Disk Image lost

[Just_Kevin]

I'm looking to add additional security to my financial files by way of requiring an additional password to open that folder. Research led me to believe a Disc Image was the way to go.

I created a new Disc Image via Disk Utility > File > New Image > Blank Image. It was created successfully. I created a new folder and deleted that folder. I then unmounted the Image via ForkLift. I saw it in the side bar of Disc Utility and remounted it. I then unmounted it via Disc Utility, and now it's gone. It's no longer in the side bar at all. Luckily, there was nothing in there, so I didn't lose anything.

First, obvious issue, is where did that Image go? Second issue, at no time did it ask for a password. I did encrypt the Image when I created it.

Is there a different/better way to go about this?

 

[SierraVista]

If your boot disk is FileVault encrypted (which it should be), then using an extra encrypted disk image is probably unnecessary unless other folks have admin accounts on your machine or know your account password.

You can search in Finder for “.dmg” and that should reveal the where the disk image is located on your boot disk. If you aren’t being prompted for a password, Disk Utility might have saved it in your keychain.

 

[Just_Kevin]

My goal is to stop someone from getting into that folder if they have temporary control of my laptop. For example, I let my niece or nephew use it to look at something while they are visiting. It's not something that happens often, but I'd still like that extra layer to stop prying eyes.

 

[Just_Kevin]

I did the search for .dmg in Finder and it located what I'd named the Image. Right-click > Open, it prompted for the password. Unmount via Finder. It disappeared from Finder and Disk Utility again. I was under the impression it should stay visible there, as an unmounted drive. I have an External HDD, which I unmounted and unplugged; that appears in Disk Utility still.

 

[SierraVista]

I did the search for .dmg in Finder and it located what I'd named the Image. Right-click > Open, it prompted for the password. Unmount via Finder. It disappeared from Finder and Disk Utility again. I was under the impression it should stay visible there, as an unmounted drive. I have an External HDD, which I unmounted and unplugged; that appears in Disk Utility still.

I don’t think unmounted disk images, as opposed to physical disks, will appear in Disk Utility after being ejected. For quick access you could (1) drag the DMG to the sidebar of the Finder or (2) right-click it and select “Make Alias” which you could then drag to your desktop, etc: https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/create-and-remove-aliases-on-mac-mchlp1046/mac

 

[Just_Kevin]

I figured that out as you were responding. I added the .dmg file to the side bar in Finder.

Thank you for the assistance!

 

[Just_Kevin]

I hadn't figured out the Alias part on my own. That makes it cleaner in the Finder side bar.