Sometimes, people have to share the computer with the other friends or family members. Although the easiest way to share the computer is by creating another account which can be used by another person to login to Mac. However, if both person needs to have the administrative account, you can always protect your personal folders or files with the secret password which will not be accessible by anyone but you. Fortunately, Apple provides a way to protect the files or folders on Mac but this method is not as simple as it seems. This method will basically create the image of the folder which can be protected using a strong security code. So, this method is not easily understandable by most of the users. Moreover, anyone without the password can delete this folder, such problems can be overcome using a third party software such as Hider 2 on macOS High Sierra.
Here’s the step by step guide to password protect a folder on Mac using both methods. Contents. 1st Method: Password Protect a Folder using Disk Utility This method is bit complicated as compared to the later one but it does not require installation of a third party program and all you need to have is the password of administrative account of the macOS. Moreover, after securing the folder using this method, you can even delete the original folder without any problems of deleting the precious data from your folder. Here’s how it works: Step 1: Launch Disk Utility on your Mac, if you are newbie and don’t know where is the Disk utility, click on the “LaunchPad” on the dock. Step 2: Now, start typing the “Disk Utility” and you will see the program right on your screen.
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Click on it to Launch it on your Mac. Step 3: Once the Disk Utility is launched, click on the “File” button on the top and click on “New Image Image from Folder”. You can also use the keyboard shortcut Shift + Command + N to start a new image from the Folder. Step 4: As soon as you hit the new image for the folder, it will open the Finder where you will have to select the folder that you want to protect with the password. Step 5: On the next screen, enter the new name of the password protected folder, click on where to change the location for the protected folder.
There are dedicated Mac apps to archive unarchive files with more features. Even if the Mac has a built-in option to an archive file. These Mac archiver apps are offering premium features such as password protection, drag and drop archive, etc. The unarchiver apps for Mac are available both for free and paid with additional features.
You will have to encrypt the folder here, click on “Encryption” and select “.” Step 6: It will open another window on the screen, enter the password for this folder in this window and click on “Choose” button. Step 7: Click on “Save” button and it will start protecting the folder with the password.
Once the folder is protected, you will a dialogue showing the “Operation Successful”. Click on the “Done” button. Step 8: That’s it! You will see a new file with the.dmg extension in the output folder. Step 9: Once you double click on the folder, you will have to enter the password of the file. Now, you can delete the already present folder from your computer.
Although it seems like a difficult task but it is a great way to quickly add or remove password on a folder on Mac. However, if you don’t want to go through this hassle, you can use the guide mentioned below to add password to folder using a third party application. 2nd Method: Password Protect a Folder using MacPaw Hider 2 All of the third party programs will cost you money to fully function on your Mac.
One of them is the Hider 2 which has easy to use interface and does not require any complicated settings. This program will basically create the vault on your Mac where you can save the important files and folders and can even make them invisible from your macOS. As this program is not available on the Mac App Store, so, you will have to purchase it from MacPaw website and install it manually on your macOS. To purchase the full version of Hider 2 and download the.DMG of the file.
After downloading the file, launch it on your Mac and here’s how it will look. Hold the MacPaw Hider 2 and drop it to the “Applications” folder. On the next screen, click on the “Open” button. If you haven’t enabled the installation from all sources, you will have to go the System Preferences to make changes.
Click on the Apple sign in top left corner and click on “System Preferences”, hit the “Security” and open the program. Once the application is installed, open it on your computer. Click the “Next” and read about the features of the Hider 2. Finally, enter the password for your folders on the last screen and click on “Create Vault.” Now, you will have to select the secret place for your vault. We will recommend you to select one of the deep folders where no one will think of searching. After selecting the location, click on the “Save Vault.” That’s it!
This program is all set, now, you can add files or folder to protect them using a strong password. Click on the “File” and select “Add Files”. Select the folders or files that you want to protect. If you have added all files, the folder will become invisible from your Mac. In order to make it Visible again, you can enable the option right next to it. Now, you will have to minimize the program, click on the “Lock Hider.” Here’s how it will look like on your Mac, you can enter the password of your account to see the locked folders or files. Remove Folders from Hider 2 to Unlock Them Permanently Launch Hider 2 and tap with two fingers on the folder.
Now, select the “Remove Item from the List.”. On the next screen, click on “OK” Button as shown in the screenshot below. You have permanently unlocked the folder from the Hider 2.
There is no deny in the fact that the second method is way better as compared to the first method to protect folders using a password. The only advantage that the first method has is that it is absolutely free of cost and does not require an installation of any third party application. Other great programs which can be used to lock folders on Mac includes “Protect Files” and “Concealer” and both of them will cost $19.99 which is same to the Hider 2. Which method do you use to protect files or folders on your Mac? Let us know in the comments section below. Read more like this.
Sponsored Links Best Password Management Apps for iPhone and iPad #1. Password Boss Password Boss not only lets you manage your passwords smartly but also allows you to offer them the required security. It enables you to log into any website without needing to enter your passwords. You can store all of your passwords and access them easily. It creates a secure password for every website to ensure your account remains safe.
