Password protecting files/folders

[mfacey]

Couldn't find anything searching for this, so here goes!

Is there a way to password protect files (such as .txt or .doc) and/or particular folders?
If not, any suggestions how to keep my important and very secret files safe on my mac?

EDIT: I'm using OSX.3.5 by the way


Thanks!

 

[iLikeMyiMac]

I just create a password protected dmg.
To do this open up Disk Utility and click on the New Image Button in the top left next to the burn icon. For the encription choose AES-128.

Make sure the box to remember the password is unchecked.

 

[iMeowbot]

That's basically what happens when you log in and out, all your files are password protected. If you need more protection than that, you can enable FileVault in your login settings, which encrypts it all.

I kind of suspect that the real reason there are 40 GB iPods is so that people can keep their porn collections safely off the computer. . .

 

[stoid]

You could also try this.

Just make sure you name any disk image you make "thereisnoporninhere.dmg" to alleviate any suspicion or confusion that people might have.

 

[mfacey]

What about filevault

Will filevault allow me to do essentially the same thing? Or is that not what I'm looking for?


The .dmg solution worked great btw. Thanks!

 

[stoid]

FileVault is a new feature of 10.3 that encrypts your entire home folder, so that you have to enter your password to use them if you are not logged in. It encrypts and decrypts on the fly in the background when you are using your machine, so it won't slow you down at all.

 

[iMeowbot]

Yes, FileVault basically is just an encrypted dmg that is automatically mounted when you log in.

 

[baby duck monge]

you could also try looking for a program called cypher on versiontracker.com