Is there any Desktop lock available

Question

Is the any software available to just prevent the desktop from accessing (ie I want to lock the desktop, but want to downloads to continue)

Previously I was using clearlock on Windows

Answer 1

On Ubuntu (with the default desktop settings), locking the desktop is done with Ctrl + Alt + L.

Edit: I believe Super + L works too in recent versions of Ubuntu, which is the same as in Windows.

No additional software is required.

This will not halt or pause any software. Downloads should continue as normal.

Answer 2

Default Lock option must do the trick, but if you want a simple alternative, use slock

sudo apt-get install suckless-tools

You can lock by simply invoking slock at any terminal, or by binding it to a keyboard shortcut. To unlock, simply activate your display (if it got turned off), and blindly type in your password.

Note that there will not be any sort of indication of echo back of the password you type. You will see a plane blue screen. Type the password and hit enter to unlock.

Answer 3

To invoke a "lock" from the command line, you can accomplish this with gnome-screensaver-command -l, based on this Q/A: How do I lock the screen from a terminal?

However, for a "clear" locking solution you can try xtrlock.

sudo apt-get install xtrlock

Then you can invoke it from a terminal:

xtrlock

This will allow you to continue to view the desktop, while remaining locked. To unlock it, just type your password.

Note: I was confused by this at first, because it never presents you with a dialog or prompt to enter your password. You just start typing it, and it unlocks when you hit Enter.