How to Engage the Lock Screen on a Mac

As part of our recent and ongoing Security Awareness training here in Barrington 220, a particular recommendation is shared—when we are not using our computers, we should lock our screen. The  Lock Screen setting increases security by restricting unauthorized users from accessing district computers.

While locking the screen is fairly simple on an iPad using a Passcode and/or the Sleep/Wake button (on the upper-right corner of the device), it occurred to me that all users may NOT know how to lock the screen on a Mac.

First, please note that there is a difference between logging out of a Mac and locking the screen. Logging out usually takes several seconds and involves waiting for applications to close, and then later, logging back in requires both a password and waiting for apps to reopen (or you need to open them yourself). Most of us probably don’t have time to wait for these delays several times throughout the day.

However, the Mac can instantly lock the screen in less than a second, and when you need access again, you are returned to the exact point you stopped working in only the amount of time it takes you to type your computer password.

There are at least three ways to easily engage Lock Screen.

Lock Your Screen Immediately

This one is arguably the quickest and requires no setup:
use the key command Command+Control+Q

Less fast, but just as easy, pull down the Apple menu and select Lock Screen.

In both situations, type the computer’s password to unlock.

Set Up Lock Screen with a Hot Corner

A “hot corner” is a feature that allows you to move your computer’s pointer into any of the four corners of your screen to trigger a command, in this case, Lock Screen.

1. Open System Preferences (under the Apple menu and/or in your Dock).
2. Open Desktop & Screen Saver.
3. Click the Screen Saver tab (top center). Click the Hot Corners... button (lower-right corner).
4. Select a corner of your choice and set the behavior to Lock Screen. Click OK.
5. Close System Preferences.

Type the computer’s password to unlock.

Lock Screen Automatically after a Specified Time

This option requires two separate settings, but both are relatively simple.

1. Open System Preferences (under the Apple menu and/or in your Dock).
2. Open Security & Privacy. Click the lock in the lower-left corner and type your computer password to make changes.
3. Click the General tab and check Require password [immediately] after sleep or screen saver begins.
4. Click Show All.
5. Open Desktop & Screen Saver. Click the Screen Saver tab.
6. Select a Screen Saver option and set Start after: a specified amount of time of inactivity.
7. Close System Preferences.

Type the computer’s password to unlock.

Using the Lock Screen feature will increase security by preventing unauthorized users to access your district-assigned Mac.