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PASSWORDS

Unknown Member
edited December 2017 in
Just installed Mac Essentials and so far not too impressed but how do you password protect your information?

Comments

  • Unknown Member
    edited July 2016
    The only way would be to password protect your login to your computer.  For some reason Intuit felt we didn't need to secure our info.
  • Unknown Member
    edited July 2016
    An indirect method is to create an encrypted sparse disk image containing your data file using Mac OS X Disk Utility.

    You essentially mount this disk image, point QEM to load the data file in the disk image.  You would have to unmount this disk image every time you finish using QEM.

    Every subsequent time you launch QEM, Mac OS X will attempt to mount the disk image so that QEM can load the data file in it, prompting you to enter your encryption password.

    Directions:

    1. Make a new folder on your Desktop and name it.  We'll call this folder "Quicken Essentials"
    2. Copy your QEM data file (found in your Documents folder) to this newly created folder.
    3. Launch Mac OS X Disk Utility
    4. Select File -> New -> Disk Image from Folder
    5. Select your newly created "Quicken Essentials" folder
    6. Name your disk image, along with the read/write setting and encryption of your choice
    7. You'll be prompted for the encryption password of your choice
    8. Disk image will be created.  Double-click to mount it and launch QEM.
    9. Open the data file in your mounted disk image in QEM.
    10. Quit QEM and unmount your disk image.

    The next time you launch QEM, you should be prompted for your encryption password.  Just remember to unmount your disk image after using QEM or else the encryption is useless.
  • Unknown Member
    edited August 2016
    An indirect method is to create an encrypted sparse disk image containing your data file using Mac OS X Disk Utility.
  • Unknown Member
    edited July 2016
    tombla said:

    An indirect method is to create an encrypted sparse disk image containing your data file using Mac OS X Disk Utility.

    Hey mdhwoods.  R u serious?  No password protection?  That's a joke, right?  If not, this puppy may go right back for a refund.  I've used sparseimages before, and they work, but a financial software without password protection?  That's outrageous!  What else isn't in this new software?
  • Unknown Member
    edited July 2016
    tombla said:

    An indirect method is to create an encrypted sparse disk image containing your data file using Mac OS X Disk Utility.

    thanks, ube but a couple of follow-up questions:

    1.  once i've copied the Quicken data file from my "Documents"  into the folder (& then put the folder on the encrypted disk image as you direct) do i need to go back and also delete the Quicken data file from the original place i copied it (i.e. Documents folder)?

    2. do you know, if i am backing up my Mac automatically using TIme Capsule, does the Quicken data on the encrypted disk image back up even if the disk image isn't mounted?  I have it automatically set to back up every hour, but obv i won't keep the encrypted disk mounted when i'm not using it...?
  • Unknown Member
    edited July 2016
    tombla said:

    An indirect method is to create an encrypted sparse disk image containing your data file using Mac OS X Disk Utility.

    Very serious, as of right now there is no out of the box password protection.  You can do as ube suggested but for most people that is over their head.
  • Unknown Member
    edited August 2016
    hi kbagel,

    1. You can delete the original Quicken data file in the Documents folder once you've verified that the data file in the encrypted disk image is loading properly.  I would just move the data file to a backup location and then delete it once I know that QEM isn't loading from that file.

    2. Time Machine will just backup your encrypted disk image (it's just a file).  It does not have to be mounted.  You have to remember to unmount your disk image every time you're done with QEM or else the disk image will not be updated.

    I've been using this method for the past year (with Q2006) as I place my encrypted disk image in an online storage company called Dropbox.  It's a good method to be able to use Quicken across multiple computers.
  • Unknown Member
    edited July 2016

    hi kbagel,

    1. You can delete the original Quicken data file in the Documents folder once you've verified that the data file in the encrypted disk image is loading properly.  I would just move the data file to a backup location and then delete it once I know that QEM isn't loading from that file.

    2. Time Machine will just backup your encrypted disk image (it's just a file).  It does not have to be mounted.  You have to remember to unmount your disk image every time you're done with QEM or else the disk image will not be updated.

