Zorba is a quick and dirty security program that I wrote for use on our Mac network at work. It’s function is to hinder unauthorized users from using a Mac, by demanding a password upon startup. If a correct password is not entered after 3 attempts, the program will attempt to ShutDown the Mac.
Since it is currently an application it *must* be made a startup application to provide security. It is suggested, though not required, that Zorba be the only startup application since some applications do not respond to being shutdown.
When using MultiFinder, you may want to launch Zorba when you step away from your computer for a few minutes, to lock others out. I use QuicKeys™ from CE Software to launch Zorba “on top of” my current application with a single keystroke.
If you’re using System 7, you can place Zorba or an alias in the Startup Items folder to cause it to open when your Mac is started. Users of systems before System 7 will need to select Zorba’s icon and choose “Set Startup” from the Finder’s “Special” menu to have it open when your Mac is started.
Features at a Glance
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• Attempts to ShutDown the Mac if the user cannot enter a correct password (after 3 attempts).
• Characters are masked as they are typed.
• Allows 3 passwords to be defined (regular, master, and admin) that are encrypted to prevent discovery by snoopers using resource editors like ResEdit.
• Standard command key equivalents can be used to cut, copy, and paste text; and pressing the tab key selects all text.
• Optional screen-sized window to hide the desktop (useful when using MultiFinder or System 7.0).
• Optional built-in screen saver after 60 seconds of inactivity
• Optional tab delimited TEXT or Rich Text Format (RTF) log of invalid or valid access attempts (differentiating between regular and master passwords), which is placed in the Preferences folder in the System Folder.
• Optional warning if it is more than 30, 45, or 60 days since the regular password was changed.
• System 7.0 compatibility, including Balloon help (click on the upside-down balloon).
Password and Preferences Editing
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When choosing passwords, think sneaky. Zorba’s passwords are case and space sensitive and may be up to 255 characters long. Try to use words or phrases that cannot be guessed easily. A person’s first name or initials are examples of weak passwords. A pair of easily remembered, unrelated words (weasel ship) or words with unusual capitalization (wiNd) or words with unexpected ($jon) punctuation can be very effective.
The way we use Zorba at work is to allow each users to pick a password to use as the REGULAR password. Each work group leader picks a password to use as the MASTER password for that group. The ADMIN password is known only by our support personnel.
To change a password or program preferences, launch Zorba and enter the password to be changed. Then select the OK button while holding down the command, option, and shift keys. A new window will appear in which you can enter the new password:
••• The current REGULAR password is: $jpw
••• The current MASTER password is: ZorbA
••• The current ADMIN password is: lasagna
Select the “Prefs” button to edit program preferences:
Known Problems
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Since it is an application, it loads after INITs, which means it is possible to access a computer using Zorba from another Mac via a network software like TOPS.
Zorba can be bypassed by starting from a floppy disk or by disabling extensions under System 7 (press the shift key during startup). However, this could be considered a feature if you’ve forgotten all passwords…
Zorba appears to sometimes have a problem accessing the ShutDown routine when more than one application is made startup on Macs using a Radius monitor with the Radius software enabled.
