Encrypting File System Options for Mac OS X?

fieldmouse asks: "I recently had a laptop running Mac OS X stolen. Despite the fact that I got it back, that incident has me looking for an encrypting file system for Mac OS X; preferably one that would create a psuedo drive that I could unlock once when I log on. Anybody have any suggestions?" About 2 years ago, Ask Slashdot did the Linux version of this question. Has this gap been filled in Apple's latest OS offering?

Comments

how about a disk image?

[Niksie3]

Hi,

Have you concidered making an Apple Disk Image (.img file), it can use some form of 40bit encryption..

Disk Image

[mlknowle]

I made a 200mb disc image using Apple's (built in) Disk Copy app, and enabled the encryption options. I keep sensitive docs and client notes on it; whenever I need it, I open the disk image, type my passphrase and the disk pops up like any other removable media.

When I'm finished, I just eject it. How secure is this? I'm not sure what function Disk Copy uses for encryption, but it is enough that if my laptop were stolen, I'd worry about the computer, not the data.

Disc Image

[djupedal]

...allows encryption

Re:also Open Firmware Password utility

[usr122122121]

If you try to boot from another partition, CD, or external drive, you're presented with a very plain password screen with no instructions. I then have the screen saver set to require my password to get back to the finder. it's not obviously quite as secure as encrypting an entire volume, but is fairly secure.

The open firmware password method is a very useful if you are limiting physical access to the computer... however, if the computer was stolen, you don't have that sort of control.

The thief could very easily remove the hard drive from the computer and place it into another one to circumvent Open Firmware Passwording. Thus, in addition to Open Firmware Passwording you must also have some sort of encryption to safeguard the files on the disk.