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[Freeware] Lock Your Computer Using USB Flash Drive

Monday, 15 June 2009, 17:46 | Free, Tools | 6 Comments | Read 176 Times
by Vaibhav

Predator is a freeware utility which allows you to lock and protect your computer using a USB Flash Drive. With PREDATOR, you can use the USB Flash Drive as a key to your computer’s lock. In order to unlock and use the PC, you would need the same USB Flash drive.

PREDATOR is a small utility which allows you to lock your computer using a USB Flash Drive. It is free to download. Predator even allows you to set a password which can be used in scenarios when you have forgotten your password.

In order to get started with protecting and locking your computer ( while you are away) using the USB Flash Drive, follow the steps below 1.) Download and install Predator from here.

Image: Lock Your Computer Using Predator

Image: Lock Your Computer Using Predator

2.) Next, launch the program by navigating to Start Menu -> All Programs ->Predator. A dialog box will ask you to enter a password and to prepare a USB flash drive. 3.) Insert your USB drive and click OK to continue. Note: the current contents of your flash drive will be unchanged by this operation. Files on your USB drive will not be deleted nor modified in any way

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Image: Preferences screen for locking your computer using a USB Flash Drive

Image: Preferences screen for locking your computer using a USB Flash Drive

4.) Next, a Preferences dialog is shown. Here you need to enter the password of your choice in the “New Password” field. You will use the password to unlock your session if you lose your USB key. 5.) Check that the drive letter displayed under “USB key drive” actually matches your flash drive or choose the correct letter from the dropdown list. 6.) Click the “Create key” button. 7.) Finally, click OK.

Image: Lock Your Computer with a USB Drive

Image: Lock Your Computer with a USB Drive

8.) The window closes and the software is now in operation. You can check this by looking at the padlock icon that flashes in the taskbar. After you have configured Predator and the USB Flash Drive by creating a key, you can continue to work on your PC as usual. Whenever, you wish to lock your PC and move away, just remove the USB Drive, once it is removed, the keyboard and mouse are disabled and the screen darkens. When you return back to your PC, you need to put the USB flash drive in place and keyboard and mouse are immediately released, and the display is restored.

Other Advanced Security Features Provided By PREDATOR

1.) PREDATOR records all security-related events in a log file: start, alarms, stop. By reading this log, you will know if intruders have tried to use your computer while you have been away.

2.) PREDATOR frequently changes the security codes recorded on your USB drive. If an intruder manages to copy your key, this copy will not work because the codes on your own key will have changed in the meantime.

3.) PREDATOR disables the Windows task manager when you remove the USB key. Nobody can stop it with Ctrl-Alt-Del.

4.) PREDATOR can sound an audible alarm if somebody enters an invalid password.

Also Read: [How-To] Shut Down any Remote Computer

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  • celticsting

    great idea, but rebooted my pc when i removed my usb stick

  • http://www.Best-IT-Pros.com AMAQ

    hi,

    you can use the USB Drive Monitor to lock your PC using your USB as an access key, you can also record logs of files contained on unauthorized USB Drives inserted to your pc up to 3 folder levels deep…….and much more

    try it its free, type “USB Drive Monitor Download” in google.

  • Sohoky

    It’s a simple locker and requires a password to be remembered. Too simple to be that complicated. I use Rohos Logon Key – it’s not just locks/unlocks PC but adds security to your machine. And also, you say “You will use the password to unlock your session if you lose your USB key.” Rohos Logon in this case has Emergency logon. You may say that Predator is freeware but Rohos Logon is shareware. But with Rohos Logon I worry not about my PC security.

  • http://www.Best-IT-Pros.com AMAQ

    USB Drive Monitor Quick Modes Selection: USB Drive Monitor Has 4 Pre-Configured Modes for ease of use while keeping the customization of options possible for the user. You can select each mode by going to the quick mode selection tab and clicking on the mode you want. A screen on the right will show you all the changed that have been made to activate the mode, it will also show the user’s custom changes. A brief description of the Mode is shown at the bottom display area.
    Silent Logger Mode
    Alert and Secure Mode
    Attack and Secure Mode
    Access Key Mode
    Silent Logger Mode: This mode allows you to secretly log information about the USB Mass Storage Devices inserted to your PC. You can chose this mode and then click on “hide” button to hide the program from users. A log of all Foreign USB Mass Storage Devices will be updated every 5 seconds to save the following information: Time, USB hardware Unique ID, USB Size, USB Name, USB Letter, Root directory and up to 3 folder levels file contents. This log information applies to all modes.
    Alert and Secure Mode: When a Foreign USB Drive is inserted, this mode will generate sound alerts, text messages and will not stop until you insert your Personal USB Drive or your password into your PC.
    Attack and Secure Mode: This mode will delete files on the inserted USB Mass Storage Device, Disable Task Manger, Disable Mass Storage Devices, Activates a screensaver with a password protection, generates a sound alert, and only your Personal USB Drive or your Password will unlock your PC.
    Access Key Mode: This Mode allows you to use your Personal USB Drive as an access key to your PC. When removed it secures your PC by activating a screensaver and disabling task manager. to unlock your PC insert your Personal USB Drive to your PC.

  • http://www.Best-IT-Pros.com AMAQ

    USB Drive Monitor Quick Modes Selection: USB Drive Monitor Has 4 Pre-Configured Modes for ease of use while keeping the customization of options possible for the user.

    -Access Key Mode
    -Silent Logger Mode
    -Alert and Secure Mode
    -Attack and Secure Mode

    Access Key Mode: This Mode allows you to use your Personal USB Drive as an access key to your PC. When removed it secures your PC by activating a screensaver and disabling task manager. to unlock your PC insert your Personal USB Drive to your PC.

    Silent Logger Mode: This mode allows you to secretly log information about the USB Mass Storage Devices inserted to your PC. You can chose this mode and then click on “hide” button to hide the program from users. A log of all Foreign USB Mass Storage Devices will be updated every 5 seconds to save the following information: Time, USB hardware Unique ID, USB Size, USB Name, USB Letter, Root directory and up to 3 folder levels file contents. This log information applies to all modes.

    Alert and Secure Mode: When a Foreign USB Drive is inserted, this mode will generate sound alerts, text messages and will not stop until you insert your Personal USB Drive or your password into your PC.

    Attack and Secure Mode: This mode will delete files on the inserted USB Mass Storage Device, Disable Task Manger, Disable Mass Storage Devices, Activates a screensaver with a password protection, generates a sound alert, and only your Personal USB Drive or your Password will unlock your PC.

  • dinadana

    Hey.
    For software i can recommend ProteMac Logon Sentry. Good programm!
    http://www.protemac.com/Logon_Sentry/

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