Aura HD password protection on the reader itself?

[Paul Miller]

I'm interested to know if there is some hidden way to password protect my Kobo? Perhaps a reliable third-party application?

Thanks.
Paul

[DNSB]

Originally Posted by Paul Miller

I'm interested to know if there is some hidden way to password protect my Kobo? Perhaps a reliable third-party application?

Thanks.
Paul

A while back, tshering posted on password protecting your Kobo in a Kobo Developer's Corner thread. See https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=233262 for more information.

I tried it on a Glo where it worked but my main reader is an Aura HD which he warned against so I didn't give it much of a test.

Regards,
David

[Paul Miller]

Thanks for your reply, David. It'd be nice if Kobo would come up with something, no?

[Gazella]

Agreed. My sister is very nosy, when she sees my Kobo ereader idle, she turns it on and starts browsing through my library or plays games and I don't like that

[tshering]

Originally Posted by DNSB

I tried it on a Glo where it worked but my main reader is an Aura HD which he warned against so I didn't give it much of a test.

Since the KBStartMenu_03check version of the Kobo Start Menu there is not much danger in trying the PW protection tool. The settings in runsettings.txt (for instance runmenu=alternateMenu) control the PW protection tool too). That means with this setting and the PW tool enabled, the PW tool becomes active only every second power circle. So one has the chance to deactivate it, if it does not work.

There is of course the risk that the PW tool does not work with the next FW. Therefore, I would deactivate the PW tool and/or set the runsettings again to runmenu=alternateMenu, before updating. I would do so before the installation of (almost) any hack.

Warning: The PW tool will become unresponsive with the Multi Touch hack under FW 3.2.0, on any model, not only the Aura HD. (On a side note, I don't think the uninstaller provided by Giorgio works, cf. this post. I mention this here, in case somebody has it already installed and wants to try the Menu and/or the PW tool.)

Anyway, the worst case is that one has to factory reset the reader.

[tshering]

For another password tool cf. this post.

[TechniSol]

The real question is why hasn't Kobo already added a password protection feature? Do they not conceive that adults may wish to keep children from messing with their reader if nothing else?

I'd like to see at least a password, but if they were really with it they'd offer a multiple password with segmented access for multiple users as has been implemented for some family tablets.

[tshering]

Originally Posted by TechniSol

adults may wish to keep children from messing with their reader

and the other way round.

Originally Posted by TechniSol

if they were really with it they'd offer a multiple password with segmented access for multiple users

If I were in their position, I would say each person should own at least one Kobo reader. Don't share your device with anyone.

[DNSB]

Originally Posted by TechniSol

The real question is why hasn't Kobo already added a password protection feature? Do they not conceive that adults may wish to keep children from messing with their reader if nothing else?

Perhaps they think that many people will be keeping their ereaders with them and not leaving them around for their children to access inappropriate content?

Originally Posted by TechniSol

I'd like to see at least a password, but if they were really with it they'd offer a multiple password with segmented access for multiple users as has been implemented for some family tablets.

Sheesh, just buy the little critters their own ereader. I can just see some of my acquaintances trying to remember the password for their ereader.

Do you keep your deadtree books chained to their shelves? Behind a locked door? Image attached is of the collection of the Hereford Cathedral.

Regards,
David

[Ken Maltby]

For most Kobos you could just keep all your books on your external uSD card and get one of those credit card sized card holders to keep it in when you are not reading. (May be a problem for those using the original Kobo software, but works fine for KOreader and Coolreader users.) Beats a password any day.

Luck;
Ken