If you want to stay logged in to your computer while you are away from it, but need to prevent others from using it, you can lock the screen. When you return to the computer, type your login name and password to continue working.
For setting your screen saver to lock, there is a slight difference in the instructions between operating system versions. If you are not sure which version of the operating system your computer is running, go to your APPLE MENU and select ABOUT THIS MAC. In the About This Mac window, the version number is listed just below MAC OS X.
Go to your APPLE menu, and select SYSTEM PREFERENCES. The SYSTEM PREFERENCES pane opens.
In your SYSTEM PREFERENCES pane, in the PERSONAL section, click once on SECURITY.
The Security pane appears.
If the lock on the bottom left of the SECURITY pane appears as a closed padlock, click once on the lock, enter the administrator's password for your computer when prompted, then click once on the OK button.
In the Security pane, click once in each checkbox for:
- Require password to wake this computer from sleep or screen saver
- Disable automatic login
To close the SECURITY pane, click once on the CLOSE button.
Now, after your screen saver has been activated and someone moves the mouse or presses a key on the keyboard, an authentication window appears.
In the PASSWORD edit box, type your password and then click once on the OK button.
Your desktop appears.
More instructions regarding your screen saver settings are available here: Screen Saver Settings: Macintosh OS version 10.4.x.
Go to your APPLE menu, and select SYSTEM PREFERENCES. The SYSTEM PREFERENCES pane opens.
In your SYSTEM PREFERENCES pane, under the PERSONAL section, click once on SECURITY.
The Security pane appears.
If the lock on the bottom left of the SECURITY pane appears as a closed padlock, click once on the lock, enter the administrator's password for your computer when prompted, then click once on the OK button.
In the Security pane, click once in each checkbox for:
- Require password to wake this computer from sleep or screen saver
- Disable automatic login
To close the SECURITY pane, click once on the CLOSE button.
Now, after your screen saver has been activated and someone moves the mouse or presses a key on the keyboard, an authentication window appears.
In the PASSWORD edit box, type your password and then click once on the OK button.
Your desktop appears.
Go to your APPLE menu, and select SYSTEM PREFERENCES. The SYSTEM PREFERENCES pane opens.
In your SYSTEM PREFERENCES pane, under the PERSONAL section, click once on SCREEN EFFECTS.
The Screen Effects pane opens.
Click once on the ACTIVATION tab.
To close the SCREEN EFFECTS pane, click once on the CLOSE button.
Now, after your screen saver has been activated and someone moves the mouse button or presses a key on the keyboard, an authentication window appears.
In the PASSWORD edit box, type your password and then click once on the OK button.
Your desktop appears.
Written by Teresa Hagan
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