    I've been using this method for the past year (with Q2006) as I place my encrypted disk image in an online storage company called Dropbox.  It's a good method to be able to use Quicken across multiple computers.

    ube, u've been extremely helpful.  Can't thank you enough for your quick, clear, thorough responses.
  • Unknown Member
    edited December 2017
    hi kbagel,

    i'm sorry but i think i may have inadvertently given you directions on how to make a disk image... not a sparse disk image (it has been awhile).

    a regular disk image does not go through compression/expansion but takes as much disk space as the disk size that it represents.  (e.g. 5 MB Quicken data file, 40 MB disk space - takes 40 MB disk space regardless of files it contains)

    a sparse disk image goes through dynamic compression/expansion so it can save you disk space.  however, it has a maximum disk size that you specify but can be resized later if needed.  (e.g. 5 MB Quicken data file, 40 MB disk space - takes only 5 MB real disk space)  if you like to make a sparse disk image, here's how:

    1.  Launch Mac OS X Disk Utility
    2.  Select File -> New -> Blank Disk Image
    3.  Name your file and disk (can be the same name for both)
    4.  Select Size 40MB (this should be plenty), Mac OS X Extended (Journaled), Encryption of your choice, Single Partition GUID Partition Map, and sparse disk image.
    5.  The sparse disk image is then created.  You may mount it, place your Quicken data file in it, launch QEM, and open your data file from the mounted disk image.
    6.  Remember to unmount your disk image after quitting QEM.

    hope this helps. sorry for the confusion...
  • Unknown Member
    edited July 2016

    hi kbagel,

    i'm sorry but i think i may have inadvertently given you directions on how to make a disk image... not a sparse disk image (it has been awhile).

    a regular disk image does not go through compression/expansion but takes as much disk space as the disk size that it represents.  (e.g. 5 MB Quicken data file, 40 MB disk space - takes 40 MB disk space regardless of files it contains)

    a sparse disk image goes through dynamic compression/expansion so it can save you disk space.  however, it has a maximum disk size that you specify but can be resized later if needed.  (e.g. 5 MB Quicken data file, 40 MB disk space - takes only 5 MB real disk space)  if you like to make a sparse disk image, here's how:

    1.  Launch Mac OS X Disk Utility
    2.  Select File -> New -> Blank Disk Image
    3.  Name your file and disk (can be the same name for both)
    4.  Select Size 40MB (this should be plenty), Mac OS X Extended (Journaled), Encryption of your choice, Single Partition GUID Partition Map, and sparse disk image.
    5.  The sparse disk image is then created.  You may mount it, place your Quicken data file in it, launch QEM, and open your data file from the mounted disk image.
    6.  Remember to unmount your disk image after quitting QEM.

    hope this helps. sorry for the confusion...

    Why does INTUIT have passwords to access their system  and not set up protection for our finances?  This is ludicrous!!  Is there any way they can be convinced to fix this major Faux Pa?
  • Unknown Member
    edited July 2016

    hi kbagel,

    i'm sorry but i think i may have inadvertently given you directions on how to make a disk image... not a sparse disk image (it has been awhile).

    a regular disk image does not go through compression/expansion but takes as much disk space as the disk size that it represents.  (e.g. 5 MB Quicken data file, 40 MB disk space - takes 40 MB disk space regardless of files it contains)

    a sparse disk image goes through dynamic compression/expansion so it can save you disk space.  however, it has a maximum disk size that you specify but can be resized later if needed.  (e.g. 5 MB Quicken data file, 40 MB disk space - takes only 5 MB real disk space)  if you like to make a sparse disk image, here's how:

    1.  Launch Mac OS X Disk Utility
    2.  Select File -> New -> Blank Disk Image
    3.  Name your file and disk (can be the same name for both)
    4.  Select Size 40MB (this should be plenty), Mac OS X Extended (Journaled), Encryption of your choice, Single Partition GUID Partition Map, and sparse disk image.
    5.  The sparse disk image is then created.  You may mount it, place your Quicken data file in it, launch QEM, and open your data file from the mounted disk image.
    6.  Remember to unmount your disk image after quitting QEM.

    hope this helps. sorry for the confusion...

    i can't believe there's no password protection. this seems like a HUGE oversight. i'm not impressed with the new features. if i can find another software option, i'm returning the box.
  • Unknown Member
    edited July 2016

    hi kbagel,

    i'm sorry but i think i may have inadvertently given you directions on how to make a disk image... not a sparse disk image (it has been awhile).

    a regular disk image does not go through compression/expansion but takes as much disk space as the disk size that it represents.  (e.g. 5 MB Quicken data file, 40 MB disk space - takes 40 MB disk space regardless of files it contains)

    a sparse disk image goes through dynamic compression/expansion so it can save you disk space.  however, it has a maximum disk size that you specify but can be resized later if needed.  (e.g. 5 MB Quicken data file, 40 MB disk space - takes only 5 MB real disk space)  if you like to make a sparse disk image, here's how:

    1.  Launch Mac OS X Disk Utility
    2.  Select File -> New -> Blank Disk Image
    3.  Name your file and disk (can be the same name for both)
    4.  Select Size 40MB (this should be plenty), Mac OS X Extended (Journaled), Encryption of your choice, Single Partition GUID Partition Map, and sparse disk image.
    5.  The sparse disk image is then created.  You may mount it, place your Quicken data file in it, launch QEM, and open your data file from the mounted disk image.
    6.  Remember to unmount your disk image after quitting QEM.

    hope this helps. sorry for the confusion...

