You claim that Symantec's Norton DiskLock for Macintosh 4.0 ("For Your Eyes Only," April '96, page 82) is missing several features it actually does have. Your features chart says DiskLock has no "system control," when in fact DiskLock has a check box labeled "can modify system folder" -- uncheck it, and the system folder is locked. Also, DiskLock is listed as having no "floppy control," yet DiskLock has a check box labeled "can use floppy disks" -- unchecking it disables the floppy drive. You claim that DiskLock has no "desktop control," but you can make the top level of a hard disk read-only, which prevents users from moving files and folders. The chart says DiskLock doesn't support "drop boxes," although DiskLock actually has four options for locking folders, including drop boxes. And you say DiskLock does not support "secure erase," yet the encryption preferences offer three levels of secure erasure.
I know reviewers are people too and everyone makes mistakes, but the DiskLock review had so many errors that I have to wonder which product you actually reviewed.
David Shayer, Symantec
dshayer@netcom.com
/ You're right; we were in error regarding DiskLock. But the mistake we made was in the version number -- we reviewed version 3.0 but listed 4.0 in the chart and the article. Version 4.0 shipped just as we were going to press, so we weren't able to test it for this story. It does incorporate all the important features you listed: system, floppy, and desktop control as well as drop boxes and secure erase. / SJ
Being an avid reader of MacUser for several years now, I was disappointed with your omission of On Guard, from Power On Software, in your security-software roundup. As a manager of over 20 Macs, I am always looking for software that will not only make my job easier but also prevent users from tampering with system software. On Guard does that and much more. Access levels can be set on specific documents, folders, or an entire hard disk. User settings can be configured individually or simply copied and pasted between users. Network setup couldn't be easier. Simply choose a zone or computer, and save the settings from the administrator's computer. Its ability to individually designate Launch, Open, Save, Copy, View, and Eject functions at any system level is a manager's dream come true.
The software is extremely solid and (unlike most other security packages) in no way interferes with the Mac's normal operations. Tech support is among the best I've ever encountered, and frequent updates continually improve the package.
Ralph Bellandi
rbellandi@aol.com
I enjoyed your story on software security, but I noticed that it failed to mention the password protection provided by Aladdin's StuffIt. It allows the user to stuff an archive with a password and keep it from prying eyes.
This feature is even available in the shareware version. I'm sure this would be of interest to many Macintosh users, many of whom may own this software but be unaware of this feature.
Daniel Mangialetto
dmangia@GroupZ.net
In your security-software article, Edmark's KidDesk was notably omitted. This surprised me, since KidDesk is a delightful security option for home and school. The new family edition has added interfamily e-mail, voice-mail, an address book, and a notepad to the desk's original accessories: a calendar, a clock, a calculator, and the ability to put each child's photo in a frame on the desk. Children choose their own desk styles, and their files can be saved separately, preventing access by other kids.
The school edition allows classes to be organized separately by teacher, and there are options for an administrative password, a password for each teacher, and one for each individual student.
In both editions, a three-key combination controls access to the Finder, and the school edition also requires knowledge of the teacher's password.
