How to use the command 'blurlock' (with examples)

Blurlock is a straightforward utility designed to augment the user experience when locking the screen using the i3 screen locker, known as i3lock. What sets Blurlock apart is its ability to take a snapshot of the user’s current screen and apply a blur effect to it. This blurred image then serves as the background while the screen remains locked, ensuring a visually clean and aesthetically pleasing lock screen. The tool is particularly appreciated in environments where privacy and quick screen locking are necessary, delivering a solution that is both effective and visually appealing.

Use case 1: Lock the screen to a blurred screenshot of the current screen

Code:

blurlock

Motivation:

In today’s fast-paced world, privacy and security remain at the forefront of personal and professional computing. Locking your screen is a fundamental security measure, particularly in open or shared environments. The blurlock command takes the user’s existing screen and blurs it, creating a background that offers increased visual privacy without completely obscuring the screen’s context. This provides a dual benefit: maintaining the user’s interface context for a quick return to work, while ensuring sensitive information is not visible to bystanders.

Explanation:

• blurlock: This command invokes the blurlock tool, which captures a screenshot of the current screen display and applies a blur effect. By default, it then sets this blurred image as the background of the lock screen.

Example Output:

Upon execution, the user sees their screen blurred and locked. The expected visual effect is a representation of the on-display windows in a de-focused state, obscuring readable text and identifiable images.

Use case 2: Lock the screen and disable the unlock indicator (removes feedback on keypress)

Code:

blurlock --no-unlock-indicator

Motivation:

In situations where additional security is desired, especially in environments requiring heightened confidentiality, disabling the unlock indicator can be beneficial. The presence of an unlock indicator can often encourage unwanted attempts to guess a password, as it provides feedback to anyone trying to unlock the device. By disabling this indicator, you remove such visual feedback, adding an extra layer of security.

Explanation:

• --no-unlock-indicator: This flag tells blurlock to disable any visual indication given when keys are pressed on the lock screen. Without feedback, potential intruders are less likely to persist in unauthorized attempts, as they receive no confirmation or clues about what they’ve entered.

Example Output:

The screen remains locked, displaying the blurred background, but with no visual response to keypresses, enhancing security by not showing feedback or validation indicators.

Use case 3: Lock the screen and don’t hide the mouse pointer

Code:

blurlock --pointer default

Motivation:

There are scenarios where seeing the mouse pointer on a locked screen might be useful. For instance, if you have a multi-monitor setup and need to ensure that your screen configuration was set correctly, having the pointer visible confirms which monitor or section of a workspace is active and locked. This can be helpful if you’ve initiated blurlock but need to align or adjust external peripherals correctly before unlocking.

Explanation:

• --pointer default: This option ensures that the mouse pointer remains visible on the locked screen. It contrasts with the typical behavior where the pointer is hidden to create a cleaner locked interface.

Example Output:

The locked screen will appear with the usual blurred background, with the added visibility of the mouse cursor, aiding in tasks requiring visual confirmation of pointer location.

Use case 4: Lock the screen and show the number of failed login attempts

Code:

blurlock --show-failed-attempts

Motivation:

Displaying the number of failed login attempts can serve as both caution to the authorized user and a deterrent to unauthorized personnel. Users may want to be aware of any failed password attempts to recognize potential security breaches or log unauthorized access attempts. This feature becomes particularly useful in environments where multiple users have access to the same terminal or workspace.

Explanation:

• --show-failed-attempts: This flag triggers the display of any unsuccessful password entry attempts on the lock screen. It provides instant feedback to legitimate users about unsuccessful access efforts, aiding in security awareness.

Example Output:

If incorrect passwords are entered, a count of these failed attempts is visibly displayed on the lock screen. This informs the user about security status and recent interactions with their device when they attempt to log back in.

Conclusion:

Blurlock proves to be a versatile screen-locking command tailored for secure and visually appealing user interaction on Linux systems, especially within i3wm environments. By adding options like blurring the background, manipulating unlock indicators, and displaying login attempts, it provides users with better control over their security experience. Whether for aesthetics, enhanced privacy, or increased awareness of unauthorized access attempts, each of its functionalities caters to specific user needs and preferences.