Can time machine files be password protected?

Question

Can time machine files be password protected?

My college-aged daughter has a Macbook Pro and a portable external hard drive (Mini-G) that she uses as a back up drive with Time Machine. I am concerned that if she lost her external drive or if it were stolen, the files on the drive would be accessible to anyone (I can get to them with my MBP). The computer itself is password protected but the back up drive is not. Does anyone know how I can password-protect the drive or do something else for security?
Thanks

macbook pro, Mac OS X (10.6)

Posted on Sep 9, 2009 7:21 PM

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Answer 1

Kappy

Level 10

362,023 points

Sep 9, 2009 7:30 PM in response to Douglas Mugel

The only way is to turn on FileVault which encrypts the entire Home folder. The drawback is that TM will only backup the Home folder when you log out of the user account but before the computer is shut down or put to sleep. Perhaps it would be best she not carry around the backup drive which will prevent any concerns of theft. However, theft of the computer would create the same problem, hence the reason for using FileVault.

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Answer 2

V.K.

Level 9

56,192 points

Sep 9, 2009 7:31 PM in response to Douglas Mugel

the mac way to do this is to enable filevault on her home directory. then the home directory will be kept in an encrypted disk image which nobody can open without a password. same will be true for the backups of that home directory on the TM drive. but filevault has some unpleasant limitations for TM. you can't use TM interface to restore files ina filevaulted home directory and it's only backed up when you log out.

the only other option is to use full disk encryption like PGP.
I think it works with Time machine but I'm really not sure on this.
https://www.pgp.com/products/wholediskencryption/index.html

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