There's not really a way to password protect a particular directory on Mac OS X. However, you can create an encrypted disk image using Disk Utility and store sensitive documents inside it. The protection is decent and Leopard will actually up the protection quite a bit, so it's something to look forward to.
An alternative is to buy a product, such as PGP, and create an encrypted disk image with it. It's basically the same solution, but provides enormous protection. I think Disk Utility's encrypted images are "good enough" for most uses and that PGP is really a bit overboard for most users.
The last good alternative I can think of is using FileVault. This will encrypt your entire home folder and decrypt it only when you log in, keeping all your data inaccessible from others. The thing to know is that FileVault simply does what I described first off, creating an encrypted disk image, but for your entire home directory.
Personally, I don't want to put all my data at risk if the image should become corrupted, so I don't fine FileVault to be much peace-of-mind. I prefer doing it manually as I first described.
An alternative is to buy a product, such as PGP, and create an encrypted disk image with it. It's basically the same solution, but provides enormous protection. I think Disk Utility's encrypted images are "good enough" for most uses and that PGP is really a bit overboard for most users.
The last good alternative I can think of is using FileVault. This will encrypt your entire home folder and decrypt it only when you log in, keeping all your data inaccessible from others. The thing to know is that FileVault simply does what I described first off, creating an encrypted disk image, but for your entire home directory.
Personally, I don't want to put all my data at risk if the image should become corrupted, so I don't fine FileVault to be much peace-of-mind. I prefer doing it manually as I first described.
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SF Bay Area
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