Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!uwm.edu!lll-winken!ames!haven!umbc3!wicks
From: wicks@umbc3.UMBC.EDU (Mr. Tony Wicks )
Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga
Subject: Re: Password Program?
Summary: I am writing one but...
Message-ID: <2714@umbc3.UMBC.EDU>
Date: 25 Jan 90 02:21:58 GMT
References: <3308@zehntel.UUCP>
Reply-To: wicks@umbc3.umbc.edu.UMBC.EDU (Mr. Tony Wicks (MMA))
Organization: University of Maryland, Baltimore County
Lines: 39

In article <3308@zehntel.UUCP> donw@zehntel (Don White) writes:
>     Has anyone heard of a program that prompts for a login on our Amys'?

I ami in the process of writeing one but... see below.

>
>     I could write a very limited thing to do this, but my idea would only
>     keep the honest people honest. (And, of course, keep the stupid people
>     stupid.) Is there a professional answer to this question? (Other than
>     NO!?)

Just how secure are you looking for.  I have given this a fair amount
of thought and as far as I can tell you can not really keep a
determined person from getting in if they have the right tools.

Since anybody can reboot with another floppy you ultimately can't
protect an amiga (or any other machine where people can get to your
boot devices.  I have booted an otherwise protected Sun from the tape
drive mounted the root filesystem, and changed the root password.  And
while a Sun isn't the last word in security, the normal access control
will keep out most dishonest people.)  Anyhow, the program I am
writing will use a password file similar to the UNIX passwd file so
that I can support multiple non-simultaneous users.  I intend to have
it setenv a username, generate a home directory assign 
(ie. assign wicks: users:wicks), cd to theat users home directory, and
execute a .login file.  This program will also do it's best to make
sure it stays in front of all the other windows and screens that may
still be up.

>     Thanks,
>     Don W.  Box 271177 Concord, CA. 94527-1177
>     zehntel!donw


-- 
===============================================================================
Tony Wicks, Staff Engineer, Martin Marietta Aero & Naval Systems 
Local MMA&NS Email: wicks@mst1 -- 301-682-2883 (Desk) 301-682-0975 (Lab)
INTERNET: wicks@mst1.bal.mmc.com -or- wicks@umbc3.umbc.edu