The root user is invisible, I think. Of course, root has a lot of power, so that might not be your intention. Otherwise, I'd say your answer lies in NetInfo manager. I'm inclined to say that it's definitely possible, since I have several invisible users on my machine, set up for things like mysql, etc. I'm not sure if they can log in, and as far as I know they don't have user folders.
But NetInfo Manager can do what you need to do. You might want to familiarize yourself with it.
Yes, if you set the user's UID to anything under 500, the user won't appear on the log-in screen. You can still see their home folder, though, so if you really don't want anyone to know they're there, you might also want to create a new hidden directory somewhere (any directory whose name starts with "." is hidden) and make that the invisible user's new home folder. One good place to do that is somewhere in the already-hidden UNIX directories, like /usr or /private or /etc.
Check out this Hint and the associated comments for more details.
People won't be able to see your files even if your user id is visible, unless they have root privileges (sudo). If you turn on File-Vault, you should be pretty ok.
If someone else has root permissions, you can't safe guard your data.
if I make a user invisible, sure, people on the computer or network wont see it, but I'm thinking that if someone were to physically take out my HD and scan it, they could eventually find the invisible user and all associated files. If I make a user invisible AND FileVaulted, they would probably see jibberish on a UNIX and PC and only find a 128bit encrypted image if using a Mac
Comments
But NetInfo Manager can do what you need to do. You might want to familiarize yourself with it.
Check out this Hint and the associated comments for more details.
Was thinking of making a user with that File Vault turned on, hidden, etc. I'm feeling paranoid lately.
Must be the crapy weather thats starting here
Originally posted by ZO
Thanks guys.
Was thinking of making a user with that File Vault turned on, hidden, etc. I'm feeling paranoid lately.
Must be the crapy weather thats starting here
just because you are paranoid doesn't mean you are not being
followed, hear that?
If someone else has root permissions, you can't safe guard your data.
Originally posted by ZO
Thanks guys.
Was thinking of making a user with that File Vault turned on, hidden, etc. I'm feeling paranoid lately.
Must be the crapy weather thats starting here
you're not paranoid if they really are out to get you!
Or am I too optimistic?
So in the end, with help of the http://www.bombich.com website and gatorparrots tip i came to the following construction (actually on Tiger..)
--> user folder to other place (Terminal):
sudo ditto -rsrcFork /Users/SecretUser /private/var/.SecretUser
sudo niutil -createprop / /users/secretuser home /private/var/.SecretUser
--> gif SecretUser uid 499, so it will be invisible to the finder (Terminal):
sudo niutil -createprop . /users/secretuser uid 499
sudo chown -R 499 /private/var/.SecretUser
--> Testing transport of user:
log in by going to the login window
- arrow down
- hit "option-return" en log in
--> if it all works remove the old SecretUser folder (Terminal):
sudo rm -rf /Users/SecretUser
This all works great for me!
Good luck!