ENABLING SECURE USAGE OF COMPUTERS USING A MECHANISM LOCKDOWN

摘要

A computer-implemented method for selectively enabling and disabling at least one ofa plurality of functions of a host operating system and for selectively enabling and disabling at least one of a plurality of host components includes the following steps: activating a locking mechanism in the host system for disabling systemaccess, wherein the locking mechanism includes switches and component control storage; activating component settings for selectively enabling and disabling components of the system, wherein the component settings are controlled by manipulating the switches; activating system settings for selectivelyenabling and disabling functions of the system, wherein the system settings are controlled by manipulating the switches; activating system passwords, component passwords and encryption keys; and locking the systemaccording to the selected settings. An information processing system includes amaster access control mechanism for enabling and disabling one or more components of the system when the system is in privileged system mode, depending on whether the systemboots from internal or external media.