keep private files secure on a MBP

[Junk DNA]

I have a group of docs on my MBP that contain private stuff - bank a/c details etc...

Now I keep those files in an encrypted sparse disk image and I'm reasonably confident that if my MBP is stolen they won't be able to access that disk image.

But this just occurred to me: when I open those files in Pages is there a temp copy of the file save somewhere outside of the sparse disk image that could be found ???

I really don't want to use file vault to encrypt the whole disk but I do want to be sure those private files won't get accessed.

 

[Peace]

I'd recommend using an app called Cocktail. It will clean out any of the stuff you're worried about.

 

[Junk DNA]

I'd recommend using an app called Cocktail. It will clean out any of the stuff you're worried about.

Yes, I can see the sense in that - but then I would have to run it after every time I access my private files....

 

[Peace]

Yes, I can see the sense in that - but then I would have to run it after every time I access my private files....

Why ? Are you concerned you MPB would be stolen while you use it ?

 

[Junk DNA]

Why ? Are you concerned you MPB would be stolen while you use it ?

I tend to access these files once a day - so presumably if they are leaving temp copies outside the sparse file then they are doing that whenever I open them.

So, if I run Cocktail now and clean the files away, but then tomorrow morning I open the files I'd be back to square one

 

[Jethryn Freyman]

I don't think Cocktail securely erases the files, so it'd be easy to recover them.

Filevault is OK, most programs store temporary files in your home folder. Some don't though, and there are temporary files and logs hidden in the computers UNIX directories. Your RAM sleep image is stored unencrypted. If you really need security, whole disk encryption is best.

 

[Junk DNA]

I don't think Cocktail securely erases the files, so it'd be easy to recover them.

Filevault is OK, most programs store temporary files in your home folder. Some don't though, and there are temporary files and logs hidden in the computers UNIX directories. Your RAM sleep image is stored unencrypted. If you really need security, whole disk encryption is best.

hmm... maybe I should give filevault a try....

 

[jc1350]

Filevault is not whole disk encryption - it's only home directory encryption. You need third-party software like PGP's Whole Disk Encryption or CheckPoint if you want WDE.

I use PGP and have no problems with it.

 

[Jethryn Freyman]

Filevault is not whole disk encryption - it's only home directory encryption. You need third-party software like PGP's Whole Disk Encryption or CheckPoint if you want WDE.

I use PGP and have no problems with it.

PGP is the best for whole disk encryption at the moment. Won't work if you have a Windows partition, though.

Shame Truecrypt can't do system partitions on OS X at the moment.

 

[KingYaba]

Apart from using an encrypted disc image, I use a rar application and simply apply a password.

http://www.macupdate.com/info.php/id/28008/rarify

 

[Jethryn Freyman]

Apart from using an encrypted disc image, I use a rar application and simply apply a password.

http://www.macupdate.com/info.php/id/28008/rarify

A lot of compression programs use weak encryption algorithms, not sure about Rarify.

 

[KingYaba]

A lot of compression programs use weak encryption algorithms, not sure about Rarify.

You're probably right. I'm not using it (rar) to store any sensitive info I just need it to neatly contain some stuff.

OP: http://www.truecrypt.org/

 

[applesuper]

Nyone try espionage?