While Windows has a built-in, easy-to-use feature to quickly lock the operating system when you need to step away from your machine (hit Windows+L), Macs have no such feature. In my case, that means having to remember to close the lid on my MacBook, and then typing my password in when I want to get working again.
So I was interested to read this TUAW review of a product called Airlock, a utility that works via Bluetooth and automatically locks your Mac when your iPhone/iPod touch moves out of a definable range of your machine and then unlocks it again when you come back. It provides easy-to-use security, and should prove handy for forgetful web workers like me, as it will ensure that your machine is locked whenever you’re away from it.
Airlock costs $7.77, and a license is good to work with up to three Macs. As the TUAW post points out, you could build similar functionality for less with a DIY approach, but Airlock works pretty reliably. A similar sounding app, Bluetooth Auto Lock, is available for Windows.
Tried Airlock, or a similar app? Let us know what you thought of it below.
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