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Lock mac?

P

piBook

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Sep 30, 2005
19
0
Hello, I hope this is put in the right section, if it isn't please forgive me :)

Anyway, does any one know a app that allows me to turn my USB memory stick into a 'key' like device, so when it is connected the laptop is unlocked, and vice-versa. I had an app called PodSmith, however connecting my iPod became slightly annoying - and I seem to have lost it anyway!!

Thanks :)
 
I fail to see the reason for this. I'm sorry, but what's wrong with a password?
 
To be honest, I'm not sure. I guess I am a little overprotective, and think someone will guess the password and delete my all important documents, I also think it would be cool, as I always have the usb stick with me, so nobody would be able to access my computer without my permission. Like the fingerprint scanners I guess..
 
I know there is no need, but heck - I just want it, heh.

A secure password is hard to remember, and forgetable.. and it would just be something to play with.
 
piBook said:
I know there is no need, but heck - I just want it, heh.

A secure password is hard to remember, and forgetable.. and it would just be something to play with.
Click to expand...

They aren't that hard to remember - I need to remember at least half a dozen of them for all the different systems, etc. I have to access, whether it be at home or at work.

But I understand what you're saying - sometimes it's fun to have things like that "just cuz". ;) :cool:
 
Exactly. I have now been searching for a while, and not come to any success. Loads of apps for the PC, typical!

I am even considering attempting to create an app myself, but have no experiance in making apps for macs.
 
Thanks for the help, however I was trying to find some software that would use my current USB drive as the 'key', and PodSmith is just the thing, however it only works with iPod's and not my usb stick.

Perhaps I am asking too much..
 
piBook said:
I am even considering attempting to create an app myself, but have no experiance in making apps for macs.
Click to expand...

You can always look on places like versiontracker and sourceforge, to see if anyone who does make apps for Mac has done this. They are excellent resources.
 
Nope, still can't find anything anywhere - perhaps what I would like is impossible. However, Griffin have made something called the SecriKey, it is exactly what I want, however I dont have the extorstionate price required for it..
 
piBook said:
Nope, still can't find anything anywhere - perhaps what I would like is impossible. However, Griffin have made something called the SecriKey, it is exactly what I want, however I dont have the extorstionate price required for it..
Click to expand...

Yeah, it sucks when that happens... ;)

Good luck in your continued search.
 
Ive given up, it just isn't gonna happen but thanks to all the help :(

I have tried to find a fingerprint reader that supports Mac, but haven't found one - does anybody reccommend one that is avaliable in the U.K? Another option was the SecuriKey - but that seems to be US only and quite expensive..
 
piBook said:
Ive given up, it just isn't gonna happen but thanks to all the help :(

I have tried to find a fingerprint reader that supports Mac, but haven't found one - does anybody reccommend one that is avaliable in the U.K? Another option was the SecuriKey - but that seems to be US only and quite expensive..
Click to expand...
I don't know if anybody has mentioned this but...

http://www.securikey.com/
 
I'm a little bonkers about security as well (password length in the dozens!) as my mac is very much a public resource in a dorm room that regularly has 8-12 people in it. I don't want anyone fiddling with it when I'm not there, but you have to remember that there are some things you CANNOT protect against. If they have local access and they want to screw you bad enough, they can do it. Removing the hard drive and whacking it with a hammer are the biggest ones that come to mind, and there is very little you can do save locking your computer in a safe. Open firmware password? disabling core dumps and protecting your memory? You name it, a motivated cracker can bypass it. Like you, my security is very much for my own benefit.

That said, my newest trick is a network of webcams that I make motion sensitive when I leave. I got the demo of SecuritySpy and did some applescripting to pop up a password dialog, and Automator, to make all this available from a contextual menu. You could put a folder action in the hidden /Volumes folder to lock the screen when it doesn't detect the drive's name, but then all someone needs to know is the name of it and they can pop in anything that'll bypass it. You could script something that looks for the drive's name, then accesses a file with a random string of characters or something, locking the screen if this isn't found. I've never actually done this, so I can't actually assure you that it'll work. But fiddle around; applescript is fun! :)
 
piBook said:
Ive given up, it just isn't gonna happen but thanks to all the help :(

I have tried to find a fingerprint reader that supports Mac, but haven't found one - does anybody reccommend one that is avaliable in the U.K? Another option was the SecuriKey - but that seems to be US only and quite expensive..
Click to expand...

Fingerprint reader? Waht about the Sony Puppy?
Puppy
 
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