Filed under: Tips and tricks
Quick-and-dirty security trick
Reader Jamie offers a quick security tip. If you're the type that's frequently away from your desk, you may want to keep your machine secure while you're gone. As Jamie points out, you can simply turn on your screensaver and set it up to require a password at de-activation. Next, activate a screensaver hot corner and you're all set.Of course, a determined person can simply restart your machine. But knowing most of the people in my office, this simple trick would stop them in their tracks.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
David said 1:50PM on 2-21-2007
Yes, but in system preferences, you can also set your computer to require a password on startup as well. So in doing this, you can make your machine completely secure to the average intruder.
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Roberto Felgueiras said 1:55PM on 2-21-2007
why not just enable fast user switching and switch to log in screen? it what I do every night instead of logging out.
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stainboy said 2:06PM on 2-21-2007
better yet: go to Keychain Access in the Utilities folder, and in its preferences, check "Show Status in Menu Bar". then when you want to walk away for a while, pull down the menu and select "Lock Screen". easy!
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Andrew said 2:07PM on 2-21-2007
I had this setup on my MacBook when I read the article somewhere else...digg maybe? Anyways when I would wake my computer from sleep, it would require a password and if I didn't enter the password before the dialog box went away, the computer would get stuck in sleep mode.
When I'd hit the power button it would often times restart. Just an advisory for those who try this!
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Josh said 2:11PM on 2-21-2007
THAT method isn't secure if, like in my office, there is an admin account on the computer that others know the password for. Try it yourself, put in the admin name and password. Unlike the way windows handles it (That logs the current user out) OS X simply unlocks the screen revealing what you were working on.
The best method by far is to turn on fast user switching and to return to the login screen. (Even if some apps, such as TimBukTu, will close when you return there.
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Matt said 2:12PM on 2-21-2007
Hi TUAW's,
sorry to say that but - i am a little bit bored about tips you can find in any osx for dummies books... wouldn't it be better to rreally post some usefull, more advanced, tips?
Thanks
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DrWho said 3:58PM on 2-21-2007
Well the iTunes tip was useful for me so quit your griping.
Thanks
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Aron Trimble said 2:46PM on 2-21-2007
So, if I enable fast user switching; is there a keyboard shortcut to switch to the login screen? This is what i've been HOPING for!!
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Bill said 2:48PM on 2-21-2007
Personally, I use Quicksilver and have a trigger (Ctrl+Opt+Cmd+L) set to "Lock screen". One simple keystroke and boom: computer is secure while I'm away.
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Bart Lee said 2:49PM on 2-21-2007
Even easier - use Salling Clicker's proximity sensor with your Bluetooth phone to start the screen saver whenever you leave your computer.
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Ned said 2:58PM on 2-21-2007
The easiest method by far - kick your screen in and no one will ever be able to use it, not even yourself.
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ossiejnr said 3:12PM on 2-21-2007
If you are that worried about the people you work with, take your laptop with you. If you have a desktop, then don't leave your desk or ask for an office inside a vault.
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jason said 3:26PM on 2-21-2007
Or ossiejnr, if you actually have a job and need to adhere to HIPA standerds you need to lock your screen after x amount of time after you leave your desk.
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Jamie Huskisson said 3:38PM on 2-21-2007
I like Ned's idea - a good alternative :)
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Joshua said 8:42PM on 2-21-2007
Actually, all a person has to do is reboot, and get in to single-user mode, reset the root password, and your password, and he's home free ;)
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Dorian said 7:36PM on 2-21-2007
LOL Ned's is DERFINITELT best solution.
For what it's worth I use WinSwitch in place of Fast USer Switching, and have keytroke option-apple-delete configured - I'm so used to ctrl-alt-delete on windows at work, that this just comes naturally. This kicks me to the login screen. Just like 'locking' your machine on windows.
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Lawrence said 7:47PM on 2-21-2007
In addtition it may be smart to turn off the automatic log-in on the machine and set and open firmware password. Not much chance of anyone getting in that way even with a restart. Just a thought.
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njyo said 9:03PM on 2-21-2007
Or you can add the ScreenSaverEngine in /System/Library/Frameworks/ScreenSaver.frame to your Quicksilver catalogue so you trigger Quicksilver and type "Screen" and Enter. Nice and smooth especially if all Hot Corners are occupied.
What I wonder is following: I'd need two types of sleep/screen saver mode. One where the computer wakes up without requiring a password (for the alarm) and one where it requires a password for the screen locking.
Cheers.
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Josh H. said 9:02PM on 2-21-2007
With my mac, i have a login in menu so you cant simply restart the computer. I also have a hot corner to set on my screen saver that requires a password when you come back. Its that easy like David said.
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Chrisian Gehrke said 4:33AM on 2-22-2007
For pure fun I like to use iAlertU where as you can use your remote like you would a car alarm remote and it even sounds like a car alarm. Best part (besides being free) is that it also takes a photo of the person who set off your alarm.
Only works on macbook and macbook pro but still very cool and fun to use.
http://www.ialertu.com
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