From: philipg@stolaf.edu (Philip Guenther) Subject: Re: Linus security/Non root access Date: 22 Aug 1992 18:41:33 GMT
>Frank Pikelner (frank@cs.yorku.ca) wrote:
>
> I'd like to find out if it is possible to say install several machines
> to run Linux and allow the public to use them. The problem I'm trying
> to resolve is I need the machines to have access to a floppy drive,
> but I do not want anyone to be able to boot the machine using their
> own floppy, and maybe gain access as root.
>
> One solution I can think of is getting a machine that has a password
> protected BIOS, and allows the change in the boot order with the
> hard drive first. I would love to hear other ideas, if any do exist.
How about just removing floppy A? If they want to mount a floppy they
can use B. The only real question with this is whether the
non-existence of A will send the boot prom into terminal panic (I
confess that I haven't tried this). If this does work, I would
further suggest removing the devices for floppy A do prevent the
kernel from ever trying to read a non-existent drive.
guenther@stolaf.edu or philipg@cna.tek.com I speak for myself only:
no one else would be silly enough to claim I speak for them...
"Life makes sense?! LIFE MAKES SENSE!?! Where do people get these ideas?"-me