how can i password protect a single folder? so that if clicked, you would have to enter a password to sell the text documents inside? i dont want my wife seeing our tax returns i just filed because im planning a big surprise for her, haha.
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
password protect a single folder
- Thread starter bw1128
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
GGJstudios
macrumors Westmere
How to password-protect files/folders/apps
To protect items with a password, you can use the Disk Utility app to create an encrypted disk image.
(Disk Utility is in your /Applications/Utilities folder.)
To protect items with a password, you can use the Disk Utility app to create an encrypted disk image.
(Disk Utility is in your /Applications/Utilities folder.)
To open and use your disk image, follow the steps in the image below
Your sparseimage can be transfered anywhere you choose and the password will still be required to open it. If you forget the password, you won't be able to open the file.
How to create a password-protected (encrypted) disk image in Mac OS X 10.3 or later
To protect items with a password, you can use the Disk Utility app to create an encrypted disk image.
(Disk Utility is in your /Applications/Utilities folder.)
To protect items with a password, you can use the Disk Utility app to create an encrypted disk image.
(Disk Utility is in your /Applications/Utilities folder.)
- Launch Disk Utility (see image below)
- Click "New Image" on the toolbar, as indicated below
- Make your selections, as illustrated below
- Click "Create"
- Choose a password and enter it twice to verify
- If you want the password to be required each time you open the disk image, uncheck "Remember password in my keychain"
- Click "OK" and your sparseimage file will be created in the folder you selected.
How to create a password-protected (encrypted) disk image in Mac OS X 10.3 or later
Last edited:
miles01110
macrumors Core
Check out GoSecure. It is easier and quicker than creating an encrypted disk image. The program costs $20.
http://www.gogoalsoft.com/goSecure.php
http://www.gogoalsoft.com/goSecure.php
Using Disk Utility to encrypt files requires too many steps. I cannot comment about SecureFiles because I haven't used it...
GoSecure steps to encrypt a file or folder:
1. Drop the file/folder onto the GoSecure icon in a dock, on the desktop, etc.
2. Enter the password twice.
3. Click OK.
You can choose to automatically securely-delete the original or not. GoSecure offers 128-bit an 256-bit AES encryption. You can also have encrypted files placed in a default location such as the Desktop.
The ease of using GoSecure is worth $20 to me.
GoSecure steps to encrypt a file or folder:
1. Drop the file/folder onto the GoSecure icon in a dock, on the desktop, etc.
2. Enter the password twice.
3. Click OK.
You can choose to automatically securely-delete the original or not. GoSecure offers 128-bit an 256-bit AES encryption. You can also have encrypted files placed in a default location such as the Desktop.
The ease of using GoSecure is worth $20 to me.
For much less than that, the OP can use a USB flash drive.
Copy the tax return files to the USB drive, then delete from the builtin disk. Eject the USB drive, unplug, and hide somewhere his wife won't look.
For safety, make two copies on two separate USB drives. In case the dog finds one and thinks it's a chew-toy.
Yes, he can do that. But he asked about encryption options, not a way to hide the file. If he decides to hide the file instead, I would recommend saving it on at least two drives since USB flash drives are not fool-proof data storage devices.
I think that many people have sensitive data on their computers that is at risk via theft, etc. so in the long-run it is a good idea to select an encryption strategy and implement on a regular basis to protect that data.