Excercising invisibility in OSX!

Z

zoranb

Registered
How can i make a folder or files invisible, like the hidden option in windows where other users cannot see! Can this be done in USBflash disks?
 
If its going to be viewed on OSX, just put a period '.' before the filename, OSX then considers it invisible. Windows users will still see it automatically though. I don't think you can do cross platform, compatibility, as its up to each OS what files it considers visible to the user, the system can always see them.
 
In MacOS X (at lease with MacOS X 10.4.4) you cannot simply place a '.' before a file or folder name. The MacOS will display an alert box stating - "You cannot use a name that begins with a dot '.', because these names are reserved for the system. Please choose another name.".

Consider these 'VersionTracker' utilities.
 
If you really want to make files/folders totally inaccessable to prying eyes, you'll need to encrypt them.
Check these out: http://macupdate.com/search.php?keywords=encryption&os=macosx&button.x=0&button.y=0

Just making them invisible won't stop a savvy Mac user from discovering them, although it will greatly lessen the chances of someone finding them.
You could change the name of the file/folder before hiding it; that would sort of camouflage it should someone reveal your hidden files.
But encryption is the only way to go if you want total protection against all prying eyes.
 
Ok what i really want is to be able to hide folders from a flash disk i mount on my mac. Hide them from the admin that will enter my mac using remote desktop! Can i hide some critical folders i might have on my flash disk and at the same time beeing able to use files from that idden folder, or beeing able to use portabe firefox that would also be in that hidden folder??
 
barhar said:
In MacOS X (at lease with MacOS X 10.4.4) you cannot simply place a '.' before a file or folder name. The MacOS will display an alert box stating - "You cannot use a name that begins with a dot '.', because these names are reserved for the system. Please choose another name.".

Consider these 'VersionTracker' utilities.
Click to expand...

Ahh, i forgot about that as i use the terminal to do such renames. :) That way it does work as I describe. You can't hide things from a unix savvy admin though. I suggest you make an encrypted disk image (.dmg) file with Disk Utility. Then you can leave that on the flash drive, double; click to open, put in the password and voila. The admin could see the dmg but not what was in it, unless they were viewing you when you opened it that is :)

Best option, get your own machine where you don't have to hide things, stop doing the things you aren't allowed to do or ply the admin with beer :D.
 
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