How to Use FileVault to Protect Your Data
I just got a new iMac; however, I’m afraid that my boyfriend who works as a Genius at an Apple Store will be able to “hack it” and go through my files in my account. How can I protect myself from my boyfriend who is a Mac expert? Help me!
Mac has security features built right in that can help prevent snoops from gaining access to your important data. Your first defense is to disable automatic login. To do this, navigate to System Preferences > Accounts > Login Options. From the Automatic Login drop-down menu, select Off. While you’re here, select your user account and set a password if you haven’t already.
But any Apple Genius worth their salt will be able to get around a login password without even breaking a sweat. To truly lock down your data, you should turn on FileVault, which encrypts your entire Home folder, keeping anyone from perusing your files by connecting it to another computer and using Target Disk Mode to browse your machine. To enable FileVault, navigate to System Preferences > Security > FileVault.
FileVault can lock your data up tight. Just don’t forget your master password.
If you really want to thwart a potential intruder, you’ll also have to set a firmware password to prevent someone from booting up your Mac with an OS X install disk and then using the Password Reset Utility to change your account passwords. To set a firmware password, boot up from your OS X disc, and then choose Utilities > Firmware Password Utility.
Don’t forget that the weak link in all of these precautions is your password. So make it complicated, make it long, and make sure it’s not something that your sneaky boyfriend can easily guess.
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ssj152
July 06, 2011 at 9:11pm
The only good way to prevent his hacking is to not let him touch the computer. This is true of almost any computer. Keep it locked away, or better yet 1) don't have secrets or don't' have that boyfriend.
If he can't be trusted, ditch him. If the problem is that you can't be trusted... well, lets not go there.
viscara
July 05, 2011 at 1:43pm
The overal and more important question why is she with some guy that would "Snoop" through her private things that he has no right to do? And why would she allow herself to be with someone that would do this and someone she can not trust. If she could not trust him why is she with someone like this. Someone that does these types of things will find one way or another to "Snoop" thru her computer or other things. Avoid the problem all together and be with someone you trust not someone you don't.
adaniller
July 05, 2011 at 12:54pm
I didn't know about FileVault, so I went to turn it on in my MacBook's System Preferences. I received an error message saying that my hard drive doesn't have enough free space; 97 gbs were required and I only have 13 free gbs.
Does FileVault need that much free space normally, or just when it's first enabled? In other words, could I do something along the lines of moving my music library (which takes up about 75% my hard drive space) temporarily to an external drive, turning on FileVault, and then moving my music library back to the internal drive? Or would I run into the same error message with FileVault as soon as I moved the music back?
jzarob
July 05, 2011 at 12:23pm
I think the real question is How can she afford an iMac when her boyfriend is a Genius at an Apple Store?
buzb
July 05, 2011 at 5:49pm
Did you know women can get high paying jobs, manage their own money, purchase their very own stuff, but yet pick dirt-bag guys?
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