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 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...
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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
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.
February 21 2007 at 9:01 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyOr 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.
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.
February 21 2007 at 7:47 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyLOL 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.
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 ;)
February 21 2007 at 3:55 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyI like Ned's idea - a good alternative :)
February 21 2007 at 3:37 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyOr 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.
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.
February 21 2007 at 3:12 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyThe easiest method by far - kick your screen in and no one will ever be able to use it, not even yourself.
February 21 2007 at 2:58 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyHot Apps on TUAW
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