Any time you walk away from your computer and don’t lock it or log off, you’re giving others access to use your computer as you. They could send email from your account, tamper with your files (locally and on the file server), and access confidential data. This poses a security risk for both you and your association.
The best idea is to lock your computer whenever you walk away. Locking your computer will not shut down any programs or close any files you are working on. Your user name and password will get you right back where you left off.
ON A WINDOWS COMPUTER:
Or, just simply press the Windows and L keys
ON A MACINTOSH COMPUTER:
To activate the screen saver using a hot corner:
But what about the times that a trip three feet to the copy machine turns into a conversation with a coworker that necessitates a visit to their office and thirty minutes later you finally make it back to your computer? If you didn’t go back and lock your computer, then it was not secure during the time you were away.
Fortunately, you can set Windows and Mac OS to lock your computer after a certain amount of inactivity.
Click here to get instructions: http://www.it.cornell.edu/security/computer/screenlock.cfm
Sources: Cornell’s Security Handbook: http://www.it.cornell.edu/security/handbook.cfm; http://blogs.mccombs.utexas.edu/the-most/2011/05/25/lock-your-computer-when-youre-away/; http://community.pepperdine.edu/it/security/tips/quicklock.htm