Paritek Software Archives 13

Password Protection

Although Paritek does not require you to have password protection, it is recommended. Like all aspects of the program, setting up users and passwords requires a little planning.

Security Schemes
These are the basic security schemes for Paritek:

Description	Scheme	Pros	Cons
No protection	Anyone who has access to the computer will be able to run the program, and view or edit any of the information.	Convenient (no logging in required). If other security measures are in place, passwords may not be necessary.	Not recommended for offices where the computer may be left unattended (in a reception area, for example).
Minimum protection	Define codes and passwords for all users and give them "total access" to the program.	Easy to set up (just define the users and you are done). Locks out unauthorized users.	Some users may not require "total access". Users must log in each time they start the program.
Medium protection	Define codes for all users and give them access only to those areas that they will be using.	Limits access to sensitive information to those people with proper authority. Reduces menu options for novice users.	Requires some planning and may stop users from accessing options they legitimately need to use.
Maximum protection	Same as above, but periodically evaluate who is authorized for which options and change passwords regularly.	While no password system is foolproof, this minimizes the risk that unauthorized users will get into the program.	Requires extra effort. Changing passwords may result in them being forgotten.

Defining the Users

Once you determine who will be able to use the program, you must also decide what menu options they will have access to. Paritek has seven predefined access levels, plus a "Custom Settings" option which allows you to specify exactly which menu options each person can use.

Use the Edit > System Setup > Users menu option to add or change the user codes (usually initials), names and passwords of the people who will be able to access the program. The available access levels are:

Level	Access	Assign to
Total Access	Read and write access to all menu options.	System administrators (may be the parish secretary or Pastor).
Standard Access	Read and write access to all menu options, except system defaults (read only), user code entry and a few of the more sensitive utilities.	Parish secretaries, or anyone who needs to access all information, but does not assign user codes and passwords.
Standard Access (no donations)	Read and write access to those menu options which do not pertain to envelope users and their contributions.	Assistants or volunteers, when you want to restrict access to the contribution information.
Donation Entry Only	Donation entry, one-time receipts, plus some access to family information pertaining to envelope numbers.	Those people who record the donations, but do not need access to the rest of the program.
Read Only Access	May view all entry screens and generate reports, but not change any information.	Novice computer users that want to be able to view information, but not accidentally change information.
Read Only Access (no donations)	May view all information that does not pertain to envelope users or their contributions, but not change any information.	Occasional users that may need to view information like addresses and phone numbers, but not change them.
No Access	May only log out of the program and view help screens.	Employees who do not need to access the program for prolonged periods of time, but may need access later.
Custom Settings	Provides a list of all menu options, allowing you to select specific modules for no access, read only access, or full access (over 70 options).	Anyone who does not fit into one of the above categories.

Activating the Login Window

Once you have defined who may use the program, you must tell the program to require users to enter their user code and password each time they run the program.

Go to the General tab in the system defaults window (Edit > System Setup > System Defaults) and check the box next to Use password protection (require users to log in). Once you save your changes, you should exit the program and run Paritek again. Assuming you set up the user access codes properly, you should be required (and able) to log in to the program. Be careful not to lock yourself out of the program.

Logging Out

Once Paritek is set to require users to log in, a new menu option is available (File > Logout). This option allows you to "lock" the program without exiting from Paritek. This would be useful for those occasions when you leave the computer unattended. Once you return, you simply log in again and do not have to wait for the program to be loaded.

This is also useful if users have different access levels. For example, if someone with read only access was using the program and you have standard access, you could log them out and log in as yourself. Then you will have whatever access level you have been assigned.

You do not need to run this option prior to exiting from Paritek. Exiting the program automatically logs out whomever is logged in.

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