Copyright: Copyright 1998 The Family (Thailand)


What Is Night Security?
 Night Security Help

To learn more about using help press F1 now.

 What is Night Security?

Night Security is a program that sets up your entire shutdown for you without you having to do much.

(For more information on why it's a good idea to have a shutdown see Why do I need a Secure Shutdown)

The Night Security Checklist lets you select the different items you want it to do. Click here for more info on setting up your Checklist.

Secure Shutdown 'does' the Security on your computer running all the different items you checked in your checklist. Click here for more info on running it.

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Why Do I Need a Secure Shutdown
 Why do I need a Secure Shutdown?

As mentioned in the Charter:

[9.] C. Computer files (other than programs) must be kept encrypted, and be "wiped" after they have been erased.

In other words you need to encrypt all your data and make sure that the unencrypted data isn't hanging around on your hard disk somewhere. This is possible in all sorts of ways, here's some of the most common:

For starters if a file is in you Recycle Bin anyone can get it out until it's actually been emptied. The Empty Recycle Bin Item on the checklist can take care of this one.

(more info)

When files are deleted they aren't actually removed from your hard disk even if you empty your recycle bin. Just the name is removed from a sorta index. For this reason you need to make sure to wipe the free space on your hard disk every night. The Wipe Free Space Item in the checklist does this for you.

(more info)

A lot of programs create temporary files when they run. Most of the time they remove those files. But if something goes funny (your computer crashes etc…) those files can still be around. The Empty Temp Folder item on the checklist will clear those out for you.

(more info)

If you're on a Network, then data you view on your Intranet can still be on your computer in the 'Temporary Internet Files' Folder. The Clear Temporary Internet Files item can clear'm out.

(more info)

Windows uses a file called a swap file to provide memory to programs if there isn't enough. Don't worry about the details, but there can be unencrypted data hiding in that file. The Delete Windows Swap File item on the checklist will take care of that one.

(more info)

Sometimes if you've had  a computer crash there can be data hiding out in little nooks and crannies of your computer called lost clusters. To make sure they're cleared up check off the Check Hard Disk for Lost Clusters item on the checklist.

(more info)

The WXPY Shutdown does a great job of encrypting all your files and backing them up, but setting up a batch file system for wiping your hard drive outside of Windows and taking care of all the rest of the above weird stuff is a little complex.

Now you don't have to worry about any of those specifics, just fill out your checklist.

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 Troubleshooting

 Hey, the Checklist is empty

In most cases uninstalling the program and reinstalling it will fix this problem. Here's how:

1	Choose 'Add/Remove Programs' from the Control Panel.

2	From the list of programs choose 'Night Security 2.0,' and click the 'Add/Remove…' button.

3	After it's done reboot and then run the Setup program on the Night Security Install Disk

 It keeps stopping while encrypting my files

Menu Extension won't encrypt files that are read only, and stops to tell you about it. Here's how to change a file so it's not read only.

1	Note the name of the file that it stops on, and find that same file in Explorer.

2	Right click on the file and select 'Properties' from the menu that pops up.

3	Make sure the 'Read Only' check box isn't checked.

4	Click 'OK' to save your changes

One other thing to keep in mind is that you have any files open, it'll also stop on them. Make sure to close all your programs before starting your Secure Shutdown.

 Man, this sure takes a long time to wipe

Check how much free space you have on your hard disk. If there's lots over 500 MB or so you may want to copy some ballast over to fill it up. These files would only be temporarily on your hard disk, so when you need the space you can remove them.

You could try copying some folders from the HomeARC.

 It's telling me it can't find WXPY

Try Reinstalling Menu Extension.

1	Choose 'Add/Remove Programs' from the Control Panel.

2	From the list of programs choose 'Menu Extension,' and click the 'Add/Remove…' button.

3	After it's done reboot.

4	Insert the HomeARC Setup CD and select 'Menu Extension' setup from the window that pops up.

 I just installed Menu Extension, but I get a big white dialog box whenever I try to XPY something or do my Secure Shutdown

This can happen, if you haven't installed the HomeARC but are trying to use Menu Extension. (If you're using Windows NT see the next question)

The simplest solution is just to install the HomeARC and after you reboot everything should work fine. If for some reason you can't do that, or it doesn't work, try the following.

