Digital Specter — which develops software for Mac OS 9, Mac OS X, Unix and Windows — has released its first product for the Mac, Startup Security 1.0. Using this utility, you can enable system security for your Macintosh using Mac OS 9 or X, according to Myke Kage of Digital Spector.
“When Startup Security is combined with a physical security solution, your machine virtually becomes an impenetrable fortress,” he said.
You can set a firmware password so that boot device settings and other machine parameters can’t be changed without authorization. With Startup Security, which is US$19.95, you can completely prevent the boot-up of a machine without the proper password and enable three different modes of security: Off, Default Boot Device Only and Full.
Startup Security requires Mac OS 9 or Mac OS X; Apple Firmware Update, version 4.1.7 or later; an iMac, iBook, Power Mac G4 tower, Cube or Titanium PowerBook. You can download it from the product Web site.
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