Ohio University

Whenever you step away from your computer be sure to lock it with a passphrase, even if you are only going to be away for a few minutes. When leaving your computer for an extended period of time, make sure to shut it down.

Locking and Unlocking a Windows Computer

Locking a Windows Computer

1. Press Ctrl+Alt+Delete.

2. Choose 'Lock Workstation'.

Unlocking a Windows Computer

1. Enter your password in the 'Workstation Locked' dialog box. If this is not visible, press Ctrl+Alt+Delete.

Password Protecting a Macintosh Computer

To set up a Macintosh with a password-protected screen saver and sleep mode:

 1. Select 'System Preferences' from the Apple menu.

 2. Select 'Accounts' in the System Section.

 3. Ensure that there is a password in place for each account.
 
 4. Select 'Show All'.

 5. Select 'Desktop and Screen Saver' from the Personal Section.

 6. Ensure that the Screen Saver activates after a reasonable time of inactivity (10-15 minutes is recommended).

 7. Select 'Show All'.

 8. Select 'Security' from the Personal Section.

 10. Ensure that the check-box is filled in for 'Require Password to wake this computer from sleep or screen saver' and for 'Disable automatic login'.

 11. Close System Preferences.

To put a Macintosh to sleep or activate the screen saver:

 1. Go to the Screen Saver system preferences panel.
 
 2. Click the 'hot corner' button to establish any corner of the screen as an immediate activation of the screen saver.
 
 3. In the Apple menu, choose 'Sleep' to put your computer to sleep.
 (Please note that inducing immediate sleep on your MAC carries a higher risk of disrupting active software, such as Mulberry or Oracle Calendar, than activating the screen saver does.)

To wake up a Macintosh from sleep or screen saver mode

 1. Move the mouse or strike any key on the keyboard and wait for the password prompt.

 2. Enter your password.