Section 115. Require a Password When Reactivating the Computer

115. Require a Password When Reactivating the Computer

BEFORE YOU BEGIN

104 Select a Screensaver

SEE ALSO

123 Set the Computer's Sleep Time

116 Lock the Screen

6 Grab the Window You Want

94 Access Your Desk Accessories (Dashboard)

In a public working environment, it's always a good idea to make sure that your screen will lock itself if you step away. If you don't want to be automatically logged out after a certain period of inactivity, Mac OS X gives you another option: You can have the system prompt you for a password before it rouses the Mac from sleep or disengages a screensaver that has kicked in.

115. Require a Password When Reactivating the Computer

1.	Open the Security Preferences Open the System Preferences application (under the Apple menu); click Security to open the Security Preferences pane.
2.	Require a Password to Wake the Computer Select the Require a password to wake this computer check box. When this option is enabled, Mac OS X prompts you with a username and password input dialog box if you try to wake the computer from sleep or from a screensaver. TIP The password you use to wake the computer from sleep is the same as your login password.
3.	Set an Active Screen Corner Open the Desktop & Screen Saver Preferences pane (click Desktop & Screen Saver in the System Preferences window); on the Screen Saver tab, click the Hot Corners button. In the sheet that appears, pick an unassigned corner and choose Start Screen Saver from the list, which also includes Expos and Dashboard activation modes. From now on, moving the mouse to that corner of the screen immediately starts the screensaver; to reactivate the computer, you (or an intruder) must enter your username and password.