I tried using the search function, but couldn't find what I was looking for. How do I password protect a folder on my computer so that even if i'm logged on, and the system is not going to wake up from a screensaver or sleep which can be password protected, people won't be able to access the contents of that folder? Is there a way you can do this? Thanks!
hahaha! Sounds good! Although unfortunately, the free version does not allow password protection. Still it totally hides said folder from view. Another useful thing I've discovered is to require a password when your system goes into sleep mode. that works (manually) just as well.
The one with the password is really what i need i feel more secure but for now ill use the hide folder. thanks guys.
Password Protect a Folder? Hi...Do you guys know how to pasword protect a folder? I have "files" that I dont want family and friends to accidentaly see when they use my laptop Thanks!
Re: Password Protect a Folder? If you are sharing your laptop with other people that you don't want looking at your files, I suggest that you create a separate account for them and just enable fast user switching.
Re: Password Protect a Folder? I like to use HideMe. But search MacUpdate.com or VersionTracker.com and use the keyword 'hide' to find other titles of software that serve the same purpose.
Re: Password Protect a Folder? The best solution I know of: use password-protected disk images. What is a disk image? It's basically a virtual disk. You've used them often na, actually. These are the same .DMG files that you usually get to install apps (like Skype or Adium). You can make a disk image using Disk Utility, the same program used to repair permission. Just launch Disk Utility under Application>Utilities. Click File>New>Blank Disk Image. Specify what size you want the disk image to be, and then activate password encryption. It will then create the DMG file. When you open it, it'll ask for the password then load it just like a USB Drive, use it exactly as a virtual USB drive, read, write, whatever. EJect it when your done. You can make as many multiple DMG files as your storage can manage. Let me know how it goes. Enjoy! Leo
Re: Password Protect a Folder? Wow, that was fast. I'll try to do the recommendations and see what I like the best. Thanks guys for the tip and info!
I don't get it. You can easily find the hidden files by opening HideMe. So why bother? Or am i doing something wrong?
Try out Espionage, you can password protect individual files and folders. Best of all you can even choose to encrypt the folders if you want total security. Been using it for a while now to hide financial records and cost estimates sent to clients on our studio computers.
I use MacHider. I have a trial version which allows me to hide 3 files only. But the trick is, it also counts a folder as a single file, so I just dropped everything on that folder and use the app to hide. Even if you open the app again, it won't show the hidden folder unless you make it visible in the application.
Thank you so much to this thread, I've also been looking for a file/folder privacy protection for the longest time and among all the posts in this thread, I feel most comfy with MacHider. A little OT, thanks also to Sir Elbert for his post... though my Google search led me to a different topic/purpose, I'm now finally able to access restricted sites here in Doha, Qatar with that. [Post with all due respect.] Its like hitting 2 birds with 1 stone. Hehe!
Re: Password Protect a Folder? I like this solution because its free and no download required. I actually use this method to keep important files safe. Multiple layers of protection is also a good idea: 1. if you share your computer with others, create separate accounts. 2. adjust the security settings in system preferences to require password when waking up from sleep or from a screen saver 3. adjust the screen saver settings so that it activates regularly (10 minutes or so) 4. if you know you are going to be away from your machine for some time (get coffee, go to lunch) activate the screen saver by going to a 'hot corner' None of these steps require additional software.
Between Knox and Truecrypt, I'll go with Truecrypt. http://www.truecrypt.org/ The only thing is that Truecrypt only deals with encrypted volumes, not folders, which is what the OP wants. On the other hand, I don't see the need for an encrypted folder if one has encrypted volumes. YMMV.
I use Hide Folders but only the free version. But it has no password protection. The paid version has.
