Locking with USB drive

usb security lock-screen

14,676

Solution 1

Don't know of any program but you can create a simple script that can do that like in this example:

http://www.techienote.com/2011/03/lock-unlock-ubuntu-desktop-using-usb-drive.html

Solution 2

Well, a module called PAM (Pluggable Authentication module) can be customized to achieve your need. A beautiful article is available on linuxconfig describing this in detail.

The steps are:

Install PAM

$ sudo apt-get install pamusb-tools libpam-usb

Add USB device to PAM config

$ sudo pamusb-conf --add-device <my-usb-stick>

Select your volume and "Y" to save

Define user for PAM auth

$ sudo pamusb-conf --add-user <ubuntu-user>

Select and "Y" to save
Configure PAM
```
$ sudo gedit /etc/pam.d/common-auth
```
Add the line below and save
```
auth    sufficient      pam_usb.so
```
Test the PAM auth
```
$ su ubuntu-user
```
Lock when disconnected
```
$ sudo gedit /etc/pamusb.conf
```

Modify the block "user" block to look like:

<user id="ubuntu-user"> 
      <device> 
              my-usb-stick 
      </device> 
      <agent event="lock">gnome-screensaver-command -l</agent> 
      <agent event="unlock">gnome-screensaver-command -d</agent> 
 </user>*

cuttlefish could be one solution to do it as @maythux suggested. I really can't comment on its capabilities, I prefer to stay away from 3rd party apps as much as possible.

14,676

Community

Updated on September 18, 2022

Comments

Community almost 2 years

Possible Duplicate:
Lock and Unlock from USB disk (pendrive)

When i use Windows, there is a program I use called Predator that locks my PC when I remove a certain USB flash drive. It then unlocks the computer when I reinsert it.

Is there any program like this for Ubuntu?
- January almost 12 years
  
  Can you explain what the program does?
- SirCharlo almost 12 years
  
  @January You don't know about Predator? :O
- January almost 12 years
  
  @SirCharlo I do know about this Predator only; since I hardly ever used Windows, I can hardly know every weird little program for Windows.
- Admin almost 12 years
  
  @January predator-usb.com/predator/en/index.php
- SirCharlo almost 12 years
  
  @January It ain't weird. It's awesome :)
- Admin almost 12 years
  
  GUTS GUYS GUYS . i dont want comments about how much predator is good ?
- January almost 12 years
  
  Why would anyone use anything like that? Escapes my comprehension.
- Admin almost 12 years
  
  if anyone is lazy to write password so he'll use it :D
- SirCharlo almost 12 years
  
  @January Meh.. Lock and unlock quickly without entering a password.
- January almost 12 years
  
  Oh, typing deficiency, I get it (it would take me much more time to fumble with a USB stick, dig it out from my trousers pocket, putting it the right way in the USB slot... while typing the password is as good as instant)
- Admin almost 12 years
  
  those are thousands linux guys . and i think only i didnt found it @aking1012
- pzkpfw almost 12 years
  
  Full disk encryption with a passphrase stored on a USB stick?
an offer can't refuse almost 12 years

how i can find my USB ID ?
Branimir Kolar almost 12 years

It's explained on that site in terminal "...run lsusb and locate your USB Device..."
an offer can't refuse almost 12 years

is there any recovery when i lost my drive?
SirCharlo almost 12 years

@EnesKuray Check out my last comment, under your question.
Branimir Kolar almost 12 years

@EnesKuray you can always enter your password to login to desktop
an offer can't refuse almost 12 years

how can i use 2 device ?