spmug 570 Locking Down Mac OS X

Q. How do I turn on a password for my Mac? What other kinds of security
features are available within Mac OS X? A. Mac OS X 10.4 (also known as
Tiger) includes several built-in utilities to help keep both your Mac
and your data safe. Apple has an overview of Tiger security at
www.apple.com/macosx/features/security. You can, for example, choose to
skip the automatic log-in process when your Mac starts up, and instead
require a password to get into the system. The password controls are in
the Mac's System Preferences area; click the Accounts icon and then the
Log-in Options icon in the box to change your settings. You'll probably
have to type in your Mac's administrator password to make changes. You
can further lock down your Mac's data with the FileVault feature. In the
System Preferences box, click on the Security icon to open the FileVault
and other security settings. FileVault encrypts all the files in your
Home folder, using your log-in password as the key to unlocking your
files. You can get into trouble if you forget your log-in password,
though, so you're prompted to set a different master password that can
decrypt the FileVault files. In the Security settings box, you can also
disable the Mac's automatic log-in feature and even set the computer to
demand a password when it wakes up from its screen saver or sleep state.
And if you're worried about someone poking around your computer if you
step away, you can set the system to automatically log you out after a
specified period of inactivity.