Kiosk mode and security

A self-service booth is exposed to hundreds of curious hands. The Settings › Kiosk section turns the computer into a dedicated device that can't be exited.

The simplest approach: apply the Kiosk quick setup (see General settings), then adjust the settings below.

Security and locking

• Booth lock with a PIN or a Pattern: see Locking with a PIN or pattern.
• Full screen when locked: the lock screen takes up the whole screen. Also turns on automatic startup: after a power cut, sleep or session login, BoothX comes back locked in full screen.
• Theme choice on the lock screen and Logo on the lock screen: hiding them is reserved for the Pro and Ultra plans.
• Owner's phone: emergency contact shown to the public on the lock screen, with a QR code to call.
• “Before you start” popup: reminds you of the exit gesture before each event launch.
• Event unlock gesture: the gesture that opens the unlock page during an event.

System isolation

Block system shortcuts

Alt+Tab, the Windows key, Alt+F4 and equivalent shortcuts are blocked while locked and during events. A guest therefore can't switch to another application or close BoothX from the keyboard.

Ctrl+Alt+Del is reserved for the system and can't be blocked: it's a Windows protection. If the booth has a keyboard accessible to the public, put it away or use a virtual keyboard.

Ghost cursor

The mouse pointer disappears after a few seconds without movement (adjustable, or Never). On a touch booth, the cursor no longer sits in the middle of the welcome screen.

Block unknown USB drives

While locked and during events, any unauthorized USB drive is blocked: nobody can copy the photos or bring in a file.

To authorize your own drives:

1. plug them in;
2. click Authorize connected drives;
3. BoothX confirms the number of authorized drives, which appear under Authorized drives.

This feature is available on Windows.

What kiosk mode doesn't do

• It doesn't replace physical security: an accessible computer can be unplugged or restarted. Lock it inside the booth, cables included.
• It doesn't protect a Windows administrator account left open without a password outside BoothX. Use a session dedicated to the booth.
• It doesn't encrypt the disk: turn on BitLocker (Windows) or FileVault (macOS) if the booth holds sensitive data (a contest, for example).

Prepare a dedicated computer

For a truly robust self-service booth:

1. create a user session dedicated to the booth;
2. turn on Automatic startup and Full screen when locked;
3. turn off system notifications and automatic updates during event hours;
4. turn on Keep the screen and computer on and Auto-recovery (see Power, sleep and auto-recovery);
5. run a test: cut the power, turn it back on, and check that BoothX comes back locked in full screen.

During an event

Combined with locking during the event and, with two screens, the All screens setting (see Use multiple screens), kiosk mode ensures that a guest only ever sees the event screens, from start to finish.