Keeping your login session secure
Generally, we want to make sure that:
- A username and password are required to log into your computer (contact TIG if turning on your computer brings you directly to your desktop.)
- It's easy to lock your computer when stepping away from your desk
- Your computer will remember to lock itself (via the screen saver) if and when you don't.
Windows (XP, Vista, ...)
Turn on screensaver passwords:
- Start -> Control Panel -> Display ("Personalization" on Vista) -> Screen Saver
- Wait:
5 minutes or so
- On resume, password protect:
YES
Lock your computer by: pressing Windows+L (hold down the windows key, tap "L").
MacOS (10.4, 10.5, ...)
Turn on locking and screensaver passwords: go to Apple -> System Preferences...
- Desktop -> Screen Saver: Start screen saver:
5 or so. Click "Hot Corners", and change a corner of your choosing to: Start Screen Saver.
- Security -> Require password to wake this computer:
YES
Lock your computer by: moving your mouse to the corner of the screen you chose above
CSAIL Debian (default KDE environment)
Turn on screensaver passwords: go to K menu -> Settings -> Appearance & Themes -> Screen Saver...
- Start automatically after:
5 min or so
- Require password to stop:
YES (60 sec is fine)
- You'll need to log in again (or restart KDE) before the changes are effective.
Lock your computer by: pressing Ctrl+Alt+L
(KDE settings are stored in
~/.kde/share/config/ and thus affect all CSAIL Debian workstations you use.)
--
ArthurProkosch - 10 Dec 2008
