For most of us, personal computer is a place where we live our own world. Here, we do our office work, watch movies, listen to songs, play games etc. So, privacy is an utmost requirement to restrict unwanted interruptions. Microsoft understands this and that’s why there is are options to create multiple user accounts, lock you account and switch to other. But there are some disadvantages in using multiple user accounts. Suppose you have an important job opened in your account and another user using his user account shuts down the PC. Windows does alert in such situation but how often common users respond properly to alerts in a PC! So, if the computer you are using is really ‘Personal’ and not for public usage, it is always recommended to use accounts that are under your control only (password protected). You may give its access to some reliable users by providing them the password.

Windows default account locking has a few disadvantages: To provide someone its access, you need to giveaway your password and he/she may change your password (for joking!) and under that situation there is almost no easy way to recover your password. Secure My Screen developed by Benchtech Software, is an alternative to Windows default account locking that has all its usefulness minus its disadvantages. According to the developer,

Secure My Screen is a revolutionary third party screen locker that is designed to keep your computer safe and secure whilst you are away from it. Secure My Screen employs advanced technology to make sure that your screen stays locked no matter what. Task manager cannot be used to close Secure My Screen and key combinations such as Alt + F4 and the close button will not work. Meaning that your screen really does stay locked. There is a great deal more to Secure My Screen than just screen locking however. Features such as multiple unlock passwords for trusted friends and family, and the ability to turn your screen onto standby when your system is idle make Secure My Screen one of the best screen lockers around.

Download & Installation

• the software may be downloaded from its homepage.

http://www.securemyscreen.co.uk/downloading.html

• The installer is only 3 Mb in size, not digitally signed and is free from malware. The current version 3.0.0.0 has the following hash.

SHA256: 3fa13d4ae98f4d41d822f8ead763347f00af9c24ad7b40ba869f4eea14962379
SHA1: 71cd5177762d6b2ed52726adcfe968500eb11584
MD5: 94e4566e2077b8f9f617bd71a03695d5

• Note: Few antimalware is detecting this software as malware but all are likely to be false positives. I had tested the software extensively & was actively linked to the development of version 3.0. So, I know that it is clean.
• Installation went on smoothly to the default location [e.g. C:Program Files (x86)Secure My Screen].
• Desktop icon is not created by default.
• Software is launched by default after installation.

Confirm that you have not paid for the software

After launching the software for the first time, you will have to confirm that you have not paid for the software. If you have paid for the software you will find options to report that and they will take proper actions to deal with the scam. The developer is keen to maintain this software as free & to stop scammers who will sell their free software.

After that please confirm that you’ve not been scammed and not paid for the software to continue further.

Next you will have to create an account by setting an username, first name, surname, password (twice) & security question. It has a number of preset security questions but you may also set yours. Make sure to remember the case of your User Name, First Name, Password & Security Answer because all are case-sensitive. Password must have six or more characters.

While creating an account, you will find that “Run at Startup” option is selected. This option is useful to lock your computer at startup & is recommended. You will get a prompt about this.

You will have to agree to a administrative prompt by agreeing to run Secure My ScreenLaunchSetter.exe after clicking next.

After that you will be presented with a screen for logging in with your details (username & password). You may set the application to remember your username. In case you have forgotten your details you may Forgotten Details link.

If you have forgotten your login details now or later, you will be asked for the details you’ve forgotten.

After successfully logging in, you will get to see the main screen.

From there you may check for updates, contact them via the application, lock, logout, close the application to tray. You will be able to get quick actions from tray icon.

You may also click on Edit Details and Settings on the Menu to open the Account Manager dialogue.

Note: The software requires internet access to synchronize your account that will be used later for password/username recovery.

Excellent application without doubt. They have thoroughly improved it in the current version. I had been active in the beta test and they have kindly mentioned that. I like the fact that the developers are committed to keep it free.

Nothing is perfect and there are still scopes of improvement in this application. All have been reported already.

Some tiny bugs:

Until the developer releases an official portable version, you may make your own. Copy the contents of theinstallation folder except unins000.dat & unins000.exe. and run the application by executing Secure My Screen!.exe any time.