How to disable the keychain? (temporarily)

[robeckles]

Hello! I know my question is simple, but I'm a "newbie", so be nice. haha

Simple background: I own a Macbook Pro that runs Snow Leopard (Version 10.6.8). Everything runs fine, I'm just in need of a little "how-to."

Basically, I use the keychain feature heavily (especially the "login" keychain), so whenever friends or family use my computer I get a little nervous knowing they have access to all of my passwords -- especially since I have them set to autofill for literally everything (which is how I like it for myself).

I'm aware that keychains are lockable, so I lock the "login" keychain whenever I let someone borrow my computer. But as soon as a website requiring login is visited, they always get a pop-up message reading, "[Insert Web Browser] wants to use the "login" keychain," and asking for the password to UNLOCK the keychain again. This message won't go away until I enter the password, defeating the purpose of locking the keychain in the first place. How do I fix that?

I know that there are alternative solutions to the problem of privacy while lending out your computer, like a Guest account, but I don't feel that's necessary when my laptop is being borrowed for 5 minutes at a time.


P.S. I'm in high school with teenaged friends, so this is a legitimate concern. Wouldn't want any monkey business on Facebook... LOL

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

SUMMARY (skip the spiel above if you must )

How do I get rid of the "[Insert Web Browser] wants to use the "login" keychain" message while keeping the login keychain LOCKED?

 

[0dev]

Make them use a different browser which doesn't have your passwords stored in the Keychain, or just turn on fast user switching and log them into Guest quickly. Both of those are easier than disabling the Keychain.

Or - and this is what I do - tell them not to even breath on your precious Mac

 

[GGJstudios]

Basically, I use the keychain feature heavily (especially the "login" keychain), so whenever friends or family use my computer I get a little nervous

Set up a guest account for others to use, and they won't have access to your keychain or your files.

 

[Mattie Num Nums]

Set up a guest account for others to use, and they won't have access to your keychain or your files.

Setting up a guest account is the best way to do this. If you are worried about them screwing up the computer you can create a guest account with Parental Controls and control exactly what they can use, sort of like a kiosk mode.

 

[robeckles]

Make them use a different browser which doesn't have your passwords stored in the Keychain, or just turn on fast user switching and log them into Guest quickly. Both of those are easier than disabling the Keychain.

Or - and this is what I do - tell them not to even breath on your precious Mac

Wow, that was quick! haha Thanks for the response.

Okay, the fast user switching sounds promising. But the keychain saves passwords according to domain name, not browser, so I don't think using a different browser will solve the problem.

The one thing about the Guest account I don't like is that it's an entirely separate account with it's own home folder, etc. I'm not crazy about managing/storing that extra shtuff on my computer when it's barely ever used.

 

[GGJstudios]

The one thing about the Guest account I don't like is that it's an entirely separate account with it's own home folder, etc. I'm not crazy about managing/storing that extra shtuff on my computer when it's barely ever used.

Unless the guest user is creating and saving large files, it's not going to take up much space, and there's nothing to manage. Besides, you can always delete a user account and its files, and create another one when you need it.

 

[robeckles]

Unless the guest user is creating and saving large files, it's not going to take up much space, and there's nothing to manage. Besides, you can always delete a user account and its files, and create another one when you need it.

Okay, you're right. I'll just open a Guest account as long as it's not a hassle. However, it would still be nice to just click the lock icon in my menu bar and have everything secured.

 

[GGJstudios]

Okay, you're right. I'll just open a Guest account as long as it's not a hassle. However, it would still be nice to just click the lock icon in my menu bar and have everything secured.

With fast user switching, you can click your user name on the Menu Bar and select "Login Window" and your Mac is locked, requiring a password to open your account or any other you choose.

 

[0dev]

When you log the Guest account out, everything is deleted anyway. No wasted space to worry about.

----------

With fast user switching, you can click your user name on the Menu Bar and select "Login Window" and your Mac is locked, requiring a password to open your account or any other you choose.

You can also go into the "Expose and Spaces" section of your System Preferences and set it so putting your mouse on a certain corner of the screen puts the computer to sleep, so if you make it so you need a password to turn off sleep mode, that will secure your computer quickly and easily. I've had mine set up like this from day one.

 

[robeckles]

When you log the Guest account out, everything is deleted anyway. No wasted space to worry about.

Oh, alright then. This and the fast user switching together are the alternative I was looking for. Thanks!

 

[GGJstudios]

You can also go into the "Expose and Spaces" section of your System Preferences and set it so putting your mouse on a certain corner of the screen puts the computer to sleep, so if you make it so you need a password to turn off sleep mode, that will secure your computer quickly and easily. I've had mine set up like this from day one.

Yep. I use a Hot Corner to enable the screensaver, which is just a black screen, requiring a password to open. That way I can leave apps running and still lock the computer with a mouse move or trackpad swipe.