Time Machine security

Stu-art wrote:

. . .

Can a Time Machine drive be plugged into another Mac (the one it doesn't normally back up) and allow access to files?

Yes. Since Time Machine nornally only shows the backups for the Mac it's running on, you'll need the Browse... option, per Time Machine - Frequently Asked Question #17.

If so, can I password protect my Time Machine back-up?

I don't know of any way to do that.

hi - you can enable encryption

this answer from:

http://www.macyourself.com/2011/09/04/how-to-password-protect-and-encrypt-time-m achine-backups/

• Launch System Preferences, then click on the Time Machine icon.
• Go to Select Disk and select the disk you’re using for your Time Machine backup.
• Check the box next to “Encrypt backup disk” and click the Use Backup Disk button.
• Type in a password of your choice. Make sure it’s difficult for others to crack, but easy for you to remember. If you need to restore from your backup in the future and forget this password, you’re going to be out of luck.

Sorry, but encryption only works on Lion and later.

Stu-art is running Snow Leopard.

sorry, missed the OS - its cheap to upgrade to Mountain Lion from Snow Leopard - can go from 10.6 to 10.8 in one jump 🙂

Yes, if your hardware will run it, and if you can do without PPC and some other apps and some old peripherals.