Click the image to see it in full size...
What is Secure-Runner?
Secure-Runner allows administrators to define list of programs, which limited users can start with administrator rights. This way the administrator can make it possible for limited users to work with programs which require administrator rights to run properly without giving those users full administrator access to the computer.
Click the image to see it in full size...
Do I need this program?
If your computer is used by several people you may find yourself in a situation that some of these users needs to run some program with administrator rights. For example, DVD burning program or some old program which will not run if not started with administrator rights. But you do not want the user to have an administrator account. You just need him/her to be able to start that particular program as administrator. You have the following options:
Create
administrator account for the user
But then the user has full control over the computer. Can mess up any
settings, delete any files or install any virus or spyware.
Give
the user administrator
password and set up a shortcut for that the particular program so that is
started with different user name and password.
But then the user has to type the name and password every time to
start that program which is annoying and for inexperienced users hard to
understand. Experienced user, on the other hand, can misuse the password -
you end up in same situation as with option 1.
Use
Secure-Runner
Then
you can define list of programs which any user can start with administrative rights.
The limited user will start the program as usual, e.g. by clicking on a shortcut on the desktop, but the program will run with administrator rights.
Without typing any password.
How it works?
Secure-Runner provides a system service which acts as a server. Program started by limited user can ask this server to start a program
with administrator privileges. Service makes sure the program is in the list of allowed programs and then starts the program if allowed.
Administrator uses Secure-Runner to create list of programs which can be started
this way. He also enters name and password for administrator accounts which will be used when starting those programs. Secure-Runner encrypts the name and password and saves it in the system registry. The access to the data is limited to administrators, so that the limited users cannot even read the password in encrypted form.
How is it protected from misuse?
Only programs which you allow can be started with
administrator rights. Limited user cannot start any other programs than those on the list, nor he/she can edit the list - it is only allowed to administrators.
The administrator password is saved encrypted and access to the encrypted data is
given only to administrators, so the limited user cannot even read the encrypted
password and try to break it.
How it can be used?
To improve security of your computer - you do not have to give all users administrators accounts just because they need to use the old program which requires administrator rights. You can define certain programs which this user can run with administrative rights.
To start some administrative program without bothering Vista screen..
Examples of programs which often need administrator privileges to work properly
older and even not so old games
old programs designed for Windows 9x or even MS-DOS
programs supplied with digital cameras, scanners, etc.
CD
and DVD burning programs
For more information please take the Securer Runner guided tour.
Windows Vista or Windows XP operating system
1 MB of free hard disk space
Extract the downloaded zip file and run the MSI (windows Installer) file.
Secure Runner is free for home use. You can distribute it freely as long as you do not modify it or distribute it for profit. See license agreement in the program documentation for more information.