The passwords are automatically copied to all of the other synced devices. Hence, if you make any changes on any of your devices, all the other devices will be automatically updated. To offer the complete safeguard to your passwords, it uses 256-bit AES. Sponsored Links If you don’t want to remember passwords anymore and wish a better solution that can let you safely and quickly log into websites, then “Password Boss” stands as a perfect choice for you. Price: Free #2. Private Password Manager Private Password Manager makes it ultra-convenient to remember all of your passwords and keep them securely. It allows you to create a master passcode which you can easily remember and hence be able to log into any website quickly.
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Just in case, you don’t want even master passcode, use your fingerprint. Sponsored Links The built-in browser lets you auto-fill username and passwords quickly. To offer the required safeguard to your passwords, it encrypts all them using AES-256-bit encryption system.
You can keep the most secret in the hide list to access them with a bit easily. There is also a self-destructive feature to let you easily clean up the entire data when your account is attacked. Price: Free #3. SafeInCloud Pro SafeInCloud Pro is exceptionally user-friendly. To ensure your data has the desired security, the password manager app keeps it in an encrypted database. It also lets you synchronize your data with other devices via some cloud services such as Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive and more.
Sponsored Links With the powerful encryption (256-bit AES), it makes sure your private information has the needed shield to remain safe. The password strength analysis gives you the real idea of how secure your password is.
If you want to completely get rid of the habit of remembering passwords, you can use Touch ID to log into websites instantly. The built-in browser takes away all the pain of entering passwords. Price: $4.99 #4.
1Password 1Password is arguably the best password manager app. What makes it stand out is the ability to let you manage passwords with more convenience.
It allows you to sign into websites and apps a lot easier. Sponsored Links The end-to-end encryption provides more safeguard to your data. All the data you store in this app is shielded by the master password. You can lock the app automatically to offer complete security to your data even if your device is lost. Use tags and favorites to perfectly organize your data. If you wish to have an excellent password manager, 1Password is a great option to have.
Price: Free #5. Dashlane Dashlane excels in managing all your passwords and keeping them completely safe. It makes super easy to log into websites and apps.
It lets you keep your important document and security code under lock. If your passwords are used outside of this password manager, you will receive a security breach alert. The password generator lets you create strong passwords for your accounts. You can easily edit your previous passwords to remain secure. Price: Free #6. MiniKeePass Notably, KeePass isn’t an ultra-popular password manager, but for those who use it, MiniKeePass is an absolute must. KeePass is a Windows/Linux/Mac client for password management.
It’s an open-source project. But there are no mobile versions built by the same developer.
Many third-party iOS apps are built to support/integrate with KeePass, but MiniKeePass is probably the best of all. MiniKeePass, though old, works like a charm if you use KeePass. It runs in the background to support auto-login-information filling when you are browsing Safari. The password databases can be secured with a PIN. And since the passwords are saved as encrypted KeyPass files, you can even copy-paste them in Dropbox folders to sync. There is no cloud sync, though. KeePass and MiniKeePass are open-source and free.
Price: Free #7. LastPass At $12/year, LastPass is comparable to PasswordBox, but the former has been in the game for a longer time with a consistent reputation. LastPass is the password manager of choice for several thousand users. Most recently, it was recommended by Kickstarter CEO too after password security breach.
LastPass works on Mac, Linux, Windows as a browser plugin. Once installed, it has some really sophisticated (but simplified) feature that will save your passwords. You have complete control over all the settings and customizations that LastPass is capable of. All of this is free. To use LastPass for iPhone/iPad (iOS), you need a premium account that comes at $12/yr. With the iPhone app, your passwords will be synced between your devices. One downside is that LastPass doesn’t integrate with Mobile Safari, so all your browsing is done from within the app (with its built-in browser).
The password data, however, is stored locally (and securely) so that once synced, it is available offline too. Price: Free #8.
Secure+ Password Manager Secure+ keeps your data confidential and makes it ultra-convenient to manage your passwords. It encrypts your entire data with strong AES ecosystem to provide the needed safeguard from hacking. With just a tap, it allows you to backup your important data to Dropbox. The iTunes file sharing keeps the entire backup process offline. It keeps protection mechanism offline on the device.
This password manager app supports some options for hassle-free access. Price: $2.99 #9. Sticky “Sticky” provides a more simplified password managing solution. The app lets you securely store your passwords and access them with ease. It lets you store your personal information like addresses, names, phone numbers, IDs, credit card numbers, PINs and more.
All of your passwords are encrypted locally on your device with the military grade encryption AES-256. You can automatically log in to any website. Though the app is free, the cloud backup and synchronization features are included in Sticky Password Premium, which is available $19.
99 for one year. Additionally, Sticky is compatible with multiple languages including English, Czech, Dutch, French, German, Japanese, Russian and Ukrainian.
Price: Free #10. RoboForm “RoboForm” is feature-rich and makes password managing a pretty simple experience. With this app, you can instantly log in to websites and apps safely It lets you keep all of your passwords in one place. You can auto-save new passwords and also reduce them to a single master password. As all of your data is encrypted with industry-standard AES 256 encryption, you don’t have to worry about its protection. Moreover, you will be able to use the PIN, Touch ID and Face ID to add more shield to your data. Price: Free That’s pretty much it, folks!
What’s your pick? So, which one of these password manager apps have impressed you? Is any of your favorite app missing from the list? Do let us know that in the comments below.
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