed Windows NT.

In Windows NT and Windows 2000 machines, this username and password dialog box MUST be correctly completed, or you do NOT use the machine at all. Thus, you cannot get access to any folders or files, and you therefore cannot do anything on these high security operating systems. The official, approved username and password is always assigned by a network administrator when the user needs to work on these NT or 2000 machines.

Now with SoftClan Security Suite 5 you can set just as high a level of security on these older Windows operating machines, thereby enabling these older Windows 9.X systems to be as secure as NT and 2000 machines.

SoftClan SecuritySuite 5 is completely administrable through an easy-to-use interface, and the on-the-fly monitoring process is absolutely transparent and does not alter the operation or speed of the system at all. This ease of use will be welcomed by novice users interested in adding this level of security to their Win 9.X machines.

Included Features

Restrict access to Windows to certain users (permanent or temporary), optionally controlling the days of the week and the time of the day the user is allowed to logon and use the system.

Keep a log or track of all the users making use of the system, including the duration of the working sessions and failed logon attempts.

Select the files (databases, documents, applications, images, etc.) which every user will have some or no access.

Secure certain files (databases, images, documents, etc.) being processed only by one or several well-defined applications, guaranteeing that these cannot be altered, copied, moved or deleted, otherwise.

Control the execution access over certain applications, such as Internet browsers, e-mail programs, games, or word processors.

Protect the integrity and well functioning of the system, keeping key files, including Config.sys, Autoexec.bat, Executables, Dynamic-link libraries, Configuration files, Driver, or System folders, from being altered or removed.

Audit the execution of certain operations over both: free-access and protected files, producing a very precise report including the full file name and path, application used to perform the action, date/time of the event, and result of the operation.

Establish certain user-level restrictions or policies in the system, such as disable some controls and operations, hide either totally or partially the network neighborhood, disable the registry editing tools, deny the access to some or all applets in Control Panel, or protect the active Desktop.

Completely control the remote access to the system, sharing specific files and denying or allowing certain operations on them.

Disable and/or control the system operation in MS-DOS mode.

Basic Functions

Operating this neat program is quite intuitive, and the access is driven the user-friendly interface. The online user manual is of great help in better understand the features of this useful, and very important application.
 
Targeted Customers

SoftClan Security Suite 5 is primarily of interest to private computer users with an Internet connection, small to medium companies, independent PCs with especially sensitive data (like lawyers, notaries, personnel), and stand-alone systems. In high security offices, this program could easily be considered a must, as the concern for security is high in such areas as law enforcement, the practice of law, or any other highly secure operation where the privacy of personal information may be driven by prescriptive legal requirements.

In any networked environment that still supports older, Win 9.X operating systems, SoftClan Security Suite 5 will be an essential tool network administrators will want to seriously consider, especially if they will not be migrating their system to a Win 2000 or Win XP Professional environment until long into the future. This handy tool will help them add the necessary level of user security with these legacy operating systems.

Some User Concerns

In some corporate environments, the use of this program may actually not be allowed, since office workstations in networked environments usually must be accessible to information systems management. So, individual desktop users of networked machines in these corporate environments are urged to be sure to FIRST obtain the authorization and approval from the IS folks BEFORE you install and begin to use the features in this program. If you don't, and it is later realized that some files are not accessible without a password that you might not choose to share, then don't be surprised if the machine is removed for a disk swipe, reinstallation of the OS, reinstallation of applications, and a likely install of a "networked PC" that will no longer allow any software installations or system setting alterations.

Although the security features in this program are super, use in organizations will have to be managed and controlled by IS folks, in order to assure the machines continue to work as designed and in accordance with any existing corporate IS policies and procedures.

However, because of the very nature of the security features in this super program, it very definitely does have important use in most all corporate environments on designated PCs used to support the sensitive, personal information about their customers, their employees, legal matters, other internal data that must be legally protected, or data not to be shared outside the company. This program can then be installed on these very specific computers, and set up by IS management in such a manner as to offer the company the necessary protection and encryption they desperately need, while not being used for purposes not originally intended.

While stand-alone PC owners are of course an important target customer, the use inside organizations represents the genuine value of implementing the security features of this vital program that will provide the greatest degree of data protection now available in the open market. 

Install and Setup

Although the hard drive space and RAM requirements of this program are minimal, understand that for this program to do what is intended, it must integrate itself within your operating system. This means the program writes files and sets up entries into the registry database, that go beyond what normally occurs with most applications. The uninstall routine works with the standard Add/Remove Programs command in the Control Panel.

The online user manual also presents the step-by-step instructions how to use the program and how it works.

Note also that because of how the program seats itself in an operating system, this means you will certainly want to be sure and have all background files closed before you load this program. In addition, you might want to also make note of these files, and then run the MSCONFIG file to de-select these files when you next start your system, and then install the program. Let the install routine run its course, and then restart your system, and make sure the program loads properly.

After a successful installation of the program, you would want to again run the MSCONFIG file and re-check the files you earlier de-selected, but only one at a time, restarting each time, to be sure that the program is running well. This program will add certain files in the Startup process, so you will want to be sure that after these files load that the other files you may also want to load at startup will cohabitate well with this program.

Price

$39.95 boxed version (super bargain!)
$34.95 downloadable version
$34.95 price to unlock 30-day free trial version 
Multi-licensing pricing available

Minimum System Configuration Requirements

386 processor
IBM-PC or 100% compatible
Windows 95/98/ME
4MB free hard disk space
4MB RAM
VGA 640 X 480 or better monitor
CD ROM Drive (boxed version)
Microsoft compatible mouse

The above system configuration requirements indicate the minimum system requirements, and as most savvy computer owners know, this and any application will run best on the fastest processor you can manage, along with the most RAM you can afford to add to your system.

About CenturionSoft

CenturionSoft is a Washington, DC-based software company specializing in Windows utilities for productivity and security, wholly owned by Software Abroad, LLC, a global software import and distribution company. Other applications produced or distributed include Steganos 3, a complete set of utilities to protect your privacy and secure your important documents, Web Watcher Business Edition, designed to help prevent Internet abuse, Steganos Internet Trace Destructor, a personal privacy protector for the Internet, Steganos Password Manager, a personal manager for passwords, SAFtyLatch, voice-activated security for files and folders, and Steganos, the privacy protector program that is a component in the Steganos 3 Security Suite.

CenturionSoft also works with computer game software, including Adventure at the Chateau d'Or and Catechumen. Other utility applications from CenturionSoft include X-Portal Findware, a new search tool, PrintScreen, used to capture and print screen images using the Print Screen key on the keyboard, EuroFonter, used to enable applications to handle the new Euro symbol, and TrakRecord, an event browser.

Contact Information

Ben Eubanks
CenturionSoft
2000 P Street NW, Suite 615
Washington, DC 20036-6920
202-293-5151
FAX 202-293-6942
eFAX 208-977-9967
beubanks@centurionsoft.com
info@centurionsoft.com
www.softclan.com
www.softwareabroad.com
www.centurionsoft.com

You can also order from other retailers or online vendors.