OS X and locking a folder

qwikstreet

OS X Friendly
I have OS X on my desk at work. Multiple users are set up, but is usually logged in under me. Other support reps use the machine from time to time. I noticed that if multiple users are set up then I can not lock a folder. Is there a way around this, or am I not doing something right?
 
What I do on my computer is this:
1. Select the Folder you need to lock and do a Get Info
2. Next, go to Ownership & Permissions (as the Administrator) and change all options (Owner Access, Group access, Others) to : No Access
3. Then, click on Apply to enclosed items. It will ask for your Administrator password. Enter it.

Your folder should be locked. It will show with a red dot and a minus sing in it right to the folder's icon.

If you try to open it a Window will show : The folder "your folder" could not be opened because you do not have sufficient access privileges.

To open your folder again, reverse the operation and renable read-write in the Info window. This is a dissuasive method that could stop a curious (non advised) leurker…
 
Just to add to this: be extremely careful which folders you do this to.

If, for example, you decided you didn't want anyone looking in your home folder, and you did this procedure on your home folder, then you would severely bork OS X's ability to log you in. If, for example, you did this to the System folder thinking that you're keeping everyone from messing around with the contents of the System folder, you would have then prevented OS X from booting properly, and it would be a severe hassle to get things back to normal.

I would only advise using this procedure on folders you, yourself created -- not any folders that are pre-existing on the system already.
 
Absolutely! this suggestion was to apply on and exclusively, your own created personnal folders!
magdan
 
Back
Top