Hidden user account e.g (.user)

Hi

I have tried searching but seem to be going round in circles. I have been working with macs for a few years but have never really used terminal. Someone new has started at work and they are very good with terminal. Today he has created a hidden account on my mac. I can see the account if I type "last" and see he logged in from his machine. I have enabled showing hidden files and can see the home folder but if i delete this it just comes back next time he logs in. How can I remove the .user account?

Can anyone recommend a good book to learn how to use terminal?

Thanks

Ian

Remove the account and password protect the Mac with a strong password. Problem solved.

I can not find the account in system prefs its not visible.

I did think I was safe I always have a password set. But today after going out on a job and coming back he just restarts my machine and resets the password. Then recreates any accounts I remove

You need to set a Firmware Password on that machine. Just make sure you do not forget that password! How to set a Firmware Password.

I would also be saying something to the boss about this. If he is that good with Terminal, and needs to create hidden accounts, then its a fair bet he is up to no good, or using it for something other than work. Be careful how you go about it, but it seems as this new worker can't be trusted, and maybe needs to find another job, and save the company from something embarrassing ??

Cheers

ian124 said:

Can anyone recommend a good book to learn how to use terminal?

Click to expand...

Not specifically but I have found a way to remove the user from the command line. It involves using the dscl tool.

Note: I've never tried this before so I can't vouch for its efficacy. In fact, this tool is new to me.

Execute the following to list all of the users on the machine: You should see the hidden user. Now, enter the following to delete it: As you've no doubt guessed, replace <the username> with the username. You will be asked for your password - enter it and hit return. You won't see your password as you type it but it is being registered.