Internet access: Downloading issues

[TMGB]

Like Jim Morgan, we also encourage downloading.  All of our public PCs
are Win95 with F-Prot Professional [FPP] running on each machineand a
Navigator only interface.  Drive A is always checked by FPP before
allowing access.  We do not sell disks, but if anyone knows of a
mechanical dispenser for disk (maybe like the individual soap dispensers
at laundry mats) I would appreciate information on these.  I have not
been able to use the policy editor to disallow users to save to the hard
drive but it has disallowed regular users not to view the hard drive.  I
will soon be looking at software for better security one in particular
professes to set access rights on files and folders (not attrib,
passworded.)

Thomas

Greg Dean Schmitz wrote:

> I am looking for input on the issue of allowing patrons to
> download files to disks from Internet access PC's.
>
> Security and virus concerns appear to be the most obvious reasons a
> library would not allow patrons to download, but I am interested in
> hearing about others.  Is it a general opinion, that if PC's have a
> reliable anti-virus program (Mcafee, for example), that downloading is
>
> generally allowed?  What other factors come into play?
>
> In reviewing library Internet policies, I've found that many libraries
>
> allow downloading from disks that the patron can purchase from the
> Library, but not all state whether patrons can bring in their own
> disks.
> A question I have about this, is that if it seems likely that the
> Internet
> is just as likely to be vulnerable to spreading viruses as a patron's
> disk, is the reasoning behind not allowing patrons to use disks from
> outside the building based on another obstacle, like possibly corrupt
> disks?
>
> Another issue that comes up is the obvious security issue of using
> Ikiosk
> and Fortres to prevent downloading of files to the hard drive.  In my
> library's case, we will use both those programs.
>
> These are some of the issues I am interested in, but I would
> appreciate
> any input from librarians who have dealt with this issue, or anyone
> who
> has anything they'd like to contribute.
>
> Thanks in advance for any input!
>
> --------------------------------
> ----------------------------------------
> Greg D. Schmitz                 |       Email:  schmitz at winnefox.org
> Oshkosh Public Library          |       Phone:  (920)236-5219 x4814
> Oshkosh, WI 54901-4985          |       Fax:    (920)236-5227
> _____________________________________________________________
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