folder passwords on a mac

[shiznit]

can you password protect individual folders on a mac, and if so how?


Thanks

[fo3nix]

You can turn them into an encrypted drive very easily (accomplishes the same thing).

Open Disk Utility from /Applications/Utilities

Click file -> new image from folder

Choose the folder you want encrypted and press OK

Name your folder, and choose read/write and encrypted (AES-128) below the name

It'll ask for a password. Type what you want or press the key button to let it make one up for you that's very secure. Press OK.

That's it! Now if you find the disk image you've created with finder (on your desktop or something), double-click on it and it'll ask for a password then open it as if it's a virtual drive. You can then double-click this from the desktop or finder sidebar and see your files in it. Add and remove files as you like, and once you're done, eject it like you do a regular disk and you'll be left with the encrpyed .dmg file you created. This now contains in encrpyed form the files you added or removed.

[fo3nix]

Then, you'll find you're still left with the original folder too.

This may contain sensitive information (why you want it password protected), so you can securely erase this by dragging it to the trash can as usual, but then opening the trash folder and clicking Finder -> Secure Erase Trash.

Make absolutely sure you have this stuff safely in the protected file first, because once you erase this, there's no getting it back.

[m@d h@tter]

You're a genius fo3nix.

Although I didn't ask the question, I've often wanted to encrypt just one folder on my Mac rather than encrypting the whole 'home folder' with File Vault.

I've followed your advice and it works a treat.
Take a bow.

[shiznit]

Thank you so much once again fo3nix, do you work for Apple or something lol.

It does work a treat, I needed to protect some work folders from the kids as they have recently started using my laptop.

Can always rely on you you mate.

Shiz

[shiznit]

One more thing , I think I have not totally understood the adding and removing files part. When I try to do that it just tells me that the disk cannot be modified.

Am I missing something?

Thanks

[fo3nix]

Did you create the disk as read/write, and not compressed or something else?

If so, you should be able to double-click the .dmg file. This 'mounts' it, making it appear as another drive on your system. You should then be able to drag files into this drive (not the .dmg file), and then when you've finished eject the drive as usual.

The extra files you added should now be in the .dmg file.