How do I password protect Netscape Navigator?

[CityOfAngels]

I used to use Internet Explorer, but my dad the dumbass doesn't know what he's doing, and has turned it into this mess:

For almost a year, I've been using Netscape Navigator and sometimes NetCaptor whenever I need IE capabilities. Now that my dad is fed up with his own misdoings, HE is using Netscape Navigator. I need to find out how to password protect it so he doesn't do the same thing to my precious WORKING browser.
Please help! Also, if you know how to password protect NetCaptor, that would be even more of a help! Thank you!!

P.S. For your information, neither Spybot: Search and Destroy NOR Norton Utilities will fix any of those problems with IE.

[trache]

If you're using Windows 2000/XP you could always restrict his executing Netscape and NetCaptor with security permissions on the program files themselves. I don't think there is a way to password protect them within Windows.

With Netscape Suite/Navigator and Mozilla Firefox I'm quite sure that each users environment is confined, that is to say, any changes to your fathers setup will not affect your own (or rather, they shouldn't).

I would suggest Mozilla Firefox. I've had a very good experience using it (and have for a long while now). Although my profile does get screwed up every now and again, the convience of the folder-full of settings (instead of the Windows registry) makes it easy to backup and restore or hose manually if I have to.

Don't have your dad start using NetCaptor period. Without having used NetCaptor and only looking at the screenshots, it does in fact look like it uses the Internet Explorer HTML Rendering engine, which probably also means it supports technologies like ActiveX. Which means he'll be able to install popups etc without his knowledge.

From the screenshot, it looks like you have some BHOs installed on your Internet Explorer. Use Windows Add/Remove programs to get rid of the ones that play nicely (like Google, if you want) and use HijackThis! to remove the ones that do not. Run it separately for each user profile.

Upgrade Spybot, it is invaluable and it does work as intended.

In my experience Norton Utilities (or Cleansweep if thats in fact what you're using) does not do a great job.

[nothingx]

Are you a programmer?

It should be pretty easy to write some sort of program that will "infect" an arbitrary executable, so that instead of running, it first prompts for a password. I used the word "infect" because it reminds me of how viruses typcially work (viruses, not worms).

Lets see.... it's Saturday afternoon and I'm bored... I think I'll try coding up something...

Edit:

Looks like its already been done...

Short version -
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Akala EXE Lock can protect any executable file from non-authorized execution. It asks each time the program is loaded the password you have set.

Long version -
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If you're not the only one who has access to your computer then I'd bet that there are certain programs and files you don't want others accessing. There are a multitude of options on how to go about doing this. There are encryption programs, programs that restrict access to portions of your computer, programs that make your files invisible. You get the general idea. A novel approach to the problem lies in Akala EXE Lock.

Akala EXE Lock password protects any program currently residing on your hard drive. An attempt to run a program that's locked down will result in a dialoge box launching asking for the password. Failure to provide the correct password prevents the program from fully launching.

Akala EXE Lock is most useful in situations where you want to stop people from getting to certain files but don't want to deal with hassle of constantly encrypting and decrypting those files every time you want to use them. For example, password protecting your copy of the Real Player negates the need to lock down every single Real audio/video clip on your computer that you want protected.

Akala EXE Lock is great for keeping people out of your personal stuff (locking Quicken so your kids can't snoop through your bank accounts) and for preventing unauthorized use of programs they weren't meant to touch. For example games on your computer or PIMS, etc.

[CityOfAngels]

Wow! Thanks sooo much! I'll look into those suggestions and let you know how it goes! Again: THANK YOU!

[beejay]

"Wrapper" is a much better description than "infect"...

Why don't you use separate profiles? Your dad's IE settings shouldn't follow from his profile to yours. And, as a bonus, he can't track your porn adventures as easily!