How to pass it on, well, it goes something like this…

  • NOTE: I neither recommend nor endorse any of the following tactics. There are things I’ve comes across in my vast professional experience that I have done…I mean, seen other people do.

Round #1 (most good natured, tolerant co-works get the humor of this, if you don’t work with anyone like that, don’t do this):

  1. Someone, let’s call him Bob, walks away from his computer leaving it unlocked.
  2. An inspired co-worker or friend of Bob walks up to his computer and does something subtle, one of any number of things like:
    • Changes their Internet browser’s homepage to www.lockyourpc.com.
    • Sends and e-mail to another friend or girlfriend, just saying “hi”.
    • Maybe just browse out to a site the Bob may normally go to, pick anything from him favorites.
    • NOTE: No matter what the co-worker/friend does, they lock Bob’s PC when they leave.
  3. Bob returns, everything appears normal, but maybe a little confused when they open their browser, receives a reply e-mail, or doesn’t think much of the web site Bob does remember checking out.

Round #2 (most good natured, tolerant teams get the humor of this, if you don’t work in the kind of team, don’t do this and maybe look for another team):

  1. Bob leaves his computer unlocked again.
  2. Previously mention co-worker returns, this time a less subtle, doing one or more of any number of things:
    • Opens www.lockyourpc.com, sets it as Bob’s home page and leaves it open on the screen.
    • Sends and e-mail to Bob’s co-workers with a subject line of something like, "Look at me, I’m Sandra Dee".
    • I’m sure said co-worker could think of any number of other, non-malicious "hints" that could get the point across without causing actual reputational damage other than friendly jabbing.
    • NOTE: Again, locking Bob’s PC when they're done.
  3. Bob returns, usually to find replies to said e-mail and of course his home page changed, again. We hope the Bob is getting the point by now...

Round #3 (most good natured, tolerant bosses get the humor of this, if you don’t work for that kind of boss, then don’t do this and maybe look for another job):

  1. Bob, leaves his computer, again, unlocked (Ok, at this point Bob maybe a little slow, just an opinion, but…)
  2. Now the co-worker usually gets a few cohorts, the group think will begin, and they feel it’s a good idea to e-mail the boss. This e-mail usually takes the form of one or more of the following: , or :
    • A complete suck-up job (i.e., you’re the greatest boss every)
    • A love letter (i.e., I love the way you bat your eyelashes when you drink you coffee in the morning)
    • An "I’m out of here" letter (i.e., I don’t like how your shoes match your belt today, I quit)
    • NOTE: Again, changing his home page and locking Bob’s PC when they're done.
  3. Bob returns, again annoyed to find LockyourPC.com open in their browser, and usually surprised to find some sort of reply from the boss. Depending on how good natured the boss is, it just maybe a fictitious appointment scheduled with HR.

So, don't be a Bob...

  • Lock Your PC! (people are watching)