iClose-Up Internet Security:

iClose-Up Internet security describes the security involved when you use iClose-Up on the Internet.  Where the iClose-Up Client goes through the Internet (by modem, cable modem, xDSL, T1 etc.) to connect to an iClose-Up Server.

 

iClose-Up works with and enhances Windows security.  When you connect to an iClose-Up Server the security on that iClose-Up Server is the inherent Windows security for the operating system on the iClose-Up server.  The only time iClose-Up uses its own security is for Remote Control.

 

It does not matter what operating system you are using on the iClose-Up Client side.  All security is determined by the operating system on the iClose-Up Server computer. 

 

 

Difference between connecting into a Windows NT/2000/XP and a Windows 95/98/Me computer: 

 

There are two big differences, to keep in mind, between connecting into an iClose-Up Server that is running Windows NT/2000/XP, and one that is running Windows 95/98/Me.  You have much more flexibility connecting into a Windows NT/2000/XP computer.  First, the Windows NT/2000/XP computer does not have to be logged in.  Where a Windows 95/98/Me computer has to be logged in for you to connect.  Second, when connecting to a Windows NT/2000/XP computer you log into it, with your own user space (rights).  You do not share the user rights with who ever is sitting at and logged into the iClose-Up Server computer.  And anyone connecting in after you, while you are still connected, will get their own user space if they use a different user name then you did to login.  On the other hand if you are connecting to a Windows 95/98/Me computer you do not login when connecting, and you share the user space with who ever may be sitting at and logged in on the iClose-Up Server computer.  And anyone connecting in after you will share the same user space with you. 

 

 

If the iClose-Up Server is running on a Windows NT/2000/XP computer: 

 

When you are connecting to a Windows NT/2000/XP computer if the user name and password with which you logged into your iClose-Up Client computer is valid on the iClose-Up Server computer, then you will not be asked for a User Name and Password.  If your user name and password are not valid on the Windows NT/2000/XP computer (or you did not log in on the iClose-Up Client computer) you will be asked for a User Name, Password and Domain.  If a person is sitting at and using the Windows NT/2000/XP iClose-Up Server that you are connecting into, you will log into your own user account space, and not interfere or use the user account that the person that is sitting at the iClose-Up Server is using.  As a matter of fact you can have up to 60,000 iClose-Up Clients simultaneously connect to the iClose-Up Server and each can have their own user space.  In addition you can have up to 20,000 users simultaneously doing file transfers.  The only time that different users will not be in their own user space is when a remote control session is started.  When remote control is started (if everyone has allowed conferencing) all the users will be in a group conference, including the person who is sitting at the iClose-Up Server. 

 

If the iClose-Up Server computer you connect to is on a network, you can browse down through the network to other computers and fileservers.  If User Name you logged into the iClose-Up Server computer with, does not give you rights to these other computers and fileservers then you will be asked for a User Name and Password for these other computers and fileservers, this allows you to assume multiple identities.  Every time you go to a new resource that your existing User Names and Passwords will not allow you to access, you will be allowed to assume a new identity by entering a new User Name and Password.  When you connect from an iClose-Up Client to an iClose-Up Server what you can see and access in Windows Explorer on the Client side, looking at the server, is exactly what you could see and access if you were sitting at the Server side computer. 

 

You can access the local hard drive of the iClose-Up Server computer through Windows Share points or through iClose-Up Access points.  By default iClose-Up is installed with an iClose-Up Access Point usually on your “C” drive, without a password.  Since NT/2000/XP is protected by user level security, which means you had to log in, it is not necessary to put a password on your iClose-Up Access Points on a NT/2000/XP iClose-Up Server computer..  To learn more about iClose-Up Access points and Windows Share points see “iClose-Up Hard Drive Security” by right clicking on the red iClose-Up triangles in the lower right of your screen and selecting “Security for This Computer”.

 

Warning, by default iClose-Up is installed without a Remote Control password.  We strongly suggest that you put in a Remote Control password.  See “iClose-Up Remote Control Security” by right clicking on the red iClose-Up triangles in the lower right of your screen and selecting “Security for This Computer”.

 

 

If the iClose-Up Server is running on a Windows 95/98/Me computer: 

 

When you are connecting to a Windows 95/98/Me computer you will not be asked to login.  You can access the local hard drive of this iClose-Up Server computer through Windows Share points or through iClose-Up Access points.  By default iClose-Up is installed with an iClose-Up Access Point usually on your “C” drive, without a password.  We strongly suggest that you put a password on this access point.  To learn more about iClose-Up Access points and Windows Share points see “iClose-Up Hard Drive Security” by right clicking on the red iClose-Up triangles in the lower right of your screen and selecting “Security for This Computer”.

 

When you connect to an iClose-Up Server you share the user space (rights) with who ever may be logged in on the iClose-Up Server computer.  You can have up to 60,000 iClose-Up Clients connect to the iClose-Up Server but they will all share the user space.  In addition you can have up to 20,000 users simultaneously doing file transfers.  When remote control is started (if everyone has allowed conferencing) all the users will be in a group conference, including the person who is sitting at the iClose-Up Server. 

 

If the iClose-Up Server computer you connect to is on a network, you can browse down through the network to other computers and fileservers.  If the user who logged into the physical iClose-Up Server does not have access to other computers and fileservers, then you will not be able to access these other resources either.  When you connect from an iClose-Up Client to an iClose-Up Server what you can see and access in Windows Explorer on the Client side, looking at the server, is exactly what you could see and access if you were sitting at the Server side computer. 

 

 

Warning, by default iClose-Up is installed without a Remote Control password.  We strongly suggest that you put in a Remote Control password.  See “iClose-Up Remote Control Security” by right clicking on the red iClose-Up triangles in the lower right of your screen and selecting “Security for This Computer”.

 

 

Using iClose-Up on the Internet: 

 

If you are using iClose-Up on the Internet you may want to remove or unbind “File and printer sharing for Microsoft Networks”.  If you are concerned about security on the Internet most people feel removing or unbinding “File and printer sharing for Microsoft Networks” (which gives access to Windows Share Points) is the safest configuration.  You would remove or unbind “File and printer sharing for Microsoft Networks” from the Dial-Up adaptor (if you get on the Internet by modem) or from your Network adaptor (if you get on the Internet by a constant connection like Cable Modem, xDSL, T1 or ISDN).  If you are using Windows 95/98/Me it is pretty easy to remove or if you prefer unbind “File and printer sharing for Microsoft Networks”.  If you are using Win NT/2000/XP it is generally better to unbind (verses removing) “File and printer sharing for Microsoft Networks”.  Note that it is much harder to unbind on Win NT/2000/XP then it is on Windows 95/98/Me.

 

Another precaution on the Internet that many people consider valuable is to use a Firewall to protect your computer from intruders on the Internet.  You will want to see the chapter in this help file called “Firewalls and Ports”, to open the ports that iClose-Up needs.