Kiosk software
Encyclopedia
Kiosk software is the system
and user interface
software designed for a kiosk
or Internet kiosk. Kiosk software locks down the application in order to protect the kiosk from users. Kiosk software may offer remote monitoring to manage multiple kiosks from another location. Email or text alerts may be automatically sent from the kiosk for daily activity reports or generated in response to problems detected by the software. Other features allow for remote updates of the kiosk's content and the ability to upload data such as kiosk usage statistics
.
Kiosk software is used to manage a touchscreen
, allowing users to touch the monitor screen to make selections. A virtual keyboard
eliminates the need for a computer keyboard
.
by deterring users from maliciously attacking or hacking
into the kiosk. Kiosk software must be able to prevent misuse of the provided features.
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.
If the kiosk includes a keyboard, the kiosk software must also disable all problematic specialty keys and keystroke sequences such as Control-Alt-Delete
.
With 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 URL
s 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 be configured to run in “kiosk mode”, which prevents users from accessing certain system functions. This may not be appropriate for all uses, since running in kiosk mode may not give deployers the amount of control they need for their final end product configuration. Additional kiosk system software can be used to secure the kiosk or PC instead.
System software
System software is computer software designed to operate the computer hardware and to provide a platform for running application software.The most basic types of system software are:...
and user interface
User interface
The user interface, in the industrial design field of human–machine interaction, is the space where interaction between humans and machines occurs. The goal of interaction between a human and a machine at the user interface is effective operation and control of the machine, and feedback from the...
software designed for a kiosk
Interactive kiosk
An Interactive kiosk is a computer terminal featuring specialized hardware and software designed within a public exhibit that provides access to information and applications for communication, commerce, entertainment, and education....
or Internet kiosk. Kiosk software locks down the application in order to protect the kiosk from users. Kiosk software may offer remote monitoring to manage multiple kiosks from another location. Email or text alerts may be automatically sent from the kiosk for daily activity reports or generated in response to problems detected by the software. Other features allow for remote updates of the kiosk's content and the ability to upload data such as kiosk usage statistics
Statistics
Statistics is the study of the collection, organization, analysis, and interpretation of data. It deals with all aspects of this, including the planning of data collection in terms of the design of surveys and experiments....
.
Kiosk software is used to manage a touchscreen
Touchscreen
A touchscreen is an electronic visual display that can detect the presence and location of a touch within the display area. The term generally refers to touching the display of the device with a finger or hand. Touchscreens can also sense other passive objects, such as a stylus...
, allowing users to touch the monitor screen to make selections. A virtual keyboard
Virtual keyboard
A virtual keyboard is a software component that allows a user to enter characters. A virtual keyboard can usually be operated with multiple input devices, which may include a touchscreen, an actual keyboard and a computer mouse.- Types :...
eliminates the need for a computer keyboard
Computer keyboard
In computing, a keyboard is a typewriter-style keyboard, which uses an arrangement of buttons or keys, to act as mechanical levers or electronic switches...
.
Security
Kiosk system software addresses securityComputer security
Computer security is a branch of computer technology known as information security as applied to computers and networks. The objective of computer security includes protection of information and property from theft, corruption, or natural disaster, while allowing the information and property to...
by deterring users from maliciously attacking or hacking
Hacker (computer security)
In computer security and everyday language, a hacker is someone who breaks into computers and computer networks. Hackers may be motivated by a multitude of reasons, including profit, protest, or because of the challenge...
into the kiosk. Kiosk software must be able to prevent misuse of the provided features.
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.
If the kiosk includes a keyboard, the kiosk software must also disable all problematic specialty keys and keystroke sequences such as Control-Alt-Delete
Control-Alt-Delete
Control-Alt-Delete is a computer keyboard command on IBM PC compatible systems that can be used to reboot the computer, and summon the task manager or Windows Security in more recent versions of the Microsoft Windows operating system...
.
With 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 URL
Uniform Resource Locator
In computing, a uniform resource locator or universal resource locator is a specific character string that constitutes a reference to an Internet resource....
s not applicable to the function of the kiosk. This can be accomplished by hiding the address bar and incorporating domain
Domain name
A domain name is an identification string that defines a realm of administrative autonomy, authority, or control in the Internet. Domain names are formed by the rules and procedures of the Domain Name System ....
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 be configured to run in “kiosk mode”, which prevents users from accessing certain system functions. This may not be appropriate for all uses, since running in kiosk mode may not give deployers the amount of control they need for their final end product configuration. Additional kiosk system software can be used to secure the kiosk or PC instead.
See also
- Kiosk (KDE)Kiosk (KDE)Kiosk is a framework that allows a user to restrict the capabilities of the KDE environment. It was originally designed for computer kiosks. Kiosks require a very stripped down and controlled environment to prevent users from doing anything harmful...
- Interactive kioskInteractive kioskAn Interactive kiosk is a computer terminal featuring specialized hardware and software designed within a public exhibit that provides access to information and applications for communication, commerce, entertainment, and education....
- CEN/XFSCEN/XFSCEN/XFS or XFS provides a client-server architecture for financial applications on the Microsoft Windows platform, especially peripheral devices such as EFTPOS terminals and ATMs which are unique to the financial industry...
- WebconvergerWebconvergerWebconverger is a Debian-based live operating system designed to be used solely for accessing Web applications. It can be run from various media like CD & USB flash drive and can be installed on a local hard drive. Webconverger is an open source project and has its own public git repository but it...
- free software Debian based Web kiosk
External links
- White Paper on Kiosk Software Security
- Independent survey about kiosk software products - Worldwide Internet Kiosk Browser Analysis (Published April 2005)