screensaver with lock

jdelagarza · 06-25-2009, 01:47 PM

As you know untangle comes with a kiosk view, allowing any user to reboot or shutdown the box. This is a security concern for many of us.
Here is the procedure to follow to provide a screensaver with lock dialog box.

First of all, you'll need a password for kiosk user. To create a password, use the console/terminal and type 'passwd kiosk'. The prompt will ask you twice for the new password.

Second, you'll need to install xscreensaver. To do so, you have to add Debian (Lenny) repository (this applies to untangle 6.1 and 6.2). Create a new file in /etc/apt/sources.list.d and name it debian.list and write the next line on the file:
'deb http://ftp.us.debian.org/debian lenny main contrib non-free'

After that, at the console do a 'apt-get update'
and then do a 'apt-get install xscreensaver'

Now you have xscreensaver installed! It's time to configure it.
edit the hidden file /home/kiosk/.xsession and just after 'xset dpms' type the following command in a new line: 'xscreensaver &' (no quotation marks) this will start the xscreensaver daemon

edit /home/kiosk/utils/screensaver.sh (this is the script that is called when you hit the "Turn On Screensaver" button. Locate the 'case' function. Type the following command within the 'on)' part: 'xscreensaver-command -lock' (this will call the client side of the screensaver everytime you hit that button).

After this, you'll have to reboot the untangle server, so the .xsession is loaded again. You can't type xscreensaver & into the terminal because terminal is running with root privileges. It has to be run with kiosk user. Once the untangle is rebooted, you'll only have to hit the "Turn On Screensaver" to call the locking screensaver.

I've been trying to customize the windows theming (change the image) with no luck. Please share the procedure if you know how!

Cheers!

dmorris · 06-25-2009, 01:57 PM

WARNING: do not forget to 'rm -f /etc/apt/sources.list.d/debian.list' afterwards

if you do forget to do this, please don't complain when your box explodes randomly or on upgrade.

nice howto jdelagarza!

jdelagarza · 06-25-2009, 02:37 PM

Yeah! you're right!
Thanks!

sky-knight · 06-25-2009, 03:43 PM

You probably don't have to reboot... ctrl + alt + backspace to kill and reload X should get your new config online.

06-25-2009, 01:47 PM	#1 (permalink)
jdelagarza Newbie Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 8	screensaver with lock As you know untangle comes with a kiosk view, allowing any user to reboot or shutdown the box. This is a security concern for many of us. Here is the procedure to follow to provide a screensaver with lock dialog box. First of all, you'll need a password for kiosk user. To create a password, use the console/terminal and type 'passwd kiosk'. The prompt will ask you twice for the new password. Second, you'll need to install xscreensaver. To do so, you have to add Debian (Lenny) repository (this applies to untangle 6.1 and 6.2). Create a new file in /etc/apt/sources.list.d and name it debian.list and write the next line on the file: 'deb http://ftp.us.debian.org/debian lenny main contrib non-free' After that, at the console do a 'apt-get update' and then do a 'apt-get install xscreensaver' Now you have xscreensaver installed! It's time to configure it. edit the hidden file /home/kiosk/.xsession and just after 'xset dpms' type the following command in a new line: 'xscreensaver &' (no quotation marks) this will start the xscreensaver daemon edit /home/kiosk/utils/screensaver.sh (this is the script that is called when you hit the "Turn On Screensaver" button. Locate the 'case' function. Type the following command within the 'on)' part: 'xscreensaver-command -lock' (this will call the client side of the screensaver everytime you hit that button). After this, you'll have to reboot the untangle server, so the .xsession is loaded again. You can't type xscreensaver & into the terminal because terminal is running with root privileges. It has to be run with kiosk user. Once the untangle is rebooted, you'll only have to hit the "Turn On Screensaver" to call the locking screensaver. I've been trying to customize the windows theming (change the image) with no luck. Please share the procedure if you know how! Cheers!

06-25-2009, 03:43 PM	#4 (permalink)
sky-knight Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Phoenix, AZ URLs submitted: 7 Posts: 9,951	You probably don't have to reboot... ctrl + alt + backspace to kill and reload X should get your new config online. __________________ Intouch Technology Rob Sandling, BS:SWE, MCP Office: 480-272-9889 rob@intouchtechllc.com

06-25-2009, 01:57 PM	#2 (permalink)
dmorris Untangle Junkie Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: San Mateo, CA URLs submitted: 10 Posts: 6,694	WARNING: do not forget to 'rm -f /etc/apt/sources.list.d/debian.list' afterwards if you do forget to do this, please don't complain when your box explodes randomly or on upgrade. nice howto jdelagarza!

06-25-2009, 02:37 PM	#3 (permalink)
jdelagarza Newbie Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 8	Yeah! you're right! Thanks!