Password protect a folder

[bowbow88]

I am just wandering to see if there is a way to password protect a specific folder?

 

[miles01110]

http://www.google.com/search?q=encr...s=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a

http://www.google.com/cse?cx=011016...e:forums.macrumors.com&hl=en&as_qdr=all&meta=

 

[MacDawg]

How to make an encrypted disk

It is the best way

You can use TrueCrypt, but I recommend the encrypted disk with Disk Utility

 

[John Doe 57]

Works like a friggen charm and has been for years!
http://mac.softpedia.com/get/Security/LameSecure.shtml

 

[sh0vel]

You can also try Espionage 2
http://www.taoeffect.com/espionage/

 

[MacDawg]

Works like a friggen charm and has been for years!
http://mac.softpedia.com/get/Security/LameSecure.shtml

Taken directly from the site
Hardly instills confidence

This program in essence provides no real security; it just does a good job of pretending too. Why use it? Its fast, it's easy, and it takes a fairly advanced and determined user to break through it.

LameSecure will allow you to masquerade one file as another, therefore to provide navigational deception.

You can also try Espionage 2
http://www.taoeffect.com/espionage/

This one is $29.95

At least TrueCrypt is a free alternative

An encrypted disk with Disk Utility is free, secure and does the job with no mess or fuss or need for 3rd party software
You can even change the icon to make it look like a file instead of an encrypted disk

 

[John Doe 57]

Taken directly from the site
Hardly instills confidence

Not even going to give it a try? I've been using it for 3+ years now and have never run into a problem. I read a comment of someone not being able to revert the file/folder back to normal - there is a revert button. Its a simple, free app. thats gets the job done.

 

[MacDawg]

Not even going to give it a try? I've been using it for 3+ years now and have never run into a problem. I read a comment of someone not being able to revert the file/folder back to normal - there is a revert button. Its a simple, free app. thats gets the job done.

I prefer encryption to deception when it comes to my sensitive data

If you are just hiding porn from prying eyes, it is probably acceptable, but if you want real protection for your data, you will need encryption

Why do I want 3rd party software for something Disk Utility does seamlessly and natively?
And with real encryption, not deception

 

[dukebound85]

with the disc image, can you make it a dynamic file size? If I recall, you can't and must live with whatever image size you first set it as correct?

 

[miles01110]

with the disc image, can you make it a dynamic file size? If I recall, you can't and must live with whatever image size you first set it as correct?

Right. You make a new disc image if you need more room.

 

[MacDawg]

with the disc image, can you make it a dynamic file size? If I recall, you can't and must live with whatever image size you first set it as correct?

You can create a sparse image

Unlike a full image file (.dmg), which takes up as much actual space as the real disk it represents (regardless of the amount of unused space), a sparse image file (.sparseimage) takes up only as much actual disk space as the data contained within.

Or a sparse bundle image

Mac OS X v10.5 (Leopard) introduced the concept of Sparse Bundles. Instead of a monolithic file, a Sparse Bundle is a bundle (directory) that stores the disk image as banded data files in 8M chunks. When you add, modify or remove files in the bundle image, one or more of the band files will change, depending on where your data is stored. This allows backup software (such as Time Machine) to operate more efficiently.

 

[miles01110]

I don't think spare images nor sparse bundle images actually solve the problem of dynamic space; it takes up x% of the space up to 100%, then you have to create another image with more allotted space.

 

[MacDawg]

I don't think spare images nor sparse bundle images actually solve the problem of dynamic space; it takes up x% of the space up to 100%, then you have to create another image with more allotted space.

That is correct, but you can create them with ample room to grow without using the space all at once

I have never outgrown one, but if I did, I would create a new one

 

[dukebound85]

That is correct, but you can create them with ample room to grow without using the space all at once

I have never outgrown one, but if I did, I would create a new one

So even with a sparse, you have to set a predetermined size correct? The advantage is when you want to say backup, it will only require the amt that is there, not the whole image size right?

If you need more, you can just create a new image and copy the stuff over and call it good?

Is there any way to change the size of an image on the fly?

Any reason why not to ALWAYS use a sparse image?

I noticed that while a password is needed to open, one is not needed to delete. Is there a work around for this?

 

[MacDawg]

So even with a sparse, you have to set a predetermined size correct? The advantage is when you want to say backup, it will only require the amt that is there, not the whole image size right?

correct

If you need more, you can just create a new image and copy the stuff over and call it good?

correct

Is there any way to change the size of an image on the fly?

not that I am aware

Any reason why not to ALWAYS use a sparse image?

not that I am aware

 

[John Doe 57]

I prefer encryption to deception when it comes to my sensitive data

If you are just hiding porn from prying eyes, it is probably acceptable, but if you want real protection for your data, you will need encryption

Why do I want 3rd party software for something Disk Utility does seamlessly and natively?
And with real encryption, not deception

Good point.