FAQ: Locking Down Your Computer

How Do I lock down my computer?

It takes only a few seconds to secure your computer and discourage malicious individuals. Lock/logout of your computer every time you leave your desk, and shut it down when you leave for the day.

To Lock Down/Log out of Your Computer

Windows XP
Windows 2000
Linux with KDE Desktop
Linux with Gnome Desktop

To Lock Down Windows XP

Click Ctrl+Alt+Delete
Select "Lock Workstation"
This will bring up your login screen and lock your computer down.

Windows XP shortcut: Click the Windows key (the flying window key at the bottom of the key board) and the L key. This will bring up your login screen and lock your computer down.
To log back in, type Ctrl+Alt+Delete if necessary, and type in your username and password .

To Lock Down Windows 2000

Click Ctrl+Alt+Delete
Select "Lock Workstation"
This will bring up your login screen and lock your computer down.
To log back in, type Ctrl+Alt+Delete if necessary, and type in your username and password.

To lock Down Linux KDE

Click on the "K" icon on the task bar, usually located at the lower left of the screen.
Choose either "Log Off" to log out of the session or "Lock Screen" to start the screen saver and require a password to get back in.
An alternative method is to click on any clear area on the desktop and choose either "Log Out" or "Lock Screen."

To Lock Down Linux Gnome

Go to the top left side of the desktop screen and choose the Actions menu
Choose Lock Screen

How do I set a password-protected screen saver?

If you forget to log out of your computer when you walk away, for your protection, you should set up a screen-saver that will lock your computer after a pre-set amount of time and require a password to log back in.

To Set a Password-Protected Screensaver for Windows 2000 or XP

Right click on your desktop. A drop down menu box will appear. Select "Properties." See Fig. 1

Figure 1

The display properties for the desktop will appear. Click on the "Screen Saver" tab. See Fig. 2

Figure 2
Click the arrow on the drop down list for "Screen Saver." Select the screen saver you would like.
Click the up/down arrows on the "Wait" box to set the time lapse before your screen saver starts. Five minutes is a good choice.
Check the box in front of "On resume, password protect." If you have Windows 2000, it may just say "Password Protect."
Click "OK" or "Apply" and close out of the Display Properties Box.
To login when your screen saver is running, you can: move your mouse; hit the enter key; or click Ctrl+Alt+Delete. Any of these will bring up your login screen. Type in your Novell or Windows password, click "OK" or hit the enter key and you will be logged in to your computer.

Alternative Method: You can also reach the "Display Properties" box by:

Clicking "Start" in the taskbar at the bottom of the desktop screen and click on "Control Panel." See Fig. 3

Figure 3
A window will appear that will have many icons or a list of items. Click on the "Display" icon or the "Display" in the list. See Fig. 4.

Figure 4

To Set a Password-Protected Screen Saver for Mac OS 10.0 - 10.3

Open "System Preferences" (the same as Control Panel in the previous versions of the Mac OS)
Click on the "Security" icon.
Check the "Require password to wake this computer from sleep or screen saver" field.
Return to the "System Preferences" and choose the "Desktop and Screen Saver" icon
Select the "Screen Saver" tab
Set the amount of time you want to pass before the screen saver starts (5 minutes is a good limit)
Click on the "Hot Corners" button to set the corner you have to move the mouse to for the screen saver to start instantly

When the screen saver activates after the required time period has lapsed and/or you want to unlock your computer move the mouse, click on a key to logon to your computer.

To Set a Password-Protected Screen Saver for Linux KDE

To set the screen saver, go to the "KDE Control Center"
Choose "Appearance and Themes"
Choose "Screen Saver"
Check the "Start Screen Saver Automatically"
Check the "Require Password to Stop Screen Saver"
Click the "Apply" button

To Set a Password-Protected Screen Saver for Linux Gnome

Go to the top left side of the desktop screen and choose the Applications menu
Choose Desktop Preferences
Choose Screen Savers
Choose the Display Modes tab
Click 'Lock Screen After' and set the amount of time for the computer to be idle before the screen saver activates (Five minutes is a good rule of thumb)
Close the panel for the changes to take effect

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