1	Copy the file 'memctrl.com' from your HomeARC 98 Setup CD to the root folder on your hard disk (ie: C:\). You'll find this file in the '\Win95\Util' folder on the CD.

2	Open your 'autoexec.bat' file using notepad.

3	Add the following line to the bottom of the file:

C:\MEMCTRL.COM /i

4	Save the file and reboot your computer.

 Can I run Night Security on Windows NT?

Yes, Night Security is completely compatible with Windows NT 4.0 and higher.

Some of the DOS options, like 'Delete Swap File' won't run because you just can't do that on Windows NT. The remainder of the DOS Options that work run in a DOS Window, since you can't exit to DOS under Windows NT.

On the other hand the current version of Menu Extension, which Night Security uses for it's encryption, is not compatible. So you have to do your own encryption before starting the Secure Shutdown.

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 Your Night Security Checklist

Here's how to fill out your checklist. The following only needs to be done once. Since Night Security uses the program 'Menu Extension' that comes with the HomeARC to encrypt your files, you'll need to have that installed. See the Troubleshooting page for info on how to install it.

 Setting up Menu Extension

First you have to tell Menu Extension which files you want to encrypt:

1	Choose 'Programs | Heavenly Helpers | Menu Extension' from the Start Menu.

2	Click the 'WXPY Options' button, and in the box that pops up click the 'Shutdown XPY' tab.

3	By clicking the 'Browse' button you can select the folders you want to encrypt.

4	Click 'OK' in all the boxes after you're done.

 Filling out the Checklist

Now it's time to fill out your Night Security Checklist and tell it what exactly you want it to do. For more info on the different options see 'Why do I need a Secure Shutdown.'

1	Choose 'Programs | Night Security | Night Security Checklist' from the Start Menu.

2	Click the 'Next' button and you'll be presented with a list of all the different things that Night Security can do while still in Windows before actually shutting down your computer. Normally you'd select all of them.

3	After you're done there click the 'Next' button to go to the list of things that happen after exiting Windows. As above normally you'd select all these options. The Wipe Free Space option is especially important.

4	Click the 'Finish' button to save your choices.

 Checklist Items

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 Using the Secure Shutdown

(ie: 'doing security')

Here's how you'll use the Secure Shutdown every night. Depending on your computer this could take between 5 and 20 minutes.

 Doing Security

1	Make sure all your programs are closed.

2	Choose 'Secure Shutdown' from the top of your Start Menu.

3	If prompted enter your password twice.

Secure Shutdown will appear in the top left corner of your screen and a bunch of other boxes and progress bars will show up as it's doing it's work. After a while it'll shutdown Windows and run some different programs. By and by it should wipe your hard disk.

Don't actually turn off your computer till you see the 'It's now safe to turn off your computer' message.

 Problems?

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Advanced Wizard
 The Advanced Wizard

The Advanced Wizard lets you tweak all the settings to your heart's content.

You can also drag the different items options to change their order in the shutdown. However remember that it's almost always best to have the 'Wipe Free Space' item last.

 Checklist Items

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 WXPY Shutdown

This item encrypts your data and optionally backs it up. Night Security uses the Menu Extension program from the HomeARC for it's encryption and backup.

 Setting up your WXPY Shutdown

First you have to tell Menu Extension which files you want to encrypt:

1	Choose 'Programs | Heavenly Helpers | Menu Extension' from the Start Menu.

2	Click the 'WXPY Options' button, and in the box that pops up click the 'Shutdown XPY' tab.

3	By clicking the 'Browse' button you can select the folders you want to encrypt.

4	Click 'OK' in all the boxes after you're done.

 Advanced Properties

Disable Password

Use this option to remove your password from memory after the encrypting is finished. If you don't turn off your computer and you password is still in memory other's can open your files, so it's a good idea to keep this set.

