[kmanley1]

I repeatedly lock (clicking on lock icon in system prefs) items such as network settings. After restart or shutdown items are once again unlocked. Is this a feature (sic) or bug? An Apple tech told me he thought that was how it works. Doh!

[Art Vandelay]

The lock signifies your authenticated status to change the settings. Don't think of them as the same as the file locks in Get Info. Their purpose is really to provide a means for a non-administrative user to authenticate (using an admin account) and unlock the prefpane to change the settings. As an administrator, you don't have to unlock them.