Simplest way to password protect an external drive??

I want to clone my Macbook onto an external drive - I don't want to have to turn on filevault - never used it - i would ideally like to password protect the "Macintosh HD" icon on the external drive.... is there a really simple way to do this?

Well, whenever I want to password protect anything, I just encrypt it using disk utility.
After opening Disk Utility, go to File, New, Blank Disk Image. Then you select how much space you'd like to take up with the encrypted folder (you have to preset the size of the folder anticipating further change). The folder can be made on your main HD or Flash drive or external HD. It offer 256bit encryption but the folder can still be deleted by anyone with access to it even without the password.

Similar Messages

  • I'm trying to find an external drive for the MacPro that will allow me to password protect the external drive in case it is taken.  Any suggestions on a very reliable on that is 2TB or a third party software that is compatable with the need I describe?

    I'm trying to find an external drive for the MacPro that will allow me to password protect the external drive in case it is taken.  Any suggestions on a very reliable one that is 2TB or a third party software that is compatable with the need I describe?

    How much of a hurry are you in, and are you considering upgrading to Lion?
    File Vault on Snow Leopard only encrypts home folders you select, and doesn't work well with Time Machine.
    But Lion will have "full disk encryption" of local or external disks.  See File Vault 2 here: http://www.apple.com/macosx/whats-new/features.html

  • How do I encrypt/password protect an external drive?

    Hey, I have over 80 gigs of music saved on an external hard drive I use with my MBP. I take this disk to different studios, etc and want to make sure that I am the only one who can access the external drive when it is plugged into a computer. Is there a way to encrypt/passwork protect an entire external drive? I looked into the disk image thing, but as far as I can tell there are space limitations with this (or am I wrong)?
    I would really appreciate anyones help with this. Thanks.

    If you want to password protect a folder ...
    Launch /Applications/Applescript/Script Editor
    Paste this in:
    on opening folder This_Folder
    repeat
    tell application "Finder"
    set dialogresult to display dialog "Restricted Folder. Please enter the password to access folder:" buttons {"Ok", "Close"} default button 1 default answer "" with hidden answer
    copy the result as list to {PWText, button_choice}
    set button_choice to the button returned of dialogresult
    if button_choice is equal to "Ok" then
    set PWText to the text returned of dialogresult
    if not PWText = "your password" then
    display dialog "Access Denied" buttons {"Ok"} default button 1
    else
    display dialog "Access Granted" buttons {"Ok"} default button 1
    exit repeat
    end if
    else if button_choice is equal to "Close" then
    tell application "Finder"
    close folder This_Folder
    exit repeat
    end tell
    end if
    end tell
    end repeat
    end opening folder
    Click 'Compile' then 'Save As'
    (Where it says "*your password*" insert the one you want)
    Then CTRL-click on a folder / (Enable Folder Actions if not on) / Configure Folder Actions / Activate and select your script.

  • Password protecting an external drive

    apologies if this has already been asked and answered:
    I back up my Macbook onto an external La Cie hard drive; my macbook is protected by account and login passwords - how can I password protect the identical data on my backup drive?

    Use the Disk Utility application in the /Applications/Utilities/ folder to create an encrypted disk image on that drive, and then move your data on the external drive to it followed by throwing the unencrypted data away and choosing Secure Empty Trash from the Finder menu. If you don't uncheck the box to add the image's password to the keychain and the keychain password is the same as your login password, which is the default setting, the image will be unlocked to your account when you login, but will remain encrypted to other accounts, including root.
    (20535)

  • Is there any way to password protect a hard drive?

    What I would like is that if you connect a hard drive, it cannot be opened or accessed or have the content visible without putting in a password. Is this possible?
    Thanks very much.

    Thanks. I'm leery of encrypting video files, especially segmented ones. Perhaps I shouldn't be.
    Does the drive have to re-encrypt each time it's closed?
    Thanks again.

