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TIMELOCK.DOC
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1990-05-03
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TimeLock v 2.3.5
-
(C) Copyright
Robert K. Ricketts
P.O. Box 42086
Houston TX 77242-2086
-
PC Consultant - MultiLine PCBoard BBS
(713)870-1508 - Node 1
-------/ Abstract /---------------------------------------------------------
╓──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────╖
║ ║
║ If you read nothing else, at least read the section called ║
║ ║
║ " NOTE ON ATTENTION CHARACTER " and the "license" file ║
║ ║
╙──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────╜
TimeLock is an assembly language memory resident utility that
locks the PC keyboard after a user-specified period of keyboard
inactivity. This security feature protects your PC (and, more
importantly, a LAN/mainframe userid or sensitive application program)
from spying eyes and curious fingers while you are away. Since the
program locks the keyboard automatically, you don't have to remember
to activate it before walking away. The timeout can range from six
seconds to one hour.
TimeLock is simple to use but **PLEASE** read the documentation
so you'll fully understand what it does and how it works!!!! If you
don't have sufficient understanding prior to use, you'll likely find
yourself powering off/on your computer because TimeLock seized the
keyboard. And you without the understanding to release it!!
-------/ Detail /-----------------------------------------------------------
TimeLock works by intercepting the output from the keyboard
controller chip after an internal timer expires. Each time you press
a key during your work session, TimeLock resets this internal timer -
the unlocked keyboard idle timer.
Once TimeLock has locked the keyboard, all keystrokes are
intercepted and not passed to higher level programs or applications.
Even Ctrl-Alt-Del (the three finger salute) warmboot key sequence is
disabled! The *only* way to gain access is to key in the proper
password or cold-boot the machine. And since cold-booting will log
you off your network your sensitive userid is protected.
Some programs, like TimeLock, hook (or intercept) the keyboard
service routines also. TimeLock peacefully co-exists with most
programs of this type - but not quite all. Fortunately, only a tiny
minority of software plays with the hardware in this way. TimeLock
has features to deal with these 'rude' programs.
TimeLock has a number of internal timers that control different
functions. Most internal timer values can be configured to values
you find desirable.
TimeLock can also be configured to remain 'invisible' on your
PC. It'll unceremoniously lock the keyboard without bells, beeps, or
windows. See the end of the Setup section for more details on this
mode. Of course, you can enable any combination of bells, beeps, and
windows if you desire.
INSTANT LOCKOUT
TimeLock has two instant lockout features. You can lockout the
keyboard from the DOS command line or from a batch file by issuing
the following command: timelock !
Given the above command, TimeLock will lock the keyboard and go
resident if not already. It will not replicate itself in memory.
You can also lock the keyboard using a special hot key. Please
refer to the 'setup' section for instructions on setting up the hot
key attention key sequence (#8). The instant lockout hot key
function character is 'L'.
NOTE ON ATTENTION CHARACTER
Reasons for the attention character and what it does:
1)
Since TimeLock disposes of all keystrokes after the keyboard is
locked, there had to be a way to get TimeLock's attention - informing
it to interrogate the following keystrokes for a possible password
match. The attention character informs TimeLock to start paying
attention to what you type - looking for the password.
2)
The attention character flushes any portion of the password you
might have entered. The reason is this: Due to the way TimeLock is
coded, you cannot use the BackSpace key to correct a typing error
made while entering the password - nor will the Esc key erase the
queued keystrokes. If you mis-key a character while entering the
password, you must START OVER by pressing the attention character
followed by the password again.
The Attention Character ALWAYS preceeds the first character of
the password even though it's technically not part of the password.
You do not specify the attention character during TLPatch setup.
It's automatically added by TimeLock at execution. But for the
purpose of using and understanding TimeLock, you can just 'think' of
the attention character as the first password character.
The attention character is the period (.) and cannot be changed.
-------/ Setup /------------------------------------------------------------
Before TimeLock can be used for the first time, you'll need to
run the TLPatch program to configure it. TLPatch sets your password,
all configurable timers, and other items necessary for proper
TimeLock operation.
If you're new to TimeLock then I recommend experimenting first
using low timeout values. Ten to fifteen seconds might be useful.
Once you're familiar with TimeLock's operation you can reconfigure it
with real-world timeout values, etc...
TLPatch does just what the name implies. It patches, or
modifies, the TimeLock.com program file. Therefore you should save
an unconfigured copy of TimeLock for future use. Just keep the .ZIP
file TimeLock was distributed in and you'll be in good shape.
TLPatch will ask a number of questions regarding TimeLock. All
questions with the exception of the password have a default value
that you can use. The original defaults represent good operating
parameters that you might use. But you're always free to change them
to whatever you wish. Subsequent executions of TLPatch against the
same copy of TimeLock will remember all previous parameters -
allowing you to default until you reach items to change.
Below outlines each question asked by TLPatch:
1. Copy of TimeLock to Patch?
-----------------------------
Enter the name of the particular copy of TimeLock you wish to
configure. If it's not in the default directory then specify all
necessary path information.
2. Time to elapse before locking keyboard?
------------------------------------------
Time, in minutes and seconds, that TimeLock will wait before
locking an idle keyboard. Specify as MM:SS (minutes:seconds).
The minimum legal time is 00:06 and the maximum is 59:59. If
either sub-field (MM or SS or both) is less than ten then include a
leading zero - or TLPatch will complain. IE: Nine minutes and five
seconds would be entered as '09:05' and not '9:5'.
3. Keyboard unlock password? Min: 4 chars, Max: 14 chars
---------------------------------------------------------
This is the secret password necessary to unlock the keyboard
once TimeLock has locked it. Legal