Can you password protect a folder Mac?

Answer 1

You can password-protect any directory (folder) on a Mac by creating a disk image (DMG) of it.

1. Open the Disk Utility from Applications > Utilities.
2. Then in the menu bar at the top of the screen, select File > New Image > Image from Folder. Alternatively, press Command+Shift+N. Choose the folder you want to protect from the navigator when prompted.
3. The DMG's name will default to be the same as the folder's name. You can change the name here if you wish. Select where you want to save your DMG.
4. Next, open the Encryption drop-down menu and choose an encryption method. I recommend 256-bit AES encryption if you are more concerned with security than with speed.
5. Now it is time to select your format and permissions.
6. If you want to compress and protect your folder, choose "compressed" from the Image Format drop-down menu. Anyone with the password will be able to expand (decompress) the contents, read them, and make changes.
7. If you want anyone with the password to be able only to read the contents but not to make changes, choose "read-only". The contents will not be compressed.
8. If you want anyone with the password to be able both to read the contents and to make changes, choose "read/write". The contents will not be compressed.
9. Click Save and, when the progress bar finishes, look for your DMG in the location you selected.
10. To test the protections, open (or double click) the DMG. Then go to your Desktop and open the virtual disk with the same name as your DMG.
11. After creating your protected DMG, the original folder will continue to exist, unprotected. If you wish only to have the protected copy, delete the original folder and empty your Trash.
12. Whenever you are finished using your protected folder (virtual disk) — e.g. you are done working with it for the day, and you want it to be password protected next time you need it — eject the virtual disk from your Desktop. You will need to open the DMG again when you go back to it. If you chose the "read/write" format, your changes will be reflected when you next open it.