  • ISO: a way to password protect a volume or drive

    Is there any EASY way to password protect a volume or drive either via the OS or by some utility? I'd like to have one drive with my sensitive docs that's password protected that I could carry with me and use on multiple systems. I see various encryption apps that involve elaborate schemes for protecting data. I'm looking for a simple Access/No-Access solution.
    Ideally I'd like it so when I boot up or when I plug in my "protected drive" I'd be asked for a password. If I, or whomever is trying to access the drive, declines or puts in the wrong password the volume simply would not mount or better still, mount but be inaccessible until the password is entered.
    With so much security built in to OSX seems like there must be a way to do this.
    Thanks!
    8core 5gb RAM and 2gHz MBP 2gb RAM   Mac OS X (10.4.9)  
    8core 5gb RAM and 2gHz MBP 2gb RAM   Mac OS X (10.4.9)  

    You entered your password when you logged in; when you authenticated yourself. Unix has never done a second password; you authenticated yourself at the front door. You can certainly set up the file protections to keep other users out.
    As for password-protecting a specific object, that's -- as others have stated -- an add-on. Or you use the built-in FileVault stuff, or external hardware.
    There are current-generation drives that have password protection mechanisms or similar authentication -- USB keydisks and hard disks. Or you can use a commodity drive and the built-in FileVault. This akin to what you remember with the SyQuest drive.
    Or consider products such as the following:
    http://www.pgp.com/products/wholediskencryption/tech_specs.html
    http://www.usbgear.com/USB-Encryption.html
    Or what some of us do. Unplug the disk containing the data, and lock it up somewhere safe. If a desk drawer isn't sufficient, there are also physical disk enclosures with physical locks available on the market.
    Realize that various of these encryption products aren't worth as much as the proverbial warm bucket of spit; various of these products either use colossally weak encryption, or have mis-implemented encryption. It would not surprise me to learn that some even have back-doors.

  • Help- how to password protect an external hard drive?

    I'm just stuck. There must be a way to encrypt or password protect an external hard drive. No?

    The easiest way is to make an encrypted disk image of the folder contents with Disk Utility. Go to Disk Utility's File menu -> New -> Disk Image from Folder. There you can pick an encrypted disk image. Once you have made that image, delete the folder that it came from and leave the image behind. Mind you, there is always the risk you might lock yourself out permanently from that data if the image becomes corrupted. You are safer keeping the external hard disk in a physically safe place when not in use.

  • My child accidentally rented a movie on Apple TV.  Is there a way to refund the rental if we don't watch it?  How can I prevent this from happening?  Is there a way to password protect future purchases?

    My child accidentally rented a movie on Apple TV.  Is there a way to refund the rental if we don't watch it? 
    How can I prevent this from happening?  Is there a way to password protect future purchases?

    Did you try Parental Controls?
    Apple TV: Understanding Restrictions (parental controls) - Apple Support
    See if that does the trick: I think there's a way for you to request a password for purchases, but still be logged in.

  • Is there a way to password protect internet access?

    Is there a way to password protect internet access?
    Is there a way to password protect the Airport function on my mac?
    I have spent some time looking at the forums and on the internet trying to look for a app that can solve my problem. I wish to be able to turn off internet access. I have been using K9 web protection but have found some flaws and bugs. It is a great idea and works well except for the "block any access between(set time) and (set time)" function.
    I want to be able to use my computer with out the worry of access to the internet. In my simplistic ideas I need an app that will simply toggle the AirPort function on and off and password protect it. That way when i dont want the distraction in my own life and when i let the rest of the family are playing games the internet is safely protected.
    At this time the ethernet connection is not a problem.
    I can simply un plug the router however the neighbours around me don't password protect their connections!
    If any one knows of a way to solve this or any alternative solutions please let me know.
    Many thanks for reading and I look forward to your expertise.
    Alex

    AirPort Express frequently asked questions (FAQ)
    Question: Can I completely turn off the AirPort Express wireless signal when I don't need it?    Answer: No, though you can turn the transmission strength down to a minimum setting. To prevent unauthorized access, you can turn on wireless security features.
    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1515
    Wi-Fi base stations: Setting up and configuring a roaming network (802.11 a/b/g/n)
    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4260
    Check your access privileges
        If you enabled encryption on your network, make sure that you set up your base station or router properly. Consult the documentation that came with your product. Make sure you're using the correct settings and password. If you're joining a closed network, a network with its name hidden, make sure that you've entered the network name and password correctly. If the network is secured by access control, make sure that your MAC address is registered with the network administrator. Consult the network administrator for assistance with access.
    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1145
    Airport Apple Support
    http://www.apple.com/support/airport/

  • Is there a way to "force-mount" an external drive that doesn't show up on it's own when plugged in with firewire?

