PCFREEZE.RVW  931217
                               Comparison Review
 
Company and product:
 
Command Software Systems
Jupiter, FL
407-575-3200
800-423-9147
75300.3645@CompuServe.COM
Lance McKay
or 
93 Dewson St., Suite 101
Toronto, Ontario
416-588-8341
fax: 416-537-0998
BBS: 416-532-0456
Freeze!!
 
Summary: General PC security activity monitor and access/operation restriction.
 
Cost US$89.95
 
Rating (1-4, 1 = poor, 4 = very good)
      "Friendliness"
            Installation      3
            Ease of use       3
            Help systems      1
      Compatibility           2
      Company
            Stability         2
            Support           3
      Documentation           2
      Hardware required       3
      Performance             2
      Availability            2
      Local Support           2
 
General Description:
 
A subset of general security and access restriction features.
 
                  Comparison of features and specifications
 
 
 
User Friendliness
 
Installation
 
The product is shipped on an unprotected 720K floppy disk.  Installation is a
manual process, involving the installation of a password into the program, and
then the installation onto the hard disk.  Note that this operation can only be
performed from the A: drive.  After installation, up to four user passwords
plus some access and operation restriction can be implemented.
 
Ease of use
If the functions are understood the program is simple to use.
 
Help systems
 
No online help.
 
Compatibility 
 
Compatibility with utility software may present some problems.  The system does
not work with removable media, non-standard partitions, or DR-DOS.  There are
special provisions for certain versions of Zenith DOS.  Installation of future
programs will require changes to AUTOEXEC.BAT to be transferred to
AUTOEXEC.SYS.
 
Company stability
 
Unknown.
 
Company Support
 
The company is accessible via the usual channels, plus Internet access and an
800 number that even works from Canada.  My experience with them has been
amicable, but has indicated some problems with shipping.
 
Documentation
 
The documentation is quite terse, and the order and organization could use some
work.  Users are advised to read the manual through before starting
installation.  The material is clear, but contains little additional discussion
of security in general.
 
System requirements
 
DOS 2.x or later and a hard drive.
 
Performance
 
The structure of FREEZE's protection leaves a number of potential
vulnerabilities.  While it is likely to protect against tampering by novice and
intermediate users, the system is vulnerable to software attack.
 
There is no protection against boot sector viral programs, at least not of the
more widespread MBR type.
 
The use of default passwords is a security risk.  If you use this product,
please assign both the master and first user passwords, even if you do not
intend to use them.
 
Local support
 
Internet access and an 800 number.
 
Support requirements
 
Minimal, but the program is unlikely to be of use unless some security
background is involved.
 
copyright Robert M. Slade, 1993   PCFREEZE.RVW  931217

======================
roberts@decus.ca           rslade@vcn.bc.ca           rslade@vanisl.decus.ca
          "Look, Mum, `Barbies'!" - Ryan's reaction to "FashionFile"
Author "Robert Slade's Guide to Computer Viruses" 0-387-94663-2 (800-SPRINGER)