If you share a computer with someone, or your office computer is accessible to prying eyes and you want to hide a file or folder of private documents, it’s quite easy to do without the need to download any software.
Let’s say you want to hide a folder in your Documents folder called “MyStuff.” You can do it simply by launching the Terminal (found in your Utilities folder inside Applications) and typing the following:
chflags hidden ~/Documents/MyStuff
Once your MyStuff folder is hidden, it will not appear in the Finder, but it will still be accessible via the Finder’s Go>Go to Folder (Command + Shift + G) and typing in the path to the folder.
To unhide your MyStuff folder, simply type the following:
chflags nohidden ~/Documents/MyStuff
If using the Terminal isn’t your thing, you can download Hideaway, which does the same thing, only you just click a few buttons instead of typing code into the Terminal.
If you want to hide some files on your Mac from curious eyes, then there is a solution available – UberMask. It allows to hide/show files with a single keystroke. Available here: http://www.novamedia.de/en/mac-ubermask.html
I’m sorry, but charging $10 for what numerous apps throw in as a side feature is truly sad.
To be perfectly honest, I just use Hideaway – but it’s a bit less secure because if someone sees an app called “Hideaway” they’re probably going to be curious. Then the cat is outta the bag!
hey that’s pretty cool, I haven’t seen this method before.
Nice tip!