Is there a way to password protect Time Machine backups without encryption?

[Sal Collaziano]

Hey all. I have Time Machine setup so myself and family can backup our computers but we occasionally have people stay over and there's no need for them to be able to access any of that. Is there a way to set password protection on Time Machine? I don't need to encrypt anything I just want to keep unauthorized people from downloading our backups.

XenForo works well at showing similar discussions but I didn't find it during my search:
https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...p-without-encrypting-the-whole-drive.1905343/

I guess my only option is to encrypt...

 

[velocityg4]

If this is a network backup. Setup a guest network. Most routers have that option. That will keep them from being able to access local network devices.

If this is a computer you let guests use and you are worried about casual access. Setup an account managed by Parental Controls. Then you can manage the settings and turn on Simple Finder. I believe Guest Account will do the same. The guest account is very limited.

According to Apple. Simple Finder only shows My Applications, Documents and Shared folders.
https://support.apple.com/kb/PH25339?locale=en_US&viewlocale=en_US

Someone determined may still be able to get at it. If they are that determined. Only encryption would stop them.

You can also try changing permissions to the backup drive. So that only the System and administrators can read/write.

You can make the external drive hidden using Terminal. Just drag the drive rather than the file. This will stop casual snooping.
http://osxdaily.com/2012/07/19/hide-file-mac-os-x-chflags/

 

[Sal Collaziano]

If this is a network backup. Setup a guest network. Most routers have that option. That will keep them from being able to access local network devices.

Yes, this is a network backup. Thank you for the advice. I just went ahead and did that.

 

[velocityg4]

You're Welcome.