Dev Tools · 1h ago
13-year-old builds Windows lock app that blocks Task Manager at OS level
A 13-year-old developer created ATLOCK, a Windows lock app that uses low-level keyboard hooks and a watchdog process to prevent bypass via Task Manager or Alt+Tab. The app kills task manager processes within 500ms and enforces focus to stay on top. It also locks files using NTFS ACLs, addressing a common weakness in application-layer lock apps.
Meridian48 take
The technical approach is clever, but the app's reliance on user-level hooks means it can still be circumvented by a determined attacker with admin access or a bootable USB.
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The technical reason every Windows lock app fails — and how I fixed it at 13. →
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