Forums | MacLife

If you're currently the only user of the machine (or at least the only user with your own login), you have a couple of options:

1. require a proper login sequence (with password) upon boot. Go to USERS in the System Preferences panel and make sure that "Log in automatically as [your login name]" is unchecked.

Then create a new login for anyone who might realistically find your computer and use it. You'll keep your private folders private by keeping them in your home directory. Now, _remember_ _to_ _log_ _out_ when you leave your Mac, or else anyone with fingers in your house can get into your homedir.

2. The more awkward solution out-of-the-box is to select your folder in question and go File>>Get Info (Cmd-I). Now in Ownership and Permission part of the subsequent window, deny *yourself* access to the folder by changing the Owner's Access to "No Access" or "Write Only (Drop Box)".  (You might have to click on the blue lock to the right so that the lock is 'open.') This is really awkward and kludgy because every time you need to get into the folder, you'll have to change the permissions. I didn't need my admin password to regain access to the folder, but YMMV. So some other housemate with a little computer savvy might think to check such permissions if you didn't log out before said housemate started snooping around, and your cover will be blown.

There was a program called Folderbolt which allowed a folder-by-folder security system, encryption, etc. way back when in the days of Systems 6 and 7. I don't know if it's still around, but I'm sure there are 3rd party software solutions to what you want to do, too. Certainly something that'll run with the new X11 environment, I'm sure. Unix is *all* about the need to access.

HTH