How to hide or P/W protect an external hd from a user account.

[PlentyOfPubeGardens]

I need to make DD an account on my computer and I don't want her nosing through my stuff, which is all on an external drive. Could anybody tell me how I could hide or password protect the drive (I'm on Vista)?

I had a look at properties> security but it all looks really scary.

The simplest answer would be to hide the disk.

Otherwise, create an account for your DD which is not an administrator then right click on the folder you want to protect. In security, just put your account in there and make sure your DD's account is not.

Make sure you change your own password to something unguessable. You'd be surprised how often kids can guess their parents password or just look at your slow fingers typing and read it.

OK, how do I hide the disk? That would be my preferred option.

I can't see my account in security, it just says 'everybody'.

bump.

Anybody?

As it is an external, best to use the 'Safely remove external drive' option (sorry, been in hospital so no PC handy for exact words, but see Hecate's HELP!!! thread about removing her USB stick. Then lock up the drive.

External drives are great for backup, as are sticks, but one day they may fail, so what backup measures do you use if your only copy is on an external hard drive or USB stick?

PS lock up the drive in my other post means unplug from PC and put it into a lockable cupboard, store room, (dry) shed, or even in a Tupperware box in the attic (but not if it will reach zero in winter) so drive cannot be 'examined' at all!! Otherwise DD only needs to borrow a linux notebook from a school friend and she may get access to/copy any/all files...

I might be wrong but I don't think that you can hide an external disk.

There is software out there that will allow you to encrypt a folder. Each time you log on you will need to enter a password. I know of such software but I don't know details.

Alternatively, I have a £50 500gb external hard disk the size of a pack of cards from Amazon. I use it to hold my video collection so when I travel I can simply plug it into a hotel tv or the laptop.

Why not use one as your primary data disk and simply unplug it and put it away when you aren't using it? If 500gb is overkill then 32gb memory sticks can be had for £23. Get a pair so you can have a backup.

Sorry yes, by hide i meant unplug it and put it somewhere safe.

You can't access a disk if it's not plugged in!

But completely agree with NetworkGuy's point about backing up and it's something I do religiously and preach regularly about to everyone who will listen.

Otherwise you are looking at sophisticated solutions like Truecrypt which to be honest are not solutions I would recommend to amateurs.

32 GB Memory sticks can be found below 12 pounds now...

32gb for less than £12? Care to share your source?

I was probably guided by the various deals highlighted on HotUKdeals.com or Memorybits.(com / co.uk ?) or MyMemory.....

Sorry, not long out of hospital and not at home to be 100% sure of correct website addresses.

Haha ok, sounds like it can't be done. You'd think it would be possible to set up a computer with different logins being able to see different drives. I don't want to unplug it and move it - it's taken me ages sorting the desk out and I have no trailing wires. It's kind of plumbed in.

I should probably say that she's not a child, she's 20, and there's nothing dodgy on the drive, just personal journal stuff, first drafts of poetry etc. I doubt very much she'd go to any extra effort to gain access but if it's there she might idly browse if she was bored.

Everything of importance is regularly backed up, thanks .