Kiosk software
Encyclopedia : K : KI : KIO : Kiosk software
Kiosk software is the system and user interface softare designed for a kiosk or Internet kiosk.
Kiosk system software addresses security by deterring users from maliciously attacking or hacking into the kiosk. It is critical that the kiosk software prevent the user from ever reaching the desktop or file system. This type of security can be difficult because standard print dialogs allow the content to be printed to a file and enable the user access to the file system. The same is true for many email links that load the default email tool and allows the email to be saved to a file. Additionally, if the kiosk includes a keyboard, the kiosk software must also disable all problematic specialty keys such as ctrl+alt+del. Kiosk software must be able to prevent misuse of these features.
And on browser-based or Internet kiosks, the standard browser menus must be disabled because these provide too much configuration control to the user. It is important to prevent the user from accessing URLs not applicable to the function of the kiosk. This can be accomplished by hiding the address bar and incorporating domain and page blocking into the kiosk system software or browser lockdown software.
Kiosk software is also an option for projects that may not even be using kiosk hardware. PCs can run in “kiosk mode” which prevents users from accessing certain system functions. But again, security is an issue here, and running in kiosk mode may not give deployers the amount of control they need. So kiosk system software can be used to secure the kiosk or PC instead.
In addition to kiosk security, kiosk software can also offer remote monitoring features to manage multiple kiosks from another location. Remotely monitoring the kiosks consists of receiving email or text alerts when there is something wrong with the kiosk or just a daily update of the kiosks activity. Other features include the ability to push content out to kiosks and the ability to upload performance statistics such as kiosk usage statistics.
Kiosk software can also port a kiosk application to kiosk touchscreen, allowing users to touch the monitor screen to make selections. A virtual keyboard can be used with touchscreens, eliminating the need for a computer keyboard.
See also
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