Find the setting: Set the interval to Immediately for maximum security.
If you forget to lock your computer (Win+L or Cmd+Ctrl+Q), the screensaver timer does it for you. password protected screensaver
| Feature | Password Screensaver | Win+L / Lock Screen | Sleep / Hibernate + Password | Smart Card / YubiKey Lock | |---------|----------------------|----------------------|-------------------------------|----------------------------| | | Yes | No (requires manual) | Yes | Yes (with middleware) | | User-friendly | High | High | Medium (wake delay) | High (tap to lock/unlock) | | Security level | Medium | Medium | Medium | High (2FA) | | Risk of bypass | Low (physical attack) | Low | Medium (sleep bypass bugs) | Very low | | Power saving | No | No | Yes | No | Find the setting: Set the interval to Immediately
| Benefit | Description | |---------|-------------| | | Prevents unauthorized viewing of sensitive data when a user steps away. | | Compliance | Helps meet regulatory requirements (e.g., HIPAA, GDPR, ISO 27001) which mandate automatic session timeouts. | | Defense against physical access attacks | Reduces risk of an adversary quickly accessing files, email, or authenticated web sessions. | | Low resource overhead | Minimal CPU/RAM impact compared to full-disk encryption or complex policies. | | User-friendly | Does not log off applications or close documents; allows instant resumption of work. | | | Compliance | Helps meet regulatory requirements (e
A financial firm deployed a password-protected screensaver with a 30-minute timeout. Employees often left workstations unlocked during breaks.
