How can I leave the remote screen locked when I ARD/VNC/etc. to my Mac?

Question

I'm currently using Jolly's Fast VNC and Mac OS X's built-in VNC server (System Preferences, Sharing, Screen Sharing) to access my iMac remotely.

Here's my problem: When I'm using the iMac remotely, the screensaver deactivates and the screen is unlocked. If someone had physical access to my iMac they could walk up to it and start using it.

Is there some way I can set things up so that when I'm using my iMac remotely the screen stays locked, like Windows XP Professional does when you're using RDP?

I know I can use X remotely with the iMac locked, but I would like to use Mac applications remotely, too.

Solution 1

Using ARD, use the Curtain option to control the computer. That will ask for a "Lock" message, that will be displayed while you are controlling the computer. The display will be changed to a picture of a "Lock", and your message... So be polite.

Otherwise, you can take control of the computer normally, and click on the "Lock" message.

If you are using the built-in remote control software with Leopard / Snow Leopard, there is no method to lock the screen while controlling it. There had been some functionality in 10.5.0 - 10.5.5, but Apple removed it in 10.5.5. (It was unadvertised and required a hack to enable it)

Solution 2

On Tiger (i.e. without the built-in VNC server) I use the Vine VNC server. And what is supported there is fast user switching. So if the server is running, I can switch to a different user (or to the log-in screen) and still are able to connect to VNC server.

I am not sure if the built-in VNC server is supporting this as well, but you could give it a try.

The disadvantage of this solution (if it works) is still that you have to remember to do the fast user switching when you leave the iMac (and want remote access later on).

Solution 3

Using your ARD / VNC client there should be an option to take control of the screen, this will not allow other users to generate user input while you're controlling it. Then when you're done, simply lock the screen and disconnect.

Comments

[phuclv]

Unlocking the display of a VNC session while leaving the physical display locked, VNC session with locked screen, How to decouple the VNC server's screen from the physical screen?

[Dominic Cooney]

"Curtains" are exactly what I need. I pinged the author of Jolly's FastVNC; unfortunately it is an undocumented Apple extension to VNC, which means I have to buy ARD 3. Let's say, hypothetically, that I'm extremely cheap...

[Dominic Cooney]

Per @benjamin-schollnick's answer this is a feature of ARD, but unfortunately not Jolly's FastVNC.

[Dominic Cooney]

I don't understand how this helps: The computer will still be unlocked while I am using it.

[Dominic Cooney]

No, wait, you're right--even Jolly's FastVNC has options to set the keyboard "invasiveness." But I'd really like something that left the screen hidden too.

[Dustin]

Try RealVNC Server. They advertise the lock screen support, but I believe it's only at the "higher" levels... (eg. Enterprise edition). But they do have a 30 day trial package...

[Arjan]

On Tiger (and maybe on later versions too), this even supports multiple simultaneous users).

[Dustin]

"Is it possible to send a message to the Apple computer without running ARD, for example, when taking control from logmein plugin ??" - If you are using VNC, or some other VNC based software, the lock functionality will probably not be there... Apple Remote Desktop is the best solution for this. Jolly Fast VNC may be able to use that functionality, but they will have to add it to their software...