Risingware Exp+ Free Edition: Best Settings for Small Businesses

Risingware Exp+ Free Edition: Best Settings for Small BusinessesRisingware Exp+ Free Edition is a lightweight desktop management and security tool designed to help small businesses control user environments, improve productivity, and protect endpoints without the complexity or cost of enterprise solutions. This article explains what the Free Edition offers, which small-business scenarios benefit most, and provides recommended settings and practical configuration steps to get the most value from the product while keeping management overhead low.

What Risingware Exp+ Free Edition is (and isn’t)

Risingware Exp+ Free Edition focuses on endpoint control and user environment management. It provides features such as application whitelisting/blacklisting, usage control, desktop lockdown, scheduled access, and basic reporting. It is intended for small deployments where simplicity and predictable behavior are priorities.

What it isn’t: a full endpoint protection platform (EPP) replacement, advanced patch management system, or centralized enterprise-grade device management suite. Integrate it with your antivirus, backup, and patching solutions rather than expecting it to replace them.

Who should consider it

• Small offices (5–50 users) that need to restrict application use and prevent accidental or intentional misconfiguration.
• Shared workstation environments (reception desks, kiosks, labs) that require locked-down desktops.
• Businesses wanting a low-cost way to reduce support calls by preventing unauthorized software installs or setting consistent desktop policies.
• Organizations with basic compliance needs where controlling executable access and reducing attack surface is helpful.

Key features to use for small businesses

• Application control (whitelist/blacklist) — prevents unauthorized programs from running.
• Policy profiles — apply different restrictions per user or group.
• Desktop lockdown / kiosk mode — ideal for public or shared machines.
• Scheduled access — limits when users can log in or run specific apps.
• Basic monitoring/reporting — see attempts to run blocked applications or other policy violations.
• USB device control (if available in Free Edition) — manage removable media access to reduce data leakage and malware risk.

Recommended baseline settings

These settings balance security and usability for most small-business scenarios. Adjust per your policies and user needs.

• Application control mode: Default to whitelist with an allowlist for common business apps (Office, browsers, PDF readers, accounting software). Use blacklist only if you need minimal restrictions.
• Policy granularity: Create 3 profiles — Admin (IT/support), Standard Employee, Kiosk/Shared.
• Installation control: Block installer binaries (.msi, setup.exe) for Standard Employee and Kiosk profiles; allow for Admins only.
• Browser policy: Allow only approved browsers and configure homepage/extension policies outside Risingware where possible.
• USB/removable media: Set to read-only for Standard Employee; full access for Admins; disabled for Kiosk.
• Scheduled access: Business hours only for Kiosk/Shared profiles; optional for Standard Employee depending on work patterns.
• Auto-update behavior: Allow Risingware client to auto-update, but schedule major changes outside business hours.
• Notifications: Enable user-friendly notifications when apps are blocked so users know to contact IT if needed.
• Logging and reporting: Enable detailed logs for blocked events and export weekly; keep logs for at least 30 days if storage allows.
• Emergency bypass: Maintain a secure, logged emergency admin method to unlock workstations when needed (two-person approval if possible).

Example profile configurations

1. Admin profile

• Application control: Allow all
• Installer blocking: Off
• USB: Full access
• Scheduled access: ⁄₇
• Logging: Verbose

1. Standard Employee profile

• Application control: Whitelist (Office, approved accounting software, approved browser)
• Installer blocking: Block installers and unknown executables
• USB: Read-only
• Scheduled access: ⁄₇ or limited per HR policy
• Notifications: Enabled
• Logging: Standard

1. Kiosk/Shared profile

• Application control: Whitelist (kiosk app, browser in kiosk mode if needed)
• Installer blocking: Block
• USB: Disabled
• Scheduled access: Business hours only
• Shell replacement or desktop lockdown: Enabled
• Logging: Minimal, but track blocked attempts

Deployment steps and tips

1. Inventory and test
   • Inventory installed applications across a sample of machines.
   • Create a test group and deploy Risingware to 2–5 pilot machines.
2. Build your allowlist
   • Start with a minimal allowlist: OS executables, Microsoft Office, browser(s), PDF reader, remote support tool.
   • Use hashes for critical executables and path-based rules for directories like Program Files.
3. Use progressive enforcement
   • Begin in monitoring/logging-only mode if available, to see what would be blocked.
   • Switch to warn-only (notify user but allow) before full enforcement.
4. Train users and IT
   • Announce upcoming changes, provide a quick-run sheet for employees explaining what they can/can’t do and how to request exceptions.
   • Train IT on emergency bypass procedures and log review.
5. Roll out by group
   • Deploy to low-risk groups first, then expand after resolving issues.
6. Maintain allowlist hygiene
   • Review weekly after rollout for two months, then monthly.
   • Update when business applications change or get patched.
7. Integrate with other controls
   • Keep antivirus, backups, and patching active; do not disable those controls.
   • Use Group Policy (GPO) for complementary settings (password complexity, screen lock timeouts).
8. Backups and recovery
   • Ensure system images or backups exist before major policy rollout so you can recover from misconfiguration quickly.

Troubleshooting common issues

• Legitimate applications blocked
  • Use logs to identify executable path/hash; add exception to allowlist; prefer path+publisher rules to avoid risk.
• Users repeatedly request admin installs
  • Provide a vetted request process or scheduled install windows by IT.
• Performance impact
  • Ensure client host resources meet Risingware’s requirements; exclude Risingware logs from antivirus scanning if recommended by vendor documentation.
• Kiosk override by users
  • Harden with shell replacement, disable Ctrl+Alt+Del options, and ensure BIOS/boot security is set to prevent booting from external media.

Security considerations

• Whitelisting reduces attack surface more effectively than blacklisting; use it where possible.
• Keep admin accounts strictly limited and monitor use — configure separate administrative profiles.
• Maintain physical security for kiosks and endpoints to prevent boot-time tampering.
• Ensure software that’s allowed is kept patched — whitelisting doesn’t eliminate the need for patch management.

Maintenance checklist (monthly)

• Review blocked attempt logs and adjust allowlist if false positives are found.
• Confirm auto-update status for Risingware clients.
• Validate USB/device access rules against current data-loss risks.
• Test emergency admin unlock process.
• Re-run inventory to detect new applications needing assessment.

When to consider upgrading from Free Edition

• You need centralized policy management across hundreds of machines.
• Your business requires advanced reporting, SIEM integration, or automated remediation workflows.
• You require advanced device controls (full disk encryption management, granular network controls) beyond what Free Edition offers.
• Compliance or auditing requirements demand richer logs, retention, or tamper-evident reporting.

Closing notes

Risingware Exp+ Free Edition can be a practical, low-cost instrument to tighten control over desktops in small businesses, reduce help-desk workload, and protect shared workstations. The best approach is to start small, use monitoring modes to tune policies, and maintain clear escalation paths for exceptions. With the recommended profiles and settings above, most small businesses can achieve a solid balance between security and usability without heavy administration overhead.