Lock your computer using USB flash drive
Do you know that we can use our USB flash drive as computer lock? You need a USB flash drive and a freeware called Log Monitor. This article will discuss the steps to configure them.
Log Monitor is a freeware that has many usages. I try to go to the author page but i can’t understand the language, but i think most probably the author is a Russian. After playing with this application, i found that it can actually lock our computer and prevent others to login. The theory behind this is very simple. It keep monitoring your USB flash drive, once the file being monitored changed, or you remove the USB flash drive, this application will immediately lock your computer. If you remove your USB flash drive and the login to your computer, this application will immediately lock your computer again. Unless you hold the USB flash drive, else you can’t access that computer.
Step 1
You need to create a .log file in your USB flash drive. The file name can be anything and you can left your content blank. But, my advise is try to type something and make sure no people can get this file. I had create an example log file and will provide the download address at the end of this article.
Step 2
Go to Monitoring and choose Add File:
Now, choose the log file that you created, and change the Do Action’s option to If the file has been changed. Please check the Perform action if monitored file does not exist so that this application can lock your computer when you unplug your USB flash drive.
After that, switch to Options tab and set the interval to 1 second. This means Log Monitor will keep pulling each 1 second. If you think that this will affect your computer speed, you can set this value to higher.
Step 3
Now, go to Actions tab and choose New -> Execute Program. Fill in the parametes below:
Command: C:\Windows\system32\rundll32.exe
Parameters: user32.dll,LockWorkStation
Start in: C:\Windows\system32
Step 4
This is the final step. Go back to the main page and choose Options -> Program Options. At the General tab, check Minimize on start if you want Log Monitor minimize to system try when startup. Next, check the Start on user logon. Be careful, remember to make 1 copy of your log file if you check this. After you check this option, Log Monitor will automatically launch after you login. If you lost the log file, means you can’t control your computer anymore. After everything done, save the settings to your system and try unplug your USB. Your computer will be locked immediately!
You can download the example of log file and the configuration here. You can also download Log Monitor from Freeware-guide.
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332 readers.
I am using this program too, very easy to set up. I included my own company’s product also to prevent the USB from getting lost. Guess it is a work habit
@Paddy: Yup, it is very easy to setup. But i will make a copy of my log file for emergency use. Else, you can;t open your PC anymore if you lose your USB drive.
Nice app for securing the system, good find.
dicky, it is a good move to backup the log file…stored it in a secure place,
There is one major issue with this.
If I were to plug a drive into my computer as the “K” drive, and placed the file there — it would work everytime that drive mounts to the letter “K.”
However, if I plugged in another drive first, there is a chance that “K” drive will be “L” and it will log me out instantaneously — even though I have the drive plugged in.
Is there anyway to make it so that as long as it’s in drives “X-Y” (example) it would allow me to login?
@Brendan: I don’t think it will work. If you plug in another drive first, the application will log you out because the application won’t search “L” for the file.
what happens if i lose my flash drive? and i no longer have the Log file?
@sam: If you lose your flash drive, then u will not able to log in to your windows. You may try safe mode, but i am not sure it works or not. The best way is to backup your log file and send to your own email account.
is it possible to use an sd card i have a million of them
@Brad: You can use your SD card to store the log file, but remember to email a backup to yourself. Else you won’t able to log in to your PC once the SD card spoil.
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I love this. What I need now is some way to plug it back in and have the machine sign me back on. Ideas?
http://www.softtreetech.com/24×7/archive/51.htm
I have used the above URL’s script in another scenario and it worked well, but it had a trigger that allowed its use. I’m unsure of how to use this script in conjunction with the “Log Monitor” program.
Thanks to all who share ideas!
how do I create a .log file??? please help me…!!!!
@Enoch: You can simply create a new file with .log extension.