XyLoc patches security holes in Windows 95/98

As an added bonus, XyLoc may be the key to resolving the seemingly irresolvable

tension between ease of access and security that has caused headaches for

many users of Microsoft Corp.'s Windows 95 and Windows 98 operating systems.

As every administrator knows, Windows software, by its very design,

aims to streamline a user's access to network resources. Unfortunately,

the design allows unauthorized users to power on a computer running Windows

95/98 and hit the escape key or click the cancel button to obtain access

to the PC's desktop.

XyLoc addresses this security hole by adding a layer of security to

the Windows 95/98 boot sequence.

During the XyLoc installation, users can choose to enable Secure Logon

Protection for Windows 95/98. Upon first log-on, users are asked to enter

their XyLoc password and then their network log-in password.

From then on, the XyLoc Secure Login will take control of the log-in

sequence; it becomes the first and only screen users can log in to. XyLoc

will automatically log users into the Windows or Novell network upon authorization

of the XyLoc password.

Enabling the XyLoc Secure Login feature also automatically disables

the Safe Mode boot option offered by Windows 95/98, which closes another

security hole. However, a system can still be booted from a floppy disk

unless the boot sequence is changed.

To achieve the highest level of security with Windows 95/98, Ensure

Technologies recommends changing the boot sequence to disable booting from

a floppy and password-protecting the system BIOS. However, since Safe Mode

booting is no longer accessible, users should create a boot disk floppy

before enabling this security feature.