How to prevent someone copying files from a Mac (better description inside).
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  1. #1
    DJTT Moderator bloke Karlos Santos's Avatar
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    Default How to prevent someone copying files from a Mac (better description inside).

    So here's the scenario.

    I have an MBP with just Traktor and iTunes (iTunes is optional). I lend this Mac to someone to DJ with using Traktor and an S2 or S4.

    Is it possible to allow the DJ to access the laptop (turn it on) and use Traktor but prevent them from sticking a Ext HDD or USB in a port and sucking my tracks from the Mac by either copying/drag'n'drop or exporting tracks from Traktor. There's no superdrive so burning isn't a problem.

    Can I protect my files like that? The Mac doesn't have to have a password login it just needs some way to stop anyone transferring files.

    Not sure that FileVault will be the solution unless I misunderstand.

    Thanks in advance peeps.

  2. #2
    Tech Guru deevey's Avatar
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    Turn on Filevault, everything in your home folder will be encrypted but will allow all other accounts normal use. Even other Administrators on the same machine cannot access the files.

    Other alternative is to set up an encrypted container with trucrypt and store your files there, although thats kinda overkill and means mounting the container each time you boot the computer.

  3. #3
    DJTT Moderator bloke Karlos Santos's Avatar
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    The problem is (if I misunderstand then let me know) is that I just have the one Traktor installation on the Mac and one Home Folder that will be accessed by me and others.

    I was hoping that there was a way to disable anything going out of the Mac. I don't want to prevent other accessing the files, I just don't want them to be taken/copied from the laptop in anyway.

    Basically I want a DJ to use my spare Mac to DJ with the playlists I make in Traktor but not be able to steal my music.

    A bit like a computer in a Uni or cyber-cafe that you cannot make any changes to the files, just access the applications. I guess the issue would be allowing the user access to use a controller.
    I might not have explained it very well.

  4. #4
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    Create a new user account for the other user and then won't be able to access your home folder. keep your files in your home folder, if they are on an alternate drive you'll need to change the permissions on that drive and ensure the second account is non-administrative so they can't change them back. of course don't share your password.

    file permissions can take care of this for you.

  5. #5
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    the problem you face is that you'd need some way to ensure any disk they stuck into your computer was read only.

    if they have read access to your files they'll be able to read your files. files are stolen when they can be written to some other disk.

  6. #6

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    If you lend your MBP to someone I think it would be some friend / someone you trust.
    Just tell him not to copy your files.

    And if the person doesn't need your tracks to DJ, simply "remove" your folder for that time. Or just create a new user account and install traktor again?

  7. #7
    Tech Guru deevey's Avatar
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    Possible solution is to disable the USB mass storage, networking, Wifi & bluetooth drivers on all non-admin accounts, (midi will still work) and the either manually enable the kext again your own account or create an applescript that runs on login to re-enable the ports / wifi when you need to add music.

    Then you just move the traktor music / playlists to a shared folder accessible to all.

    It would work, it's not foolproof though.

  8. #8
    DJTT Moderator bloke Karlos Santos's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by sheikyerbouti View Post
    If you lend your MBP to someone I think it would be some friend / someone you trust.
    Just tell him not to copy your files.

    And if the person doesn't need your tracks to DJ, simply "remove" your folder for that time. Or just create a new user account and install traktor again?
    You would think so but it ain't that simple. I'm just being careful.

    Quote Originally Posted by deevey View Post
    Possible solution is to disable the USB mass storage, networking, Wifi & bluetooth drivers on all non-admin accounts, (midi will still work) and the either manually enable the kext again your own account or create an applescript that runs on login to re-enable the ports / wifi when you need to add music.

    Then you just move the traktor music / playlists to a shared folder accessible to all.

    It would work, it's not foolproof though.
    This sounds more like what I want.
    What I can do is have 2 HDD's in the machine. One for me and one for 'Guest Users'. I could have 2 accounts on the Guest User HDD, one for me to access and add music/playlists and one that the guest logins into that has all the restrictions.
    Now how do I disable all that gubbins for the the guest user HDD? An AppleScript sounds good but...

    I guess there's more to this than I anticipated.

  9. #9
    Tech Guru deevey's Avatar
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    Actually you just solved it :P

    Ok for these purposes -

    1st - Install OSX on the guest drive, create non-admin account as default and remove USB storage devices / network kexts
    2nd - Swap the existing primary and guest drives physically so the "guest" install boots first (idiot proofiing)
    3rd - specify in the Guest install your itunes folder on the primary drive.

    Press Alt during boot do get into your "real" install, any changes to traktor / itunes there should be ported straight across to the guest install (you might have to copy the library xml manually though to the guest home folder)

    For this to work you also need to remove the recovery partitions.

    Heres the problem though, they could still plug a hard disk containing osx into the usb pre-boot and run their own copy of osx from there to access the files.

    *edit* this should work to prevent booting via external disks http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1352?v...S&locale=en_US

    Oh and I'd set up your second drive (with the admin install) with an OS and Music partition separate for backup purposes.
    Last edited by deevey; 08-06-2014 at 12:04 PM.

  10. #10
    DJTT Moderator bloke Karlos Santos's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by deevey View Post
    Actually you just solved it :P

    Ok for these purposes -

    1st - Install OSX on the guest drive, create non-admin account as default and remove USB storage devices / network kexts
    2nd - Swap the existing primary and guest drives physically so the "guest" install boots first (idiot proofiing)
    3rd - specify in the Guest install your itunes folder on the primary drive.

    Press Alt during boot do get into your "real" install, any changes to traktor / itunes there should be ported straight across to the guest install (you might have to copy the library xml manually though to the guest home folder)

    For this to work you also need to remove the recovery partitions.

    Heres the problem though, they could still plug a hard disk containing osx into the usb pre-boot and run their own copy of osx from there to access the files.

    *edit* this should work to prevent booting via external disks http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1352?v...S&locale=en_US

    Oh and I'd set up your second drive (with the admin install) with an OS and Music partition separate for backup purposes.
    Wow lots to take in. I might hit you up for more advice on this if that's ok dude but yeah this looks a goer.
    Shouldn't be an issue with someone booting from external as the people using it are not that savvy.

    Appreciated.

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