How to Automatically End Current Session in Parrot Security 6.0 (Lorikeet)

Automatically End Current Session with Parrot Security 6.0 (Lorikeet)

Parrot Security 6.0, also known as Lorikeet, is a Debian-based distribution designed for ethical hackers, penetration testers, security researchers, and privacy advocates. One of its features is the ability to automatically end the current session after a certain period of inactivity. This article will guide you on how to enable and configure this feature, as well as provide some context around its importance.

Why Automatically End a Session?

Ending a session automatically after a period of inactivity is crucial for maintaining security, especially for systems used by multiple users. This measure helps prevent unauthorized access and reduces the risk of sensitive data exposure in the following scenarios:

• An attacker gaining physical access to an unlocked workstation
• A user forgetting to lock their screen before leaving their computer
• Sessions left unattended during system maintenance or software updates

Enabling Auto-End Session Feature in Parrot Security 6.0 (Lorikeet)

You can enable the auto-end session feature by configuring the /etc/security/getty.conf file. Follow these steps:

1. Open the terminal
2. Edit the /etc/security/getty.conf file using a text editor like nano

sudo nano /etc/security/getty.conf

3. Add the following lines at the end of the file

DEFAULT:\
 :idle=300:\
 :timeout=300:\
 :utmpkeep=60:\
 :repeat=yes

The idle parameter specifies the time in seconds before the system prompts for a password. The timeout parameter sets the time to wait for a user to enter a password. The utmpkeep parameter dictates how long the user's entry is kept in the utmp file. Set these values according to your preferences.

Testing Auto-End Session Feature

After configuring the settings, test the auto-end session feature by doing the following:

1. Log in to your system
2. Do not interact with the system for the duration defined by the idle parameter
3. The system will prompt for a password. If no password is entered within the time set by the timeout parameter, the session will be automatically ended

Additional Resources