The new version is Leopard-only. Get it right now. The Tiger-compatible version is also available. The archive contains the obligatory Read Me file which you have to read carefully.

Seriously, there are real security implications with password-protected screen savers. Generally you use this option to prevent people from using your computer while you are away. But there are times when there’s some sensitive information on your screen and it’s enough to stand casually behind your back with a cup of coffee, look over your shoulder and read it. It becomes even easier when you’re out to lunch. To prevent that you have to hide the information behind a sort of curtain. Just start a screen saver and set it to ask for your password. Easy? Yes.

Now imagine a screen saver which lets you see your open documents, login dialogs and stickies containing your bank account numbers and passwords. You don’t jot down your passwords in Stickies.app? Very good. How about a draft of a confidential report?

If you open System Preferences, Security pane and check “Require password to wake this computer from sleep or screen saver”, the screen saver will become opaque. You know why, don’t you? Right, to hide that hot adult site’s front page from your boss for ethical reasons.

So, if you have already enabled the password protection, you must have noticed that Screen Dimmer doesn’t work. Well, actually, it still does, but all you see is a black rectangle. Not even a black square. Just a stupid array of equally black pixels. That’s because the screen saver’s background is now opaque black, beautifully dimmed by Screen Dimmer. Yeah.

If you like Screen Dimmer, though, your first idea might be to turn off the password protection. Think again. Remember, Screen Dimmer does not protect what is already onscreen. You can easily see through it.

If you insist that there are no secrets on your Mac and you use password-protected screen savers only to save your documents from your cat dancing on the keyboard, you can still use Screen Dimmer. First, disable “Require password to wake this computer from sleep or screen saver” in System Preferences, Security. Then go to System Preferences, Desktop & Screen Saver, select Screen Dimmer, click Options and enable “Require password to wake”. Screen Dimmer will ask for your password when you touch the mouse or keyboard, leaving your display readable. Just don’t call it security. You’ve been warned.

Oh, and one more thing. Screen Dimmer is not very good at saving LCD displays. If you want your LCD monitor to last longer, use the Sleep Display option in the Hot Corners sheet of the Desktop & Screen Saver preference pane.

Posted on Wednesday, February 20th, 2008 at 14:34 under Announcements, Mac OS X.
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