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Question Profile
| DATE | Apr 1, 2008 |
| TICKET | #336869 |
| STATUS | Closed |
| SUBJECT | Family breaking in to stop downloads... |
| CAT | Computers, Operating Systems, Applications or Connected Devices |
| TYPE | Software Applications |
| DESC | Antivirus, Security, Utilities |
| DESC | |
| PLATFORM | Apple Macintosh (PowerPC G3,G4,G5) |
| MODEL | Apple |
| PROC | 400 MHz |
| RAM | 832MB |
| DRIVE | 74.5 |
| NAME | Sameer |
| USERNAME | KOATV |
| TECHNICAL | Little Experience |
| ISSUE | Just Started Looking |
Question Details
TICKET ARCHIVE -> Family breaking in to stop downloads...
KOATV - Apr 1, 2008 - 9:34 am
Hello!
I have a problem. I'm really in to downloading movies off the net (don't worry, it's not about that) but the problem is that my wife breaks into the computer just to stop any torrent expansions or encoding (which kills discs for me). This is something which could be VERY dangerous later on if I decide to open a business.
I wanted to know whether there were any programs I could install which would require passwords to be entered when attempting to access any folders or programs that are specified by me? I want my operating system etc. to remain as is... my only concern would be those specific programs & files.
This is becoming a REAL source of irritation to me, and aside from going ballistic or continuing the trend of being the "good husband" and holding it in to the point where I end up having a stroke... I REALLY hope you can help me out with this.
Thanks
I have a problem. I'm really in to downloading movies off the net (don't worry, it's not about that) but the problem is that my wife breaks into the computer just to stop any torrent expansions or encoding (which kills discs for me). This is something which could be VERY dangerous later on if I decide to open a business.
I wanted to know whether there were any programs I could install which would require passwords to be entered when attempting to access any folders or programs that are specified by me? I want my operating system etc. to remain as is... my only concern would be those specific programs & files.
This is becoming a REAL source of irritation to me, and aside from going ballistic or continuing the trend of being the "good husband" and holding it in to the point where I end up having a stroke... I REALLY hope you can help me out with this.
Thanks
Stuartpau - Apr 1, 2008 - 1:28 pm
Hi there is one way I can think of doing what you require here, without using any special security software.
Go to Security in the System preferences and enter in a password for Filevault.
Select the button that says (Require Password to wake from Screen saver or Sleep).
When you have done that, go to the Screen saver and set it up how you want it, and set up a hot corner (A corner where you can immediately activate the Screen saver) and then set up your downloads to begin.
Once the Downloads have started, put your mouse cursor in the Hot corner. This will activate the screen saver ( I would choose the simplest screen saver there is). Then if you move the Mouse from out of the corner, you should see a dialog box, requesting your password before allowing access to the computer period.
Also Filevault will also allow you to password protect anything that is kept in your home folder and it will allow you to encrypt other files on your computer preventing unauthorized access.
Let me know how this works for you OK.
If it is insufficient, I will check out some of the other security software that is available, but these have a habit of altering you system, where FileVault is built in.
One word of caution, some applications, notable the older versions of Flash, would not launch into their full template modes, if Filevault was turned on. It should be OK nowadays, but some older versions of software may not function properly with FileVault turned on.
Filevault is very Powerful and it also allows you to set a Master Password for the entire computer, which enables all sorts of Security possibilities. But whatever you do, never ever lose, forget or otherwise this password as even Apple cannot repair it for you.
Stuart
Go to Security in the System preferences and enter in a password for Filevault.
Select the button that says (Require Password to wake from Screen saver or Sleep).
When you have done that, go to the Screen saver and set it up how you want it, and set up a hot corner (A corner where you can immediately activate the Screen saver) and then set up your downloads to begin.
Once the Downloads have started, put your mouse cursor in the Hot corner. This will activate the screen saver ( I would choose the simplest screen saver there is). Then if you move the Mouse from out of the corner, you should see a dialog box, requesting your password before allowing access to the computer period.
Also Filevault will also allow you to password protect anything that is kept in your home folder and it will allow you to encrypt other files on your computer preventing unauthorized access.
Let me know how this works for you OK.
If it is insufficient, I will check out some of the other security software that is available, but these have a habit of altering you system, where FileVault is built in.
One word of caution, some applications, notable the older versions of Flash, would not launch into their full template modes, if Filevault was turned on. It should be OK nowadays, but some older versions of software may not function properly with FileVault turned on.
Filevault is very Powerful and it also allows you to set a Master Password for the entire computer, which enables all sorts of Security possibilities. But whatever you do, never ever lose, forget or otherwise this password as even Apple cannot repair it for you.
Stuart
KOATV - Apr 1, 2008 - 2:12 pm
It's telling me that some 4086GB of space is needed & my hard drives are only 74 & 76GB respectively... this is why I needed a separate, individual program to allow passwords for only programs like my iVCD, Vuze & specific folders...
Are there any that can handle my needs?
Are there any that can handle my needs?
Stuartpau - Apr 1, 2008 - 10:43 pm
Off hand I am not aware of any specific applications that are available that would suit your specific purposes.
This does not mean they don't exist, just I don't know of them.
So what I will do, is respond to you with this message and repost your question to see if there is anyone here who is familiar with your problem.
