It is very important that you know how to protect your information and the information others share with you. One simple way to do this is to lock a computer, even if only stepping away for a moment. You can also use the password protect screen saver feature to protect your files.
Locking Screen Savers
Windows
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10
- Click Start > Control Panel.
- Type Open the Start menu and type "screen saver" in the Search box and ; choose "Set Change screen saver password".
- Choose a screen saver, if you have not done so. Select the
- Change the amount of time your computer waits before starting the screen saver if desired
- Check the box for "On resume, display logon screen" check box.
Set a time when you want the screen saver to start, and then click OK.
Choose a time that's not long enough for an unauthorized person to use your computer, but not so short that if you stop working at your computer for a moment, the screen saver locks it.
Windows 8, 10
- Swipe in from the right edge of the screen (or if you're using a mouse, point to the lower-right corner of the screen, move the mouse pointer up) and tap (or click) on the Search icon.
- Type "power options" and tap or click on "Settings".
- Tap or click on Power Options.
- In the dialog, tap or click on "Require a password on wakeup". It should default the Password protection on wakeup setting to require the password.
- If on a laptop, it is recommended that you also set your computer to sleep when you close the lid (usually a default setting).
- Make sure your computer is set to sleep after a period of inactivity.
- Tap or click on Power Options to go back a step, and then tap or click on "Change plan settings" to the right of whichever power plan is selected.
Next to "Put the computer to sleep", choose the length of the period of inactivity before the computer will go to sleep.
Choose a time that's not long enough for an unauthorized person to use your computer, but not so short that if you stop working at your computer for a moment, the screen saver locks it.
- Tap or click Save changes if you have made any.
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Mac OS
Apple Documentation: https://support.apple.com/kb/PH21781?locale=en_USen-us/HT204379
- Choose Apple menu > System Preferences.
- Click Security & Privacy.
- On the General tab, check "Require password ... after sleep or screen saver begins."
- Set the time period drop down to your desired amount of time.
Choose a time that's not long enough for an unauthorized person to use your computer, but not so short that if you stop working at your computer for a moment, the screen saver locks it.
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- You should be prompted for your password to make this change.
- If you haven't already chosen your screen saver, follow Apple's directions here.
Locking the Computer
Windows
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10
4 Ways to Lock your Windows 10 PC
- Press CTRL+ALT+DELETE on your keyboard.
- Click Lock Computer in the Windows Security dialog box.
OR
- Press the Windows logo key + L.
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- Press CTRL+ALT+DELETE on your keyboard.
- Click Lock Computer in the Windows Security dialog boxChoose Lock.
OR
Press the Windows logo key + L.
4 Ways to Lock your Windows 10 PC (refer to number 4)
Mac OS
Apple Documentation:
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