5.13 Create a custom message for the Login Screen

Information

An access warning informs the user that the system is reserved for authorized use only, and that the use of the system may be monitored.

Rationale:

An access warning may reduce a casual attacker's tendency to target the system. Access warnings may also aid in the prosecution of an attacker by evincing the attacker's knowledge of the system's private status, acceptable use policy, and authorization requirements.

Impact:

If users are not informed of their responsibilities there may be unapproved activity. Users that are not approved for access may take the lack of a warning banner as implied consent to access.

Solution

Run the following command to enable a custom login screen message:

$ sudo defaults write /Library/Preferences/com.apple.loginwindow LoginwindowText '<custom.message>'

example:

$ sudo defaults write /Library/Preferences/com.apple.loginwindow LoginwindowText 'Center for Internet Security Test Message'

See Also

https://workbench.cisecurity.org/files/3013

Item Details

Category: ACCESS CONTROL

References: 800-53|AC-8a.

Plugin: Unix

Control ID: 2bdfbaec72226206c455b76b28f09d86462b3fcc71dd2be4b7cfe23e0e6f30d3