Can a Chromebook be configured to automatically lock the screen when I close the lid?
There is a discussion in If someone steals my chromebook while it's off, will him be able to see my cached data? about the security of user data for a Chromebook which has been shutdown, but I am trying to ensure user data is secure when the laptop is suspended by closing the lid. My device is a Samsung Series 5 running (obviously!) the latest version of ChromeOS. I've noticed that the default configuration has the laptop resuming with no password prompt after being suspended.
On a Chromium support page (Protecting Cached User Data), the following is mentioned as a risk which allows the encryption mechanism to be bypassed:
An attacker will be able to access all user data if the machine is suspended or logged in and screen locking is disabled.
I haven't been able to find more details yet on how to enable "screen locking".
Please note that I know there is a "lock" menu item I could select before closing the lid but I'm really trying to keep with what I believe is the spirit of the Chrome OS experience by minimizing any extra steps that stand between me and my personal computing. I want locking to "just work" (but of course I am willing to take the extra step of typing my password when I resume from suspend).
3 Answers
You can get this option by following these steps:
- Sign in to your Chrome device.
- Click the status area in the lower-right corner, where your account picture appears.
- Select Settings and Help and find the "People" section.
- Use the "Require password to wake from sleep" check box to adjust this setting.
Now each time your Chromebook goes to 'sleep' you will need a password at the lock screem.
Solution as of v91.0.
- Open the Chromebook Settings by clicking on the clock in the lower right and then the gear icon on the top of menu.
- Click on Security aed Privacy on the left menu and then select Lock screen and sign-in.
- Confirm in your password.
- Turn on show lock screen when waking up from sleep.
Not possible; see feature request (restricted access, sorry) for a power option "Lock when cover is closed".
Workaround: select both options "Sleep when cover is closed" and "Show lock screen when waking up from sleep".
