Mac security tip - set a screensaver password
February 26, 2009 by Sukrit Dhandhania
To prevent someone from using your computer when you have stepped away, you should enable a screen saver password. Let’s take a look at how that’s done in Mac OS X.
The first step is to enable a screen saver. Click on the Apple logo in the menu, navigate to System Preferences and then select Desktop and Screen Saver in the System Preferences pane.
Pick a screen saver you like from the list under the Screen Saver tab, and set the time it should wait to get started. I like to set it to the minimum time which is three minutes. The screen saver will automatically launch after this interval of time if there is no activity on your computer. You can also launch the screen saver manually if you like.
Now return to the System Preferences pane and click on the Security option. Under the general tab you will see an option titled Require password to wake this computer from sleep or screen saver. Check the box next to it to enable it. You will be requested to disable automatic login for your user account for this option to work effectively. I think it’s a good idea, and I suggest you go ahead and click Yes.
There are a few other options you can select here, like Log out after 60 minutes of inactivity where you can set the time after which you want to be logged out. These options can be useful as well.
Now when your screensaver launches you will need to enter your user’s password to log in. This way if you have stepped away from your computer for some time no one can take a peek at what you are browsing or see your emails.
I like having a PW on mine because I always have a lot of people over and I dont want any of them prying into my business!
-Jack