I am afraid that you are going to find Drive space is probably going ot be a bit of an issue here for you, especially with Video files, no matter how they are encoded. Encryption and system protection are 2 different things.
You should be able to move the large items out of your Home folder so they do not force Filevault to use up so much space. Also you do not have to encrypt the entire Home folder, if it is just preventing someone from accessing your system during a download, then using Filevault should serve that purpose without having to use all that drive space.
Most of the major security applications that I have dealt with have been for corporate situations, and they do have a tendency to want to mess around with the actual OS, in order to achieve the protection you may be requiring.
IF no one responds, then drop me a line at stuarta@macosx.com, and I will see what i can come up with OK.
Stuart
This does not mean they don't exist, just I don't know of them.
So what I will do, is respond to you with this message and repost your question to see if there is anyone here who is familiar with your problem.
I am afraid that you are going to find Drive space is probably going ot be a bit of an issue here for you, especially with Video files, no matter how they are encoded. Encryption and system protection are 2 different things.
You should be able to move the large items out of your Home folder so they do not force Filevault to use up so much space. Also you do not have to encrypt the entire Home folder, if it is just preventing someone from accessing your system during a download, then using Filevault should serve that purpose without having to use all that drive space.
Most of the major security applications that I have dealt with have been for corporate situations, and they do have a tendency to want to mess around with the actual OS, in order to achieve the protection you may be requiring.
IF no one responds, then drop me a line at stuarta@macosx.com, and I will see what i can come up with OK.
Stuart
Serenak - Apr 2, 2008 - 7:42 pm
Hello Sameer
OK now let me be clear here - you want to stop people getting into your Mac/User Account and stopping/fiddling with downloads/encoding?
Unless I have seriously missed the point why do you not just have an account for you (Admin or otherwise) which is locked down and password protected (set the screen saver to require password etc.) and give everyone else either a shared non admin account or an account of their own that cannot fiddle with yours?
You don't say what OS you have or give me much else to go on here... If you are not Admin level and it is not actually "your" Mac I am not really aware of much you can do... if you are Admin and it is your Mac make use of the accounts and your rights to control other users "permissions"
Move "your" download and encoding applications into your personal Home/Applications folder where only you have access and control of them...
If i have totally missed the point please say so and I will think about it again with more info...
OK now let me be clear here - you want to stop people getting into your Mac/User Account and stopping/fiddling with downloads/encoding?
Unless I have seriously missed the point why do you not just have an account for you (Admin or otherwise) which is locked down and password protected (set the screen saver to require password etc.) and give everyone else either a shared non admin account or an account of their own that cannot fiddle with yours?
You don't say what OS you have or give me much else to go on here... If you are not Admin level and it is not actually "your" Mac I am not really aware of much you can do... if you are Admin and it is your Mac make use of the accounts and your rights to control other users "permissions"
Move "your" download and encoding applications into your personal Home/Applications folder where only you have access and control of them...
If i have totally missed the point please say so and I will think about it again with more info...
KOATV - Apr 2, 2008 - 9:49 pm
Yeah, I think that would do it...
KOATV - Apr 2, 2008 - 9:50 pm
The system is OSX version 10.4.11
KOATV - Apr 3, 2008 - 9:34 am
How would this whole thing with accounts work? I mean if this was set up... my family would be able to access and download attachments that they receive from the net right? Basically, what I'm looking for is this... everything runs as normal but if an unauthorized family member tries to open one of my programs such as vuze or ivcd, the computer asks for a password before being able to open it.
Serenak - Apr 3, 2008 - 6:21 pm
OK
It works like this - you have an account, preferably an Admin Account (but not necessarily) - and create some more accounts (either one for everyone else to share or one for each user) If you password each account no one should be able to get into any other user's account. Turn on the Fast User Switching and when you are leaving the Mac running use it to leave your account running but switched to the Login Screen so others can log in...
If you don't want anyone else to have access to your "special" Apps put them in your personal Home Folder Applications Folder then they are only accessible from inside your own account
Each account behaves as if that user has total control of the Mac (make the other user accounts Standard so they can't fiddle with important system settings) - they can set their own desktop background, have all their own preferences etc.
This is how the Mac is designed to work - so every user has their own "private' space,
I suggest reading the literature that came with your version of X or looking in the Help files for fuller information
It works like this - you have an account, preferably an Admin Account (but not necessarily) - and create some more accounts (either one for everyone else to share or one for each user) If you password each account no one should be able to get into any other user's account. Turn on the Fast User Switching and when you are leaving the Mac running use it to leave your account running but switched to the Login Screen so others can log in...
If you don't want anyone else to have access to your "special" Apps put them in your personal Home Folder Applications Folder then they are only accessible from inside your own account
Each account behaves as if that user has total control of the Mac (make the other user accounts Standard so they can't fiddle with important system settings) - they can set their own desktop background, have all their own preferences etc.
This is how the Mac is designed to work - so every user has their own "private' space,
I suggest reading the literature that came with your version of X or looking in the Help files for fuller information
KOATV - Apr 3, 2008 - 7:23 pm
Thanks!
- Apr 3, 2008 - 10:13 pm
I just figured everything out thanks for your help!
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