Knowledge Base

Creating a locked down web kiosk


With the addition of the Check In module and the Web Kiosk option, you may wish to create a simple web kiosk and not give users complete access to the internet or computer.


There are options for many browsers to enable a "Kiosk mode" which, while not perfect, will help restrict access. 

 

Internet Explorer

To have Internet Explorer open in kiosk mode you simply need to add a parameter to the shortcut.

Note: It is advisable to create a new icon for Internet Explorer Kiosk

1) Right click on the Internet Explorer icon and choose properties.

2) Add "-k" (without quotes) to the end of the target. 

3) If desired, you can also add the URL you wish the kiosk to automatically open, or simply set that address as your home page in Internet Explorer.

For example, if you wanted a kiosk to open and automatically go to www.powerchurch.com your target may look something like: "C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe" -k www.powerchurch.com

Internet Explorer will then open in full screen mode automatically. It will also hide the address bar and prevent the F11 key from closing the full screen mode. Alt+ F4 however will still cause Internet Explorer to close. 

 

Firefox

Firefox does not have a built in kiosk mode, but there are several Add-ons available. One such add-on is "Full Fullscreen" and can be found: https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/1568.

Once the add-on is installed in Firefox, just press F11 to go full screen. Customizations are available through the settings dialog (Tools->Add-ons->Full Fullscreen->Options).

Using this specific add-on will still allow the F11 key to close full screen mode. 

Note: This add-on is not a product of Mozilla or PowerChurch Software. Use at your own risk. 

 

Opera

Like Internet Explorer, Opera has a Kiosk mode built in.

Note: It is advisable to create a new icon for Opera Kiosk

1) Right click on the Opera icon and choose properties.

2) Add "-k" (without quotes) to the end of the target. 

3) If desired you can also add the URL you wish the kiosk to automatically open, or simply set that address as your home page in Opera.

For example, if you wanted a kiosk to open and automatically go to www.powerchurch.com, your target may look something like: "C:\Program Files\Opera\opera.exe" -k www.powerchurch.com

Opera will then open in full screen mode automatically. It will also hide the address bar and prevent the F11 key from closing the full screen mode. However, pressing the Alt+ F4 keys will still cause Opera to close.

 

Safari

An option was not found to enable a kiosk mode for the PC version of Safari, however with Mac it may be possible using third party options.

While all of the options above are free to use, none of them will completely prevent users from accessing other parts of the computer or other websites. For a complete solution, additional software will be required. There are many options available such as:

Web Guardian Lockdown - http://www.iekiosk.com/webguardian.htm
KioWare Lite - http://www.kioware.com/kwl.aspx
Provisio SiteKiosk - https://www.provisio.com/en-US/SiteKiosk/Default.aspx
Arlington Kiosk Browser - http://www.arlington.com.au/moreinfo.aspx
fKey Public Kiosk Software - http://www.fkeysolutions.com/public-kiosk-software.html

Note: PowerChurch has not extensively tested, nor do they support, any of the above solutions.

Using the Web Kiosk over the Check In Kiosk application has several advantages, but also some disadvantages. 

With the Web Kiosk, it will be easier to lock the machine down and prevent unwanted access. The Web Kiosk, however, will not allow you to check members out; nor will it allow you to add or update family information. 


Created: 10/13/2009
Last updated: 04/08/2015