The Logoff Screensaver Overview

A Network Utility to Log Users Off On Inactivity

The Logoff Screensaver is a Windows network friendly replacement for Microsoft’s WinExit Screensaver. The screensaver can also tell the computer to auto shutdown after it has been idle. The Logoff Screensaver can be set to force a logoff or shutdown the computer on inactivity only during certain times of the day on specific days of the week. Please refer to the configuration page for more details

One of the biggest problems a network administrator faces is security. Thousands of dollars and hundreds of hours can be spent on protecting networks from external attacks only to have users leave their computers logged in while they are away from their desks for extended periods of time or even overnight. Leaving unattended workstations logged in poses a major security risk for many organizations. Unattended computers are the easiest method for hackers to assault a network. The solution is to force a logoff on inactivity or shutdown the computer on inactivity. The Logoff Screensaver solves the problem.

Microsoft’s WinExit Screensaver (winexit.scr) also addressed this problem. However, in order for non-administrative users to be able to use WinExit, you must add Set Value and Create Sub key permissions for the group "Everyone" on the registry key: “HKEY_Local_Machine\Software\Microsoft\WindowsNT\CurrentVersion” on every computer on the network. This can be a headache for a network administrator.

The Logoff Screensaver was created to eliminate the need to modify the registry on all of the computers on the network. The Logoff Screensaver uses a centrally located INI file for its configuration so altering the registry on every computer is not required. The Logoff Screensaver uses the settings for the screensaver timeout to determine how long the computer has been idle or inactive. It only reads the registry entry "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\ Control Panel\Desktop\ ScreenSaveTimeOut" so the computer users do not required administrative rights. The registry entry for the screensaver timeout can can be configured using group policies, please see the Client-Server Installation section for more details.

The Logoff Screensaver works with Windows 98 Se, Windows Me, Windows 2000 Professional, Windows XP Professional, and Windows Vista.

Key Features:

• Ability to force a logoff or shutdown if programs are open.
• Ability to turn on and off an audible warning.
• Ability to set the time the warning screen is displayed before a logoff. ¹
• Ability to enter your own text for the logoff message. ¹
• Ability to set times when the screensaver is inactive. ¹
• Ability to shut down the computer due to inactivity. ¹

¹ These features are only available in the registered version.