Security

MacSentry is equipped with various methods to protect your computer for you while you are away. The following is a list of things MacSentry does to prevent unwanted access to your computer:

Desktop Hidden

MacSentry hides the menu bar and desktop including all icons and all other running applications and windows so that a user cannot see what you were doing before launching MacSentry. The control strip and application switcher are also automatically hidden when MacSentry is launched. All the user sees is the MacSentry dialog over the desktop pattern, nothing else.

Force-Quit Disabled

The Mac OS has a command that forces running applications to quit manually, without “asking” the application first. This would override MacSentry’s password function and allow a user access to your computer. MacSentry, however, disables this command so that a user cannot use it to bypass MacSentry.

Current Process Monitoring

MacSentry is constantly monitoring which process (running application) is in the foreground. If ever it is not MacSentry, MacSentry will initiate a command to the System and tell it to activate MacSentry so that it is the front-most application. This prevents a user from switching active applications and gaining access to your computer while MacSentry is running in the background.

Attempted Access Warnings

MacSentry keeps track of how many times a user attempts to gain access to your computer, for example by entering an incorrect password or by attempting to switch applications. When you dismiss MacSentry by entering the correct password, MacSentry will notify you of how many times access was attempted. A user who enters an incorrect password will not be notified that his or her attempt was noted.

Possible Failure Warnings

MacSentry also keeps track of how it was quit the last time it was used. That is, if MacSentry is not quit in the standard way (by entering a valid password), it will notify you the next time it is run that a possible failure may have occurred. This is to let you know that someone may have found a way around MacSentry and that your files may not be safe.

Keep in mind, however that this warning does not necessarily mean MacSentry was defeated. If, for example, the computer was turned off or the reset button was pressed while MacSentry was running, MacSentry will report this as a possible failure because it was not quit properly.

Miscellaneous Protection Features

MacSentry has more various features to protect your computer, however for the sake of security, these features will not be mentioned in detail. MacSentry is designed to provide useful security for your computer, however you should be aware that it is not completely bulletproof. MacSentry is intended for use by computer users who wish to make it difficult for novice users to access their computer.