1) What is Guardian Angel?
GENERAL INTRODUCTION
Guardian Angel is an AppleScript utility that offers simple password protection to your Mac.
When run, it launches a system-level dialogue box and asks for an owner-defined password; access to your Mac is blocked until the correct password is given.
FEATURES
Flexibility:
Guardian Angel has three basic modes of operation, each of which can be set as defaults via the preferences:
(i) Access requires your password. If the wrong password is entered three times, Guardian Angel will turn your Mac's volume up to maximum, then sound an alert and put the system to sleep. On wakeup, it displays the message "Security Alert", then allows another three access attempts before putting the machine to sleep again... and so on, until the correct password is entered. If Guardian Angel is unable to put your Mac to sleep, it switches to Screen Block mode.
GA1.5.4 is designed to wait for up to a month for user input; after that it will hit an AppleScript timeout error.
GA2.2.x automatically logs a wrong password if there is no response within 45 seconds
(ii) Secure Sleep puts your Mac to sleep. It requests your password on wakeup, then follows the same routine as Access (above). If your Mac doesn't support sleep, it switches to Screen Block.
(iii) Screen Block places a dialogue box on the screen that prevents all use until the correct password is supplied (it will wait for up to a month for user input; after that it will hit an AppleScript timeout error).
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Demo: For a demo, download the version for your system, double-click to launch, and hit the Demo button.
Personalisation: Once personalised, your password can be changed whenever you wish: launch Guardian Angel, enter the current password, click the New Password button.
Security Log: Whichever mode you're in, Guardian Angel logs the number of attempts made to gain access using incorrect passwords; this is displayed preceded by the hash symbol ( # ) at the top right of the password request dialogue box.
Full details of Guardian Angel's capabilities and limitations, along with complete instructions for installation and use, are given in the "About Guardian Angel" file that is included with the download.
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WHICH VERSION
TO USE/DOWNLOAD
INFO
System 7.5 to MacOS 8.1
Use Guardian Angel 1.5.4. Download Now (60K)
Suitable for any Mac (68k or PPC) running System 7.5 or higher with AppleScript installed.
MacOS 8.5 or higher
Use Guardian Angel 2.2.x Download Now (60K)
PPC only. Requires AppleScript 1.3.4 or higher, which was released with Mac OS 8.5.
(Note for Mac OS 9 users: for general password protection, you may be better off using the multiple users facility. If you require a Screen Block, however, you'll still find Guardian Angel useful).
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