can you encrypt just one file on your hard drive

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Level 1

15 points

can you encrypt just one file on your hard drive

Hello I am wondering if I can hide a fold or encrypt a folder so no one can get to it. My home folder is too big to turn on file vault.
Thanks
Gregg

2.8 imac, Mac OS X (10.5.6), 3mb ram, 1tb, 1tb TM backup. ATV, Ipod & old PC

Posted on Jan 10, 2009 11:53 AM

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Answer 1

V.K.

Level 9

56,174 points

Jan 10, 2009 11:56 AM in response to macereio

you can make an encrypted disk image using disk utility and put whatever you want inside. that's how filevault works too. It keeps an entire home directory inside an encrypted disk image.

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Answer 2

macereio Author

Level 1

15 points

Jan 11, 2009 3:54 PM in response to V.K.

Thank you but how does this work? it does not require any password and the file does not look any different. Sorry for my ignorance but I was able to create an encrypted disc image and put a file in it but it seems no different that the other files on my mac. Thanks again,
Gregg

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Answer 3

Niel

Level 10

727,163 points

Jan 11, 2009 4:03 PM in response to macereio

it does not require any password

If the password is in the keychain, it will be supplied whenever you are logged in. In addition, keep the image unmounted when you don't need to use the file; the password is required only upon mounting the image. A mounted image is one which is visible in the Finder's sidebar.

(39926)

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Answer 4

Jan 11, 2009 7:26 PM in response to macereio

You're technically not encrypting the file, but rather are encrypting the virtual "media" on which the file is stored. For added security you might not want to store the password for the disk image in the keychain, but it depends on how you and other folks use your computer.

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