The Security Timeout
Ubuntu uses the GNOME Keyring to securely store your passwords, SSH keys, and application secrets. Normally, this keyring is unlocked automatically when you log in to your user account. However, for enhanced security, the keyring daemon can be configured to lock itself after a period of inactivity or when the screen locks. When you return to your PC and wake it from sleep, you enter your system password to unlock the screen, but then immediately get hit with a second prompt asking for your password to “Unlock the Login Keyring” before your Wi-Fi or email client can connect. This double-password entry is highly repetitive and annoying.
Extending the Timeout Period
To reduce the frequency of password prompts and stop Ubuntu from automatically locking the keyring during brief periods of inactivity, you can modify the keyring timeout settings.
You need to use a GUI tool to easily manage the keyring. Open your terminal and install the Seahorse utility by typing sudo apt install seahorse. Once installed, open your application launcher and search for Passwords and Keys (this is Seahorse). Open the application. In the left-hand sidebar, look under the “Passwords” section for your primary keyring (usually named “Login”). Right-click the “Login” keyring and select Change Password. If you want to completely disable the keyring lock forever (which is a massive security risk if someone steals your laptop), you can change the password to a blank field. A better alternative is to right-click the keyring, select Properties, and adjust the idle timeout settings so it only locks after an hour of inactivity, rather than immediately when the screen blanks.