VLOCK(1)VLOCK(1)NAMEvlock - Virtual Console lock program
SYNOPSISvlock
vlock [ -a,--all ] [ -c,--current ] [ -h,--help ] [ -v,--version ]
DESCRIPTIONvlock is a program to lock one or more sessions on the Linux console.
This is especially useful for Linux machines which have multiple users
with access to the console. One user may lock his or her session(s)
while still allowing other users to use the system on other virtual
consoles. If desired, the entire console may be locked and virtual
console switching disabled.
By default, only the current VC (virtual console) is locked. With the
-a,-all option all VCs are locked. The locked VCs cannot be unlocked
without the invoker's password. And, for the paranoid, vlock makes it
a trying experience for those attempting to guess the password, so
unauthorized access to session(s) is highly unlikely.
Please note that it is entirely possible to completely lock yourself
out of the console with the -a,--all option if you cannot remember your
password! Unless you are able to kill vlock by logging in remotely via
a serial terminal or network, a hard reset is the only method of
``unlocking'' the display.
vlock works for console sessions primarily. However, there is support
for trying to lock non-console sessions as well, but that support has
not been well tested.
OPTIONS-a,--all
Lock all console sessions and disable VC switching.
-c,--current
Lock the current session (this is the default).
-h,--help
Print a brief help message.
-v,--version
Print the version number of vlock.
AUTHOR
Michael K. Johnson <johnsonm@redhat.com>
Linux User's Manual 16 May 1996 VLOCK(1)