    Hi, is there a way to "force-mount" an external drive that doesn't show up on the desktop? I have a new Hitachi SATA III 2 TB Ultrastar that won't show up like all the other drives when plugged in. So I can't partition, repair, format etc with Disk Utility, Disk Drill, Tech Tools etc. How do I make it visible?
    I use the FW 400 to 800 adapter and a FW hub.
    Thanks,
    W.

    ok, I did find the log in Diskutil of what happened, I just can't figure out why it happened and how to start over:
    2014-04-20 13:42:08 -0400: Disk Utility started.
    2014-04-20 13:44:30 -0400: Preparing to erase : “Terra 8”
    2014-04-20 13:44:30 -0400:           Partition Scheme: GUID Partition Table
    2014-04-20 13:44:30 -0400:           1 volume will be created
    2014-04-20 13:44:30 -0400:                     Name                    : “Terra 8”
    2014-04-20 13:44:30 -0400:                     Size                    : 2 TB
    2014-04-20 13:44:30 -0400:                     File system          : Mac OS Extended (Journaled)
    2014-04-20 13:44:30 -0400: Unmounting disk
    2014-04-20 13:45:00 -0400: Creating the partition map
    2014-04-20 13:45:01 -0400: Waiting for the disks to reappear
    2014-04-20 13:45:01 -0400: Formatting disk2s2 as Mac OS Extended (Journaled) with name Terra 8
    2014-04-20 13:45:26 -0400: Initialized /dev/rdisk2s2 as a 2 TB case-insensitive HFS Plus volume with a 155648k journal
    2014-04-20 13:45:26 -0400: Mounting disk
    2014-04-20 13:45:29 -0400: Erase complete.
    2014-04-20 13:45:29 -0400:
    - That was it, gone.....

  • What is the best way to set up an external drive for video storage

    What is the best way to set up an external drive for video storage?

    Check the formatting. It need to be formatted as Mac OS Extended (journaled). This is also known as HFS+.
    FAT32 and NTFS formatting will not work with iMovie.
    If necessary, you can reformat using Disk Utility.
    Make one large partition. No need for multiple partitions.
    Do moves or copies to the external drive through iMovie as detailed in iMovie Help. If you move Events in the Finder, they may become unlinked from the projects that use them.

  • How to password-protected an external disk on yosemite?

    I search for hours but with no results...
    I'm searching for a simple and free application that will password protect my external disk I'm moving from one place to another one. There are a lot of free solutions for PC but I have a hard time finding a solution for Mac.
    Encryption with disk utility is not a solution for me since my 10.6.8 computer would not recognize the disk.
    Moreover, I only want a simple password-protection.
    I bought a WD elements and thought I could use Wd security but it looks like it only works with WD my passport (that contains this software) and that WD is preventing WD elements hard disks to be recognized by this application....
    I searched the internet and it looks like there is no free solution. Or any free solution is not updated (not yosemite compatible).
    Is there a free app ? Or do I have to buy a software (in that case which one would you recommend me)?
    Thanks for your advices.

    Thank you Kappy but you didn't read all my post. I quote "Encryption with disk utility is not a solution for me since my 10.6.8 computer would not recognize the disk."

  • Is there a way to password protect a document in the app Pages

    Is there a way to password protect a document in the app Pages?

    I'm using iOS 7.1 on my iPad - and yes, you can click the little spanner (wrench) icon when you're in the document you want to protect, and there's an option "set password" towards the bottom of the menu.

  • Is there any way to password protect a project in aperture 3?

    I have certain projects that I don't want viewable by others that may use my computer.  Is there any way to password protect a certain project or album to restrict access?

    No. You can hide images using the "reject" rating, and you can password protect a Library by putting it on a password-protected sparsebundle.
    A good answer
    A search of this Discussion forum.
    OS X has fast-user switching and a built-in Guest account.  I never allow anyone access to my account.
    To limit a client's view to just his/her Projects, use Aperture's "Favorites" function.  A forum regular -- Shutters33d, iirc -- posted this excellent suggestion just a couple of days ago.
    Message was edited by: Kirby Krieger

  • HT3529 Is there a way to password protect imessage?

    Is there a way to password protect imessage for iphone 4?

    No, you can only passcode protect the phone.

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