 Other Checklist Items

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 DOS Options

The different items you select in the DOS Section of your checklist all get run after exiting Windows. These include things such as wiping the free space on your hard disk and other clean up tasks that can't (or shouldn't be) run in Windows.

Remember that it's almost always best to have the 'Wipe Free Space' item enabled. That's the whole reason you do your shutdown.

(See: Why do I need a Secure Shutdown for more info)

 Checklist Items

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 Windows Options

The different items you select in the Windows Section of your checklist all get run before actually exiting Windows. These include things such as encrypting your data, or emptying your Recycle Bin.

Night Security uses 'Menu Extension' for it's encryption. Here's how to set that up.

 Checklist Items

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 Clear Temporary Internet Files

Stored in your Temporary Internet Files folder is a cache of everything you browse in your web browser. If you're on a Network and use an Intranet, this item can be used to clear out any sensitive data you view.

Also since your Temporary Internet Files folder can baloon in size this could also be used to help keep it trim.

By default this item clears out all your Temporary Internet Files, however using the Advanced Properties you can specify which files to clear.

(Note that this item might not be installed. If it doesn't appear in the list, rerun the Night Security Setup and make sure to choose 'Network Components.')

 Advanced Properties

All the files in the Temporary Internet Files come from one server or another. In the Advanced Properties you can specify which servers' files you want to clear. This can be useful if you only want to clear sensitive information in the cache from one or two servers.

Adds as server to the list.

Removes a server or servers from the list.

Clear All

Override the list of servers and clear everything (the default)

Cookies

This option clears cookies as well as other files from the cache. Usually you won't want to do this.

 Other Checklist Items

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 Empty Temp Folder

This item clears the folder where your temporary files are stored.

A lot of programs create temporary files when they run. Most of the time they remove those files. But if something goes funny (your computer crashes etc…) those files can still be around.

Usually this folder is located 'C:\Windows\Temp.'

 Other Checklist Items

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 Empty Recycle Bin

Any files in your Recycle Bin can be easily recovered. It makes sense to clear it before wiping.

However some people like to take out the trash themselves. Feel free to disable this one if you're one of those.

 Other Checklist Items

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 Check Hard Disk for Lost Clusters

Sometimes if you've had  a computer crash there can be data hiding out in little nooks and crannies of your computer called lost clusters. These are locations on the hard disk that are marked as used, but aren't linked up to any files.

Because there can be sensitive data in them, and the Wipe Free Space item can't get to them, it's good to do this check.

 Advanced Properties

Automatially Fix Errors

When this option is checked Scandisk will run automatically without any intervention from you. (the default)

Delete Lost Clusters

This option will remove any lost clusters and make the space available for Wipe Free Space to do it's clean up work. This is definitely recommended over the next option.

Save Lost Clusters as Files

This option will save the lost data instead of deleting it. It'll put it in files called 'file0001.chk' in the root folder of your hard disk.

 Other Checklist Items

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 Delete Swap File

Windows uses a file called a swap file to provide memory to programs if there isn't enough. Don't worry about the details, but there can be unencrypted data hiding in that file.

It's good to leave this option enabled and remove this file before wiping.

Windows will make a new file when it boots the next time, so don't worry about this messing things up.

 Other Checklist Items

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 Wipe Free Space

Everytime a file is deleted it isn't actually removed from your hard disk even if you empty your Recycle Bin. Just the name is removed from a sorta index. For this reason you need to make sure to wipe the free space on your hard disk every night.

Also note that a lot of the other items on the checklist delete files (which aren't properly removed), so it makes sense to leave this item as the last one on the list.

Depending on the size of your hard disk, the speed of your computer, and how hard you stare at the monitor (just kidding) this can take anywhere from 15 to 45 minutes.

 Advanced Properties

Normally this item wipes all the drives on your computer. If you have more than one and some of them really don't need to be wiped (ie: have no sensitive data on them) then you can deselect them. You should always wipe the hard disk you have Windows on, though (usually that's C:).

 Other Checklist Items

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