Every time I strat my Ubuntu Desktop I used to plug in my USB device for data storage. While leaving the workplace I remove USB storage device but forgot to lock the desktop. Hence in the search of utility to lock / unlock desktop using USB device I found below script.
Firstly Install xscreensaver
apt-get install xscreensaver |
Then run lsusb and locate your USB Device. In my case, it was the last Device i.e Bus 004 Device 002: ID 058f:6387 Alcor Micro Corp. Transcend JetFlash Flash Drive
Bus 002 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001 Linux Foundation 1.1 root hub
Bus 003 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001 Linux Foundation 1.1 root hub
Bus 004 Device 002: ID 058f:6387 Alcor Micro Corp. Transcend JetFlash Flash Drive
Create a file name autoUnlock in your home directory (Avoid using root user).
touch /home/vidyadhar/autoUnlock |
Copy below lines in the /home/vidyadhar/autoUnlock
#!/bin/bash # A simple shell to lock / unlock your Desktop # Ubuntu # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- # Original Script by Echowrap http://echowarp.neomenlo.org # Modified by Vidyadhar D S <http://www.techienote.com/> # vidyadhards@gmail.com techienote.com@gmail.com # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- #Replace with the ID of your USB device id="ID 058f:6387 Alcor Micro Corp. Transcend JetFlash Flash Drive" #runs every 2 seconds for ((i=0; i<=30; i++)) do if [ -z "`lsusb | grep "$id"`" ] then echo "Device is NOT plugged in" if [ -n "`DISPLAY=:0.0 gnome-screensaver-command --query | grep "is active"`" ] then if [ -e /tmp/autoUnlock.lock ] then #stop locking the screen rm /tmp/autoUnlock.lock fi elif [ -e /tmp/autoUnlock.lock ] then DISPLAY=:0.0 notify-send -t 5000 รขicon=dialog-info "Device Disconnected""Bye!" #lock the desktop DISPLAY=:0.0 gnome-screensaver-command --lock rm /tmp/autoUnlock.lock fi else echo "USB Plugged In" if [ ! -e /tmp/autoUnlock.lock ] then DISPLAY=:0.0 gnome-screensaver-command --deactivate DISPLAY=:0.0 notify-send -t 5000 --icon=dialog-info "Device Connected" "Welcome Back!" touch /tmp/autoUnlock.lock #Uncomment the 3 following lines if you would like your computer to remind you if you lock your screen without disconnecting the device echo "Don't forget your device!" > /tmp/usbReminder DISPLAY=:0 festival --tts /tmp/usbReminder rm /tmp/usbReminder fi fi sleep 2 done |
Make it executable
chmod +x /home/vidyadhar/autoUnlock |
Add a cron entry in user’s crontab
crontab -u vidyadhar -e |
* * * * * bash /home/vidyadhar/autoUnlock & >/dev/null 2>&1 |
Restart the crontab
/etc/init.d/cron restart |
Now remove your USB device, your desktop should be get lock now.
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My name is Vidyadhar Sarmalkar & I work as a consultant and have done RHCE & CCNA. 
