Program
Sentry Instruction Manual
Program Sentry is a software program for Windows
95/98/Me/2000/XP/XP/Vista (does not work on NT computers) that allows
you to control what programs can be run on your computer. Program
Sentry can operate in one of two modes. In the blocked program mode,
you can either specify a list of programs that are not allowed to run
on the computer (forbidden programs). In the allowed program mode, you
can specify a list of programs that are allowed to run on the computer,
and no other programs will be allowed. Which mode you use basically
depends on whether you have a few programs you want to prevent people
from using, or a few programs you want to allow people to use.
You can assign a password to each program on your list. In either mode,
if you supply a password, the user can input the password to allow the
program to run. This allows you to set up the computer so that several
people using the computer will each be allowed access to the specific
programs you want them to use. In the blocked program mode, if you do
not provide a password, the program is completely blocked and cannot be
run. In the allowed program mode, if you do not provide a password, the
allowed program is always allowed to run, and no password is required
to use that program. Passwords are useful if you want various
individuals to have access to various different programs. You can give
each person the passwords to the programs you want them to use.
There is also an option to stop all blocking, thus allowing all
programs to run. This option is protected by a supervisor level
password. This allows the supervisor to switch off program blocking to
allow full use of all programs.
Initializing
Program Sentry
When you first run Program Sentry, it will ask you to set an administer
password. The administrator password is required to add programs to the
allowed or blocked list, to remove programs from the lists, or to alter
features of the programs such as their passwords. It can be used in
place of the supervisor password to temporarily turn off blocking. It
is also required to uninstall Program Sentry. Note: Passwords are case
sensitive. This means, for example, that "Good" is not the same as
"good" or "GOOD". Be sure to remember the EXACT password you select,
including capitalization.
After you input the administrator password, Program Sentry will ask you
to set the supervisor password. The supervisor password will be
required to temporarily turn off all blocking. It does not allow you to
change any settings, such as what programs are on the blocked or
allowed list. Note: Passwords are case sensitive. This means, for
example, that "Good" is not the same as "good" or "GOOD". Be sure to
remember the EXACT password you select, including capitalization.
Program Sentry will then ask you to select the blocking type you want
to use. This can be No Blocking, Block specific programs, or Block all
programs except allowed programs. Select which type of blocking you
prefer and click on the Ok button.
Program Sentry will then ask you to add programs to the blocked or
allowed list (depending on which type of blocking you selected). Follow
the instructions on the screen to add programs. When you finish adding
programs, Program Sentry will go to the main screen.
Registering
Program Sentry
From the time you first run Program Sentry, you have a 30-day trial
period to evaluate it. During that time, Program Sentry will be fully
functional. If you decide you like Program Sentry, you should register
and pay for it. At the end of the trial period, if you do not pay for
Program Sentry and input the registration code you receive, most
functions of Program Sentry (such as the ability to unblock programs
using the passwords) will be deactivated. They will be reactivated when
you input the registration code.
There are several ways to pay for Program Sentry. The easiest way to
register a single copy is to go to the LeithauserResearch.com site.
From there, you can go to the payment page (links are in the third
paragraph on the home page). Scroll down the page to the place where
Program Sentry is listed. Input the serial number that appears on the
registration screen for Program Sentry (the screen that asks you to
register and input your registration code) and then click on the
"PayPal buy now" button. You will be sent the registration code by
email. You will normally receive this code within a day, although it
may take a little longer under unusual circumstances (Internet
problems, etc.).
You can also pay for Program Sentry by clicking on the Print button to
print a form. You can then mail this form to the address given on the
form or fax it to the fax number given on the form. You can pay by
enclosing a check or by filling out the credit card information on the
form. You can also pay by phone using your credit card. The number to
call is 386-410-6769.
Volume discounts are available. Call 386-410-6769 or send an email to
[email protected] with information on how many copies you want to
license for a price quote.
Main
screen
If you have added any programs to the blocked or allowed program list
and assigned passwords to any of these programs, a list of password
protected programs will appear on the main screen. You can click on one
of these programs on the list to select it.
If the program you select is currently blocked, a password input box
and an unblock button will appear below the list. The unblock button
will initially be disabled, but once you input a password, it will be
enabled. Click on this button, and if the password is correct, the
program will no longer be blocked. Note: Passwords are case sensitive.
This means, for example, that "Good" is not the same as "good" or
"GOOD". Be sure to input the EXACT password, including capitalization.
There is a check box above the password input box. If you check this
box, the password you type will be masked. This means that each
character will be shown as an asterisk (*), regardless of what you
type. This allows you to input passwords without anyone being able to
see what you are typing. If you are concerned about people seeing what
you are typing, click on this box to check it. If you want to be able
to see the password as you type it, leave the box unchecked.
If the program is already unblocked when you select it from the list,
no password box will appear, but the button (now labeled "block") will
appear. No password is required to reactivate blocking on a program.
