Quick-and-dirty security trick

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 ;)

I like Ned's idea - a good alternative :)

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.

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.

The easiest method by far - kick your screen in and no one will ever be able to use it, not even yourself.