Xscreensaver

Xscreensaver
Desktop environments come with screensaver software which can be used to lock the screen when away from your machine. GNOME binds Alt-Ctrl-l to lock the screen. Awesome does not come with any screensaver or screen locking software. You can use use xscreensaver for this purpose.

sudo aptitude install xscreensaver
 * To install xscreensaver on Debian:

xscreensaver -nosplash &
 * Add the following to your .xinitrc to launch xscreensaver when starting X:

awful.key({ modkey, "Control" }, "l", function awful.util.spawn("xscreensaver-command -lock") end),
 * Set up a key binding( I use Alt-Ctrl-l ) in rc.lua:


 * Restart awesome.

xautolock with xlockmore
An alternative to xscreensaver is a combo of the Debian packages xautolock and xlockmore.

What I love about xautolock is, that you can either disable or quickstart the screen lock by placing the mouse in one specific corner of the screen. - See the manpager of both packages.

autolock with slock
Simple, just lock your screen (goes black), until you write your password.