ebun101
Level 1 (0 points)

Q: Manually grey out options in system preferences.

I have a MacBook Pro, running 10.8.2 and I'm the only user (admin of course) with guest accounts disabled. In system preferences, I have the option of, requiring my password after sleep or screen saver begins, set to immediately. When I click the lock at the bottom to lock everything so it can't be changed, requiring my password doesn't get greyed-out. I find this to be a slight security flaw and was wondering, is there a way to make it greyed-out after locking my preferences, maybe through terminal? My brother keeps trying to change it when I'm away for a minute, so he can get on when I'm at work or not home. I don't want him to mess with my school projects  or papers, (he likes to insert crude words where I might not catch it). Thanks!

Posted on Jul 18, 2014 10:28 PM

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ebun101

Q: Manually grey out options in system preferences.

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  • Helpful answers

  • by Kappy,

    Kappy Kappy Jul 18, 2014 10:39 PM in response to ebun101
    Level 10 (270,423 points)
    Desktops
    Jul 18, 2014 10:39 PM in response to ebun101

    If your brother can log into your computer or you leave the computer running when not present, then your brother can change anything as long as he knows your password.

     

    The idea of the lock on System Preferences is that except for certain preferences others are unlocked automatically when you are logged in to the user account. The OS X security is fine, but you may not be using it properly by allowing others access to the computer and your account.

  • by ebun101,

    ebun101 ebun101 Jul 20, 2014 8:58 PM in response to Kappy
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jul 20, 2014 8:58 PM in response to Kappy

    He doesn't know my password, he just disables having to type it in when i put it to sleep/screen saver because that option isn't greyed-out when you lock system preferences. When I leave my computer for a minute, for a snack or something, he tries to turn it off. I would like to have it greyed out when I lock system preferences so he can't disable it. For me its a flaw, and I would like to fix it.

  • by Kappy,

    Kappy Kappy Jul 20, 2014 9:44 PM in response to ebun101
    Level 10 (270,423 points)
    Desktops
    Jul 20, 2014 9:44 PM in response to ebun101

    He can't disable having to type it without knowing what your password is. For an added level of protection when you put it to sleep open Security & Privacy preferences, click on the lock and enter your password, check the top box, Require Password.

  • by ebun101,

    ebun101 ebun101 Jul 21, 2014 10:10 PM in response to Kappy
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jul 21, 2014 10:10 PM in response to Kappy

    Oh yes he can.

    Screen Shot 2014-07-22 at 12.53.03 AM.pngScreen Shot 2014-07-22 at 12.53.06 AM.pngScreen Shot 2014-07-22 at 12.54.37 AM.pngScreen Shot 2014-07-22 at 12.53.10 AM.png

    See how system preferences is still locked? This is why I would like to change it so it becomes greyed out, as you can still change it so it's unlocked up to an hour before having to type my password in.

     

    Edit:

    For some reason I can't find how to disable requiring my password completely even when I unlock system preferences, and theres no box to check for it, so maybe somethings wrong there..

  • by Kappy,

    Kappy Kappy Jul 21, 2014 10:24 PM in response to ebun101
    Level 10 (270,423 points)
    Desktops
    Jul 21, 2014 10:24 PM in response to ebun101

    You can change it because you are the admin user. But no one can change the settings unless they are permitted access to your account. Since you don't protect your account from access by putting it to sleep when you are away and requiring a password to wake it up, you leave the computer open for attack.

  • by ebun101,

    ebun101 ebun101 Jul 21, 2014 10:42 PM in response to Kappy
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jul 21, 2014 10:42 PM in response to Kappy

    As I said previously, he changes it when I'm away for less than a minute for a snack or something. I don't want to keep putting it to sleep/screen-saver every second I walk away to type it in again a minute later. I would just like the option of having it greyed out upon locking system preferences. I've been searching other sites but no one seems to have a fix. If you don't know how to grey it out, your replies aren't helpful to me.

  • by Eric Root,

    Eric Root Eric Root Jul 23, 2014 10:23 AM in response to ebun101
    Level 9 (70,250 points)
    iTunes
    Jul 23, 2014 10:23 AM in response to ebun101

    Mine is the same way.

     

    Send Apple feedback. They won't answer, but at least will know there is a problem. If enough people send feedback, it may get the problem solved sooner.


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