HD-PRO for PC Security

Oct 18, 1996

Abstract

A significant amount of transaction processing is done using single user, DOS-based PC systems. In particular this is common in Pakistan. This type of environment is a sure recipe for trouble ( given DOS's non-existent security system ) in the form of important data being accessed by unauthorized persons.

In this talk, I will describe one solution I developed in software. HD-PRO is a hard disk protection system that simulates a security system in DOS by providing security of program and data at the partition level of the hard disk. There is separate protection for the Primary DOS partition and for all the drives in the Extended DOS partition. This is done by the installation of a protection routine in the hard disk's Master Boot Record for Primary partition and Boot Records for all the drives in the Extended partition.

The solution recognizes the importance of resource utilization in computers and allows any other drives such as floppy disk drives and CD-ROM drives to work normally.

The system has been programmed in assembly for the 8088 processor and is compatible with 80286, 80386 and 80486 machines.

HD-PRO finds application in business, banking, hospitals, home computing and in other areas where single user computing is done.