Browsers on Public Computers in Libraries

[Robert Sullivan]

Bill Drew opined:

>Common sense and experience would say it is a mistake to allow browsers on
>public internet stations to:

<stuff I agreed with deleted>

>- access for saving files to the hard disk
>- downloading

It might be more precise to say that this is a mistake if you have no means of
regulating it.  If you have Windows NT, or 3.1/95 with third-party security
software which allows you a fine level of control over where users save their
files, then downloading will give them more flexibility in file handling
without compromising your security.

Even if they copy to a floppy, it might be useful to save to a hard disk and
then compress the files.  If you have the entire disk locked except for one
directory (and no execute privileges in that directory), you should be safe
enough.  You might also save on some printing costs.

Bob Sullivan                               scp_sulli at sals.edu
Schenectady County Public Library (NY)     http://www.scpl.org