This program was written as a way of protecting set directories on a hard disc or network. As an additional feature, protected applications can be run but not opened (shift-double-clicked) to reveal their contents.
Using the program :-
When you first load the program (assuming no-one has used it before you), you will get a message telling you that there is no password set. This is perfectly normal. Click on the shield icon and a large window will appear with a series of writable icons, and some other icons at the bottom. Either drag the directories/applications you want to protect to these icons, or enter the FULL pathname in by hand (note:the pathname must be PERFECT, otherwise the program will not work). Things on floppy discs can be protected as long as the disc has a unique disc name, and that name is not changed. If you change the hard disc name, then the protection will fail too. Sorry about this. I'll try to do a new version sometime which avoids this if there is the demand.
If you run out of space, clicking on the left/right arrows on the sides of the screen will move you between the different "pages". There are a default of 4 pages. Once you have set all the dirs/apps to protect, hit "Save" to save these settings. Then hit "Set password" and type the password you want to use into the writable icon that appears. Hit "Set". This sets the password. Now simply quit the program and re-load. You should find that all the directories you have specified will be closed as soon as they open. If you click on the shield icon, you will be asked for the password again. Enter it and if you enter it correctly (it is case-specific), then the program's edit functions (change the dirs/apps and password) are avaliable, and the directories will open normally. When the program is still protected (until you enter the password), you cannot quit.
That's about it, except for a few other points :-
- It is a good idea to protect the !Shield app, as this prevents people tampering.
- It is an equally good idea to delete this !Help file from the copy you put on the network/hard disc, but keep a backup.
- Deleting the "RTLib" file inside this program will re-set it to its no-password state.
- The program is not perfect - Command-line operations can get round it, and any decent programmer can easily by-pass it.
- Once you have set all the options, put !Shield in your boot sequence or whatever to enable the protection.
This program is FreeWare. It may be freely copied and distributed, providing :-
1) All the files are kept intact and unaltered
2) No profit is made from the distribution
The copyright for this program remains mine at all times.
I hold no responsability for any damage or loss of data caused directly or indirectly by this program.