Disk Utility To Password Protect Burned CD Problem

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Hello All!
I am using Disk Utility to try to create a password protected data CD on my MacBook Pro using 10.6.8.
The problem I have is that the CD I burn does not need a password to view its contents. (Even though the dmg does need a password)

The original folder is inside a sparseimage with password protection. The password is not saved in my keychain

Here's how I tried it:

Using Disk Utility-
File
New
Blank Disk Image
Named the image & chose a size
Chose 128 Bit Encryption
Selected "Sparse Disk Image" from the pop up
Entered the password
Un-checked "Save password in my keychain"


This created an empty disk image (dmg) which is nicely password protected.
I dragged the original folder to the image

Next, I burned the image to a disk.

Upon testing, I did not need a password to see the contents of the CD. I tired it on another computer with the same results.

Plan B-
I dragged a copy of the original to the desktop and worked from that copy.
Next, using Disk Utility, instead of File-New Blank~ I chose New From Folder
I got the same results.

Plan C:
Start with an image that's not encrypted sparseimage (a normal folder) and make a blank dmg with password protection.
Then I added the folder & burned it. A password is still not required to view the CD files.

Here's What Is Odd...
The disk image file (dmg) is, indeed, password protected. I must enter a password to view its contents.
As soon as I burn it, encryption is lost on the CD (but not the original on the hard drive).

Like usual, I searched all over the internet. I tried all of the variations I found. Mostly they indicated to make the CD from a non-encrypted DMG and encrypt as burned. Nothing I tired worked.

What do you all suppose I am doing wrong when I burn the image that it loses its protection? (Other than using 10.6.8, but I am stuck with that OS for now)

Thanks Very Much for helping!
Paul
 
M

MacInWin

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When you insert the disk into your reader and it mounts, does Finder show the .dmg file or the files that were inside the .dmg? I ask because what may be happening is that in burning the .dmg to a CD your are in fact extracting the files from the .dmg to create the image on the CD instead of just copying the .dmg to the drive as a file. If you are burning the .dmg as a file, it should retain the password protection as that is a part of the .dmg, but if you are extracting the files from the .dmg, they aren't protected.
 
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PGB1
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Thank You for replying with the great suggestion. It worked like a charm!

I had been going through Disk Utility and choosing the dmg to burn.
Just as you suspected, Finder showed only the files & folders within the disk image- not the dmg. Nothing was protected, despite my selections in Disk Utility.

When I right-clicked the dmg and chose "Burn", as opposed to choosing it from within Disk Utility, the CD showed the dmg and the files inside are protected.

Thanks for bailing me out on this conundrum. I appreciate your help & sharing of knowledge.

Paul
PS: On the 'plus' side of the failures, I now have a bunch more CDs to cut up and use as shims. Just about very cabinet, window and door in my house has "Shiny Shims" holding them square & plumb.
 
M

MacInWin

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Good! I need to make some "shiny shims" to use around here. Thanks for the tip!
 
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OP
PGB1
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Those guys in the video sure have a fun job. Me? I'd wear a face shield & leather covering.

None have shattered on me yet, but thanks for putting it in our minds. You never know, right?

I often cut my "Data Shims" with tin snips or heavy scissors. They score-and-snap OK, but with some bending back & forth. (Oddly the edges aren't sharp when snapped.) Nails & screws go through easily- maybe because they are soft? I suppose they'd saw cut, too. And, I suppose that would smell awful. (Toxic fumes?)

When using these "AOL Shims", as when using any tool, people should always wear proper protection.
Real ANSI eye protection is critical. (Not your daily glasses. They can shatter when hit, wire frames bend & poke stuff out & they don't have side shields.) Bystanders must be protected as well. No kids, no pets.

Please pardon my Mister-Know-It-All safety treatise. I work with live power for a living & machine tools for fun. At my job, I had the responsibility of keeping all my guys safe, as well as myself, so I tend to get a bit "preachy" about safety. I haven't yet found any benefit to getting injured (other than the lollypop they give you when you get stitches).

Enjoy Today!
Paul
 

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