Disk Image Password Protected Folder

[Robert J]

Hi,

I created a password protected folder in Snow Leopard. I created a new blank disk image with 128-bit encryption. Now I can mount the image, enter my password and: Access to secret files!

Question: I selected the disk image and deleted it. A password was not necessary...is this true? Can anyone just delete the disk image without entering a password?

THANKS!
Robert

 

[iVoid]

Yes, if the disk image file isn't mounted, it's just another file to the OS. It can be deleted.

 

[Robert J]

Wow. That completely negates the usefulness of this function. What is the best way to protect files? I am willing to spend $.

Thanks!
RJ

 

[angelwatt]

Wow. That completely negates the usefulness of this function. What is the best way to protect files? I am willing to spend $.

It's purpose is to keep people from accessing the files inside, which it did. It doesn't protect from deletion, that's what backups are for. For some level of protection to can change the permissions on the file to make it harder to delete, but nothing will be a sure bet, it's simply impossible. Backups are key.

 

[iVoid]

Well, if you just want to avoid a file being deleted, get info on the file and check the checkbox.

You can do that for a disk images as well (of course, you can't write to the image when it's locked).


Encrypted disk images are for keeping people from seeing what is in the files, not to avoid deletion.

If the disk image doesn't change often, your best bet is to check the 'locked' checkbox and remove read/write rights from other users than the user you use to access it yourself. But even then, someone with physical access to the disk and the knowhow can still delete the sparse image if they try hard enough.

Burning it to a DVD-R would set it in stone. But they could still break the disc into tiny peices.

 

[Denarius]

Wow. That completely negates the usefulness of this function. What is the best way to protect files? I am willing to spend $.

Thanks!
RJ

Just change the permissions on the disk image so that only you can do anything to it.