At the top of the main screen are a series of menus. The are:
Files
There are two options under the Files menu.
Uninstall Program Sentry. If you select this option, Program Sentry
will ask for the administrative password. If you provide the correct
password, Program Sentry will be totally removed from your computer.
You should only use this option if you have decided that you do not
want to use Program Sentry ever again.
Note: You can also uninstall Program Sentry by running the Windows
Control Panel and using the "Add and Remove Programs" program (called
"Programs and Features" in Vista).
The second option under the Files menu is to exit Program Sentry. This
closes down the Program Sentry controller, but does not stop blocking.
In fact, any blocking that has been turned off by the Program Sentry
control panel will be reactivated. This includes individual programs
whose blocking has been deactivated through their individual passwords
or the "deactivate blocking" function (explained below). The only
programs that will not be blocked are programs that are not on the
blocked program list if you are in "Blocked Programs" mode or programs
that are on the allowed programs list in the "Allowed Programs" mode
AND have no passwords assigned to them.
Deactivate
Blocking
Clicking on this causes Program Sentry to ask for the supervisor
password. The administrative password can be used in place of the
supervisor password. If the correct password is input, all program
blocking is deactivated. The menu caption changes to "Activate
Blocking." No password is required to reactivate blocking.
The "Deactivate Blocking" function allows a supervisor to use all
programs on a computer freely. This allows you to use Program Sentry as
a master controller, among other things. For example, suppose a parent
wants to prevent their children from using certain computer programs
(like Internet Explorer or email) when they are not home. They can
block these programs using Program Sentry. When they get home and can
supervise their children, they can use the "Deactivate Blocking"
function to allow their children to use all these programs at once.
Note that all blocking is reactivated when you exit (end) the Program
Sentry control program. This is to protect you from accidentally
leaving blocking turned off. All blocking is also activated when you
restart Windows.
Unlock
When you click on the Unlock menu, Program Sentry will ask for your
Administrator password. Once you provide this password, the menu
caption will change to "Lock" and several functions (found under the
"Configure" menu) will be enabled. These functions are "Set Blocking
Type", "Add Blocked Programs", "Edit Blocked Programs", "Add Allowed
Programs", and "Edit Allowed Programs". Note that the "Add Blocked
Programs" and "Edit Blocked Programs" menu items are only visible if
the blocking type is "Block specific programs". The "Add Allowed
Programs" and "Edit Allowed Programs" menu items are only visible if
the blocking type is "Block all programs except allowed programs".
These options are explained below.
Set
Blocking Type
This option (under the "Configuration" menu) allows you to set the
blocking mode you want Program Sentry to use. When you select this menu
option, you will see a window with three option buttons. These are:
1)
No blocking. Blocking turned off. - When you set this, blocking is
turned off indefinitely, even if you exit Program Sentry or turn the
computer off and then on again. You would use this only if you want to
turn off all blocking for an extended period of time, several days at
least.
2)
Block specific programs - In this mode, Program Sentry blocks the
programs you have put on the blocked programs list. No other programs
are blocked. You would use this mode if you want people who have access
to the computer to be able to use it freely, except for certain
specific programs you do not want them to be able to use. A typical
example would be a parent who wants their children to be able to play
games and use word processors and such, but want to prevent them from
getting on the Internet until the parents get home and can supervise.
In this mode, programs that do not have a password assigned to them can
only be run if the "Deactivate Blocking" option is used, which disables
all blocking. Programs that have a password assigned to them can be
individually unblocked. This is useful if you want various people to be
able to use various programs. You can give each person the passwords to
the programs you want them to use.
3)
Block all programs except allowed programs - This mode is the
reciprocal of blocking mode 2. In this mode, any program not on the
list of allowed programs is blocked all the time (unless "Deactivate
Blocking" is used). If a program on the list of allowed programs has no
password assigned to it, that program is allowed to run all the time.
If a password is assigned to the program, you must input the password
from the main Program Sentry screen to unblock it.
Select the option you prefer and click on the OK button. Program Sentry
will then return to the main screen.
Add
blocked program
This option allows you to add programs to the list of blocked programs.
When you select it, you will see the "Add blocked programs" screen.
To add a program to the list of blocked programs, run the program you
want to block. If it is already running, click on the program screen to
give that program the focus. Blocking is turned off while this screen
is active, so you can run the programs without them being blocked.
When you run another program, the name for that program will appear in
the "Name" text box. The "Add blocked programs" screen will stay in
front of other programs that are running, so you can see this clearly.
The name that appears in the box is taken from the title bar of the
program. If there is no title bar, the executable file name for the
program is shown.
Below the name text box is the password text box. If you want the
program to be blocked all the time, do not put in a password. If you
want to allow some people to run the program but not others, input a
password. If you provide a password, the name of the blocked program
will appear on the main Program Sentry screen and people will be able
to select it and then input a password to unblock it temporarily. Note:
Passwords are case sensitive. This means, for example, that "Good" is
not the same as "good" or "GOOD". Be sure to remember the EXACT
password you select, including capitalization.
