Password Protection for Individual Folders

[Mundy]

The title says it all. I have a client with sensitive data on his system. He needs to be able to password protect individual folders (as opposed to system-wide encryption using FileVault, which he does not want to do).

Is there a way to do this?

Thanks.

 

[smueboy]

Short answer is no (as far as i am aware).

Simplest way to do it is to compress or make an image of the folder and password the .dmg or .sitx or whatever file.

Password protecting folders would be nice, i agree.

 

[Fearless Leader]

not only simplest but the only way. I create a couple dvd sized images that are protected and just back them up for my sensitive data.

 

[elbirth]

I want to think I've heard of some software you get get that will let you do this, but I can't remember exactly.

Another thing to consider, though, would be to rename the folder by simply putting a period in front of its name, such as ".secretfolder"

then, in the Finder it's considered hidden. you'll never know it's there unless you allow viewing hidden files/folder, or if you manually type in its location to go there. in some cases, that could be just as good, if not better, than password protection

 

[gollum]

More specific to the answer above, later versions StuffIt's "DropStuff" uses 512 bit encryption, works great!

Another way to just hide stuff is to pick out a small application you don't ever use and right click, select "Show package contents", open "Contents" then stick whatever in a "Resources" folder like dutch.Iproj. I've tested it and a normal search doesn't see it, but if it's a huge file, then a program like "WhatSize" will.

 

[Les Kern]

Stuffit Deluxe. Best 59 bucks you can spend. Has handy menus via right click as well.

 

[jsw]

This post tells how to do the encrypted folder; this one has a different app suggestion.