Bluetooth LE-based hardware token key fob or smartphone app to access your computer. Auto-lock computers when the user walks away for enhanced security. Unlock computers automatically or with faster 2FA/MFA using a PIN and the proximity of the GateKeeper token. The Igloohome Smart Padlock and the Tapplock one+ are Bluetooth-connected padlocks, for instance. They're built to be as tough as any standard lock, but use Bluetooth to unlock with the tap of a. TL;DR: Bluetooth is arguably one of the more accurate technologies in terms of proximity identification, in this instance, proximity to other phones using a specified app. Arguably, it is also the least intrusive form of tracking given that it is based on proximity to other phones using the app rather than actual location e.g. GPS or cell tower. An iBeacon is a device that emits a Bluetooth signal that can be detected by your devices. Companies can deploy iBeacon devices in environments where proximity detection is a benefit to users, and apps can use the proximity of beacons to determine an appropriate course of action.
Have you ever wished you could just walk away from your Mac and have it lock itself without you doing anything? Or perhaps sometimes you leave your desk and completely forget to lock your Mac? This can be a very delicate situation, since we all have an enormous quantity of sensitive information in our Macs and it can be downright fatal to lose them.
Well, here is a nifty trick that will allow you to use your iPhone’s Bluetooth signal to lock your Mac when you walk away and to wake it up when you return.
Important Note: This process only works for Macs running a version of Mountain LionFollow the steps below.
Step 1: Download Proximity, a Mac application that runs scripts upon detection of Bluetooth devices. You can get it from this link. Then, download two Apple scripts that I created for this app. Use this link (UPDATE: This file is not available anymore) to get them in one zip file. Once you do, unzip the scripts and save them anywhere on your Mac, just remember where.
Step 2: On your Mac, open the Proximity app that you just downloaded and it will install an icon in your menu bar. Click on its icon then click on Preferences.
Step 3: Make sure to at least check the Enable device monitoring option and then choose the interval at which you would like your Mac to scan and verify that your iPhone’s Bluetooth is in range (anything between 5 – 10 seconds works for me).
Step 4: Enable Bluetooth on your iPhone. To do so, on your iPhone go to Settings > Bluetooth and turn it ON. Don’t forget to pair your iPhone to your Mac if you haven’t done so in the past.
Step 5: Add the Apple scripts you downloaded to the Proximity app. On its Preference Pane under AppleScripts click on the Change button beside Out of Range Script. Find the script named Lock Mac from where you placed it and choose it. Do the same for the In Range Script, only this time choose the Unlock Mac script instead.
This is how it looks after I added the scripts.
Step 6: On the same Proximity’s Preference Pane, click on the Check Connectivity button until your iPhone’s Bluetooth is detected.
Note: If your iPhone is not detected, click on Change Device and select it from the list of available devicesStep 7: Close the Preferences Pane and take your iPhone out of range. Your Mac will lock itself and will wake up the moment you (with your iPhone) come back in range.
That’s it! This is really a pretty nice trick. You can also enable it by simply turning your iPhone’s Bluetooth ON and OFF manually and even have fun playing tricks on your friends, who will not know what is turning your Mac on and off.
The Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) oversees and manages the development of Bluetooth standards.
Bluetooth Lock for OS X is a companion app for iOS version of Bluetooth Lock
Lock your Mac by just walking away! Unlock your Mac by just approaching it – without even touching your iOS device! When you walk away from your Mac, it will be automatically locked. Once you approach your workplace, Bluetooth Lock unlocks your Mac. It is the latest and most convenient way to protect your computer from unauthorized access.
Enable “Lock when signal strength is….” in Bluetooth Lock for OS X and your Mac will be automatically locked when your iOS device moves away from it. You can even be notified when your Mac is locked.
Enable “Unlock when signal strength is….” in Bluetooth Lock for OS X and your Mac will wake up when your iOS device is close. Enable “Lock when signal strength is….” in Bluetooth Lock for OS X and your Mac will be automatically locked when your iOS device moves away from it. You can even be notified when your Mac is locked.
Macs that support Bluetooth 4.0 Low Energy:
Check if your Mac supports Bluetooth Low Energy by clicking the Apple menu > About This Mac > System Report > Bluetooth.
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