Security Question for OS 9.2 and OSX

[eyedo]

My iMac has 9.2 and Jaguar.

My concern is that if either-someone were to steal my desktop they could possibly use any old 9.2 CD or Norton to boot up to 9.2 and just swipe and download my files from 9.2 and OSX from there right ?

The upcoming war has me spooked as I'm sure others.What is something would
happen and people would have to leave their homes(I live downtown in a big city).

I'd be afraid my ID's or utility bills could be taken;ie identity fraud,,,in addition to my info on my computer.


For my paperwork,I have scanned and photographed much of it and shredded into confetti old utility bills and things with my Social security number.

I put alot of stuff in my safe deposit box as well.

Just called me a wimp,it's ok!
But since these issues never concerned me,they do now and I'd like to take
know what I'm doing just in case.
eyedo

 

[bobw]

Make a disk image to keep anything important in and Password protect that.
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From one of our members symphonix

- Open the Disk Copy program (in /Applications/Utilities)
- Select File -> New -> New Blank Image
- Select a CD-Rom mastering size (or go for 500mb for convenience). You might also make an image just the right size to hold the files you want to protect and allow a little room.
- Select AES-128 encryption
- You will be asked to enter a password or phrase, and verify it.
- You will now have a DMG file, that when you open it requires a password to be entered before it can mount.
- Open it, mount it, and put in whatever files you need.
- There is an option when entering the password to keep it on your Keychain. Do this if you want to, but remember that anyone who gains access to your Mac and unlocks its keychain may be able to access the files on the CD.

This encryption method won't keep out the NSA or any self-respecting intelligence agency or elite hacker, but it will protect your files against 99.99% of villains.
If you need harder encryption, I'd suggest looking at GnuPG, PGP, CryptoHeaven, etc ...