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Post your comments for How to password protect folders here

[bettercitizens]

Chris,

Thanks for the detailed article - excellent work.

This post has been edited by bettercitizens: 04 October 2010 - 10:05 AM

[Tony1]

A Sparse Disk Bundle is more efficient when files are deleted. Although a Sparse Disk Image will grow automatically as you add files, they won't shrink when you delete files. You can 'compact' both in Terminal with "hdiutil compact <image>"

[jolipoli]

Another nice thing about the Sparse Disk is that it can be resized as more space is needed. Select the image of the disc in the sources window in Disk Utility (you can drag it to there from the Finder if it's not already there) and click on "Resize Image" in the toolbar, the dialog shows current size and offers the ability to change it.

Grow your disc as you need. Of course, the recommendation of having a backup of the image in case something doesn't work out is obvious.

Great article, Chris.

[Wondercow]

Tony1, on 04 October 2010 - 10:20 AM, said:

A Sparse Disk Bundle is more efficient when files are deleted. Although a Sparse Disk Image will grow automatically as you add files, they won't shrink when you delete files. You can 'compact' both in Terminal with "hdiutil compact <image>"

This implies that a sparse bundle will automatically shrink itself as files are deleted--it won't. Sparse bundle disk images still needs to be compacted to reclaim lost space due to file deletions.

This post has been edited by Wondercow: 04 October 2010 - 11:04 AM

[spielbrot]

I think disk images is the secure way to actually encrypt and protect files. Apples own File Vault uses sparseimage for protection if I remeber right.

But it is not a good solution for daily working with these files. Apple should offer a more convienient way to password protect a folder, without creating a disk image, like adding a folder action script. I have tried out a few third party solutions, but no one so far is easy enough.

[RhymingDesigner]

I've been using sparse images for a few years and find them easy enough to create and indispensable for two important purposes:
1) Storing sensitive files online. Dropbox is great, but I like an extra measure of security for some things.
2) Storing sensitive files on my laptop. Getting around your user password is no problem to whoever steals your laptop. Having a few sparse images with company secrets and Jessica Simpson's cell number? Worth the trouble.

[Jaddie]

Isn't this the primary task of Knox, which is developed by the same folks who develop 1Password?

[Chris Breen]

Jaddie, on 04 October 2010 - 01:06 PM, said:

Isn't this the primary task of Knox, which is developed by the same folks who develop 1Password?

\

Sure. There are third-party applications that will create encrypted archives. StuffIt can do it as well.

[coop5]

I have been using a software program called Espionage. It's simple, straightforward, and password protects any folder you choose.
http://www.taoeffect.com/espionage/

[Tony1]

Wondercow, on 04 October 2010 - 11:03 AM, said:

Tony1, on 04 October 2010 - 10:20 AM, said:

A Sparse Disk Bundle is more efficient when files are deleted. Although a Sparse Disk Image will grow automatically as you add files, they won't shrink when you delete files. You can 'compact' both in Terminal with "hdiutil compact <image>"

This implies that a sparse bundle will automatically shrink itself as files are deleted--it won't. Sparse bundle disk images still needs to be compacted to reclaim lost space due to file deletions.

No, I said its more efficient. Sparse bundle disk images will free up space when files are deleted, compaction is rarely needed.
For example, if a Sparse Disk Image has only 10m available and you delete a 50m file (and empty trash) there will still be only 10m avail (you need to compact to free up the 50m). Not so with a Sparse bundle disk images. Test this and you'll see what I mean.

[yangzone]

It's good to be able to password protect folders... even if there is all the effort. But to bite the bullet and cough up for Espionage 2 for Mac seems a sane alternative - it even password protects Mail, if needed.

[gpell]

Nice article Chris. But there is one useful feature that you could add. Create an alias to a file in a folder that you want to access often.

So, when you have the encrypted image open, drag an alias of your favorite file to the desktop (i.e. hold command and option keys while you drag). Then, in the future, when you want access the file with your secret information, just double-click it's alias icon on the desktop and you will be prompted for the disk image's password and the file will open immediately. It's almost like having a password/encrypted document. Just remember to eject the disk image when you're finished to protect it from snoopers.

[fogr4]

Tony1, on 04 October 2010 - 03:19 PM, said:

Wondercow, on 04 October 2010 - 11:03 AM, said:

Tony1, on 04 October 2010 - 10:20 AM, said:

A Sparse Disk Bundle is more efficient when files are deleted. Although a Sparse Disk Image will grow automatically as you add files, they won't shrink when you delete files. You can 'compact' both in Terminal with "hdiutil compact <image>"

This implies that a sparse bundle will automatically shrink itself as files are deleted--it won't. Sparse bundle disk images still needs to be compacted to reclaim lost space due to file deletions.

No, I said its more efficient. Sparse bundle disk images will free up space when files are deleted, compaction is rarely needed.
For example, if a Sparse Disk Image has only 10m available and you delete a 50m file (and empty trash) there will still be only 10m avail (you need to compact to free up the 50m). Not so with a Sparse bundle disk images. Test this and you'll see what I mean.

No, I agree with Wondercow. When you delete files from a sparsebundle disk empty space is not removed. Even if you delete the trash. You need to run the hdiutil compact command first.