Setting Up the Login Process

Once you’ve set up more than one account, the screen shown in Figure 13-1 appears whenever you turn on the Mac, whenever you choose →Log Out, or whenever the Mac logs you out automatically. But a few extra controls let you, an administrator, set up either more or less security at the Login screen—or, put another way, build in less or more convenience.

Open System Preferences, click Users & Groups, click the , enter an admin password to prove your worthiness, and then click the Login Options button (Figure 13-9). Here are some of the ways you can shape the login experience for greater security (or greater convenience):

Tip

Actually, there’s one more, rather secret login option—and if you’re a laptop lugger, you might really like it. You can create a message that appears on the Login screen whenever you—or, rather, not you—turn on the computer. For example, it could be an “If found, contact…” message. Or a “$500 reward” message.

To set it up, open System Preferences→Security & Privacy→General. Click the , authenticate yourself, and then turn on “Show a message when the screen is locked.” Click Set Lock Message, and then type your message. (Press Option-Return to create a new paragraph.) And hope whoever finds your laptop has a conscience.