    Intuit's Quicken products have always been of mediocre quality in many respects.  This is another exemple that baffles the brain.  They do not have any real competitor, so ...
  • Unknown Member
    edited August 2016
    Unfortunately, the incomprehensible omission of a password protection feature from QEM is not easily remedied by the encrypted sparse disk image drill. Among other things, after creating the encrypted sparse disk image, closing QEM and dismounting the disk image, if you reopen QEM and click "cancel" on the log-in dialogue box, it will pop up again. If you click "cancel" again you can then gain access to QEM WITHOUT THE PASSWORD.

    In addition, you can also get into QEM without the encrypted sparse disk image password by simply opening the data file in Finder. Quicken tech support has informed me that the program will not function (with your data) if you delete the quickendata file in Finder.

    This cannot have been an oversight. It must have been a deliberate decision. Pass your frustration along to Quicken using this link:

    http://knowledgebase.quicken.com/support/feedback/

    You can also write CEO Brad Smith at the following address (I did):

    Mr. Brad Smith
    President and CEO
    Intuit, Inc.
    2632 Marine Way
    Mountain View, CA 94043
  • Unknown Member
    edited July 2016

    Unfortunately, the incomprehensible omission of a password protection feature from QEM is not easily remedied by the encrypted sparse disk image drill. Among other things, after creating the encrypted sparse disk image, closing QEM and dismounting the disk image, if you reopen QEM and click "cancel" on the log-in dialogue box, it will pop up again. If you click "cancel" again you can then gain access to QEM WITHOUT THE PASSWORD.

    In addition, you can also get into QEM without the encrypted sparse disk image password by simply opening the data file in Finder. Quicken tech support has informed me that the program will not function (with your data) if you delete the quickendata file in Finder.

    This cannot have been an oversight. It must have been a deliberate decision. Pass your frustration along to Quicken using this link:

    http://knowledgebase.quicken.com/support/feedback/

    You can also write CEO Brad Smith at the following address (I did):

    Mr. Brad Smith
    President and CEO
    Intuit, Inc.
    2632 Marine Way
    Mountain View, CA 94043

    I am in SHOCK this doesn't password protect- that's absurd!
  • Unknown Member
    edited July 2016

    Unfortunately, the incomprehensible omission of a password protection feature from QEM is not easily remedied by the encrypted sparse disk image drill. Among other things, after creating the encrypted sparse disk image, closing QEM and dismounting the disk image, if you reopen QEM and click "cancel" on the log-in dialogue box, it will pop up again. If you click "cancel" again you can then gain access to QEM WITHOUT THE PASSWORD.

    In addition, you can also get into QEM without the encrypted sparse disk image password by simply opening the data file in Finder. Quicken tech support has informed me that the program will not function (with your data) if you delete the quickendata file in Finder.

    This cannot have been an oversight. It must have been a deliberate decision. Pass your frustration along to Quicken using this link:

    http://knowledgebase.quicken.com/support/feedback/

    You can also write CEO Brad Smith at the following address (I did):

    Mr. Brad Smith
    President and CEO
    Intuit, Inc.
    2632 Marine Way
    Mountain View, CA 94043

    add me to the list of users who are dismayed and disappointed with the new version. The lack of a password is a pathetic. What were the developers thinking?
  • Unknown Member
    edited July 2016

    Unfortunately, the incomprehensible omission of a password protection feature from QEM is not easily remedied by the encrypted sparse disk image drill. Among other things, after creating the encrypted sparse disk image, closing QEM and dismounting the disk image, if you reopen QEM and click "cancel" on the log-in dialogue box, it will pop up again. If you click "cancel" again you can then gain access to QEM WITHOUT THE PASSWORD.

    In addition, you can also get into QEM without the encrypted sparse disk image password by simply opening the data file in Finder. Quicken tech support has informed me that the program will not function (with your data) if you delete the quickendata file in Finder.

    This cannot have been an oversight. It must have been a deliberate decision. Pass your frustration along to Quicken using this link:

    http://knowledgebase.quicken.com/support/feedback/

    You can also write CEO Brad Smith at the following address (I did):

    Mr. Brad Smith
    President and CEO
    Intuit, Inc.
    2632 Marine Way
    Mountain View, CA 94043

    >In addition, you can also get into QEM without the encrypted sparse disk image password by simply opening the data file in Finder. Quicken tech support has informed me that the program will not function (with your data) if you delete the quickendata file in Finder.

    bollard, this is not true.  You can put the data file anywhere.

    Have a nice day.
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