Password protect Photos

Question

Password protect Photos

Can I have a folder within a folder that I make password protected - without making the main folder private. I'm trying to password protect certain photos while not locking up everything within my user account. It would come in handy for documents too but what I'd like to do is have a folder in finder titled "My photos" (for example) and within that, another folder "My private photos" that requires a password to open. This seems like it would be available but I can't find that option. Is it possible?

Thanks

black macbook, g5 tower, Mac OS X (10.4.7)

Posted on Jan 4, 2009 7:00 PM

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Answer 1

Best reply

Niel

Level 10

727,307 points

Jan 4, 2009 7:02 PM in response to nashvegas_tommy

Use an encrypted disk image to store the photos.

(39602)

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Answer 2

iBod

Level 7

29,345 points

Jan 4, 2009 7:16 PM in response to nashvegas_tommy

Or if the photos are in a shared area for other users, you could just alter the permissions on the folder (via 'Get Info' on the folder) such that only you have access.

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Answer 3

Jan 4, 2009 7:19 PM in response to Niel

Followed instructions and chose a location for "new image" but it's not in that location. It just shows as a volume under my hard drive, ext. drive etc. Seems like an easy and useful thing to be able to do - requiring a password to open particular files within folders w/o requiring password for everything within folder. I seems like it should give that option when right clicking or control clicking file image.

Maybe leopard has it?

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Answer 4

Niel

Level 10

727,307 points

Jan 4, 2009 7:21 PM in response to nashvegas_tommy

It just shows as a volume under my hard drive, ext. drive etc.

It will appear in both locations.

Maybe leopard has it?

It doesn't.

(39607)

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Answer 5

Jan 4, 2009 7:26 PM in response to iBod

That's exactly what I want to do.... How? There is a box to click that says "Lock" and under "details I can set "others" to no access. But where do I choose/input a password? Will it be my main user password?

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Answer 6

Niel

Level 10

727,307 points

Jan 4, 2009 7:29 PM in response to nashvegas_tommy

But where do I choose/input a password?

An administrator password will be needed to access them; it can be supplied either from the Get Info screen or by dragging the folder to the desktop and authenticating the action. This isn't customizable.

(39608)

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Answer 7

iBod

Level 7

29,345 points

Jan 4, 2009 7:31 PM in response to nashvegas_tommy

This will only work if users are accessing the photos at a shared location (like /Users/Shared) from their own accounts on the machine. If that that is the case, you don't need a password. You'll simply be preventing them from gaining access via the permissions while allowing yourself to view them.

If you're letting them log onto your account, it won't work as 'they' are really 'you' still 🙂. In that event, the method Niel has mentioned is the only way to do it.

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Answer 8

Jan 4, 2009 7:40 PM in response to iBod

Thank you. I did it through permissions and "They are really you" is exactly the problem. The way neil mentioned draws a lot of unnecessary attention to the "file" but these aren't government secrets. Just pictures - not even especially juicy ones. well... Thanks to both of you.

If someone has some pull, I think a great update to the operating system would be the ability to "lock" individual files, docs, pics, etc. You should be able to right click or control click the icon and have a choice of "make private".... but I guess "They are really you" is still over riding that way....

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