Is there a way to set a password to access the computer?

Question

Not the login keyring thing that pops up, but some people are being nosy and using my computer and I'd like to set a password before Ubuntu desktop even loads so people can't access my computer. Is this possible?

I have a question... did you specify your system to automatically log in on startup? — Thomas Ward, Apr 03 '11 at 05:12

score 1 · Answer 1 · edited Apr 13 '17 at 12:23

1

The only way to hide your private data from nosy eyes is using an encrypted system as booting with a live CD grants root access to your system and your $HOME directory to anybody.

edited Apr 13 '17 at 12:23

Community

1

answered Apr 03 '11 at 07:27

Takkat

142,284

score 0 · Accepted Answer · answered Apr 03 '11 at 05:32

0

Turn off "automatic login" in your system preferences. Unless you have specifically set it up to auto-login, ubuntu will require a password before anyone can use the computer.

answered Apr 03 '11 at 05:32

ImaginaryRobots

9,136

And make sure the guest login is disabled as well. – Thomas Ward Apr 03 '11 at 05:33

score 0 · Answer 3 · answered Apr 03 '11 at 10:22

Adding a boot password (from your BIOS settings) can also help deal with nosy people. It isn't fully secure, as someone could still remove your hard drive and access the files on it, but it you don't want to mess with encryption, a boot password and a login password will keep most people out.

Is there a way to set a password to access the computer?

3 Answers3