Once you have the program title and (optionally) password in their
respective text boxes, click on the "Add" button to add that program to
the list of blocked programs. The name will be added to the list at the
bottom of the screen.
You can repeat this process to add as many programs as you like to the
blocked program list. When you are finished, click on the Close button.
This screen will disappear and the main screen will reappear. Blocking
is then reactivated.
Edit
Blocked Programs
This option allows you to remove blocked programs or to edit the
properties (displayed name and password) of programs already on the
blocked program list. When you select this option, you will see the
"Blocked Program Editor" window.
To edit or remove a program, first click on the program on the list.
The name of the program will appear in the Name text box. If you have
assigned a password to the program, that password will appear in the
password text box. To remove the program from the list, click on the
"Remove" button. If you want to change the displayed name, edit the
name in the text box. To change the password, change that in the text
box. After changing either of these, click on the "Change" button to
cause the change to take effect. You can change as many programs as you
like. When you are finished, click on the "Close" button. You will go
back to the main screen. Blocking is deactivated while the "Blocked
Program Editor" window is on the screen. Blocking is reactivated when
you close this screen.
Add
Allowed Program
This option allows you to add programs to the list of allowed programs.
When you select it, you will see the "Add Allowed Programs" screen.
To add a program to the list of allowed programs, run the program you
want to allow. If it is already running, click on the program screen to
give that program the focus. Blocking is turned off while this screen
is active, so you can run the programs without them being allowed.
When you run another program, the name for that program will appear in
the "Name" text box. The "Add Allowed Programs" screen will stay in
front of other programs that are running, so you can see this clearly.
The name that appears in the box is taken from the title bar of the
program. If there is no title bar, the executable file name for the
program is shown.
Below the name text box is the password text box. If you want the
program to be allowed all the time, do not put in a password. If you
want to allow some people to run the program but not others, input a
password. If you provide a password, the name of the allowed program
will appear on the main Program Sentry screen and people will be able
to select it and then input a password to unblock it temporarily. Note:
Passwords are case sensitive. This means, for example, that "Good" is
not the same as "good" or "GOOD". Be sure to remember the EXACT
password you select, including capitalization.
Once you have the program title and (optionally) password in their
respective text boxes, click on the "Add" button to add that program to
the list of allowed programs. The name will be added to the list at the
bottom of the screen.
You can repeat this process to add as many programs as you like to the
allowed program list. When you are finished, click on the Close button.
This screen will disappear and the main screen will reappear. Blocking
is then reactivated.
Edit
Allowed Programs
This option allows you to remove allowed programs or to edit the
properties (displayed name and password) of programs already on the
allowed program list. When you select this option, you will see the
"Allowed Program Editor" window.
To edit or remove a program, first click on the program on the list.
The name of the program will appear in the Name text box. If you have
assigned a password to the program, that password will appear in the
password text box. To remove the program from the list, click on the
"Remove" button. If you want to change the displayed name, edit the
name in the text box. To change the password, change that in the text
box. After changing either of these, click on the "Change" button to
cause the change to take effect. You can change as many programs as you
like. When you are finished, click on the "Close" button. You will go
back to the main screen. Blocking is deactivated while the "Allowed
Program Editor" window is on the screen. Blocking is reactivated when
you close this screen.
Change
Administrator Password
This option under the Configure menu will allow you to change the
Administrator password. You would use this if you suspect that someone
has learned the password. When you select this option, it will first
ask you for the current administrator password. Once you input the
correct password, Program Sentry will ask you to input a new
administrator password. Note: Passwords are case sensitive. This means,
for example, that "Good" is not the same as "good" or "GOOD". Be sure
to remember the EXACT password you select, including capitalization.
Change
Supervisor Password
This option under the Configure menu will allow you to change the
supervisor password. You would use this if you suspect that someone has
learned the password. When you select this option, it will first ask
you for the current supervisor password. You can input the supervisor
OR the administrator password. This allows the administrator to change
the supervisor password if the supervisor is replaced. Once you input
the correct password, Program Sentry will ask you to input a new
supervisor password. Note: Passwords are case sensitive. This means,
for example, that "Good" is not the same as "good" or "GOOD". Be sure
to remember the EXACT password you select, including capitalization.
Bug
reports, help requests, suggestions
If you need help with this program, have found a bug, or have a request
for additional feature, please contact Leithauser Research. The best
way is to send an email to [email protected]. You can also call
Leithauser Research at 386-410-6769 .
If you are suggesting an additional feature or other improvement, we
will make these changes and release a new version soon if we believe
these improvements would have broad appeal. You will be notified when
the new version is released. If we feel that the changes you suggest
are not commercially viable, we can still create a custom version of
Program Sentry for you for a fee. Contact Leithauser Research if you
are interested in this.