Scrivener projects (.scriv files) are packages of files. Why Can't I Add a Password to Individual Scrivener Projects? If all you want to do is make sure an inquisitive child does not log into your computer and destroy your novel, that might be all you need to do.

Of course, simply putting a password on your user account and setting your Mac to not automatically log you in is protection enough for most purposes. If you find it all a bit too complicated, there are programs you can buy which streamline this process for you. These can be easily created using Apple's Disk Utility software and its documentation. Any projects in Scrivener, your tax documents-anything that shouldn't be on your computer as readable bits should be in an encrypted vault (if one of the above protections are not used, that is).

Finally there is protected disk images, which can be created like little 'vaults' that you can store stuff in.

Again, the risk here is that if you forget your password or reset code then everything in your user folder is forever lost.

Protecting your account is the next safest, and of course this implies that you do not set your computer up to automatically boot up straight to your desktop without typing in any credentials.

This is by the far the safest setting, but also the most dangerous if you forget the password and global reset code. To even boot the computer it needs to be decrypted.

Protecting the computer will set the entire hard drive to be scrambled except for a few key bootstrap pieces at the very top of it (so that it can be turned on).

The best and easiest way to protect your work is to enable FileVault for your account, or your entire computer (introduced with 10.7). All Macs come with extensive built in mechanisms for protecting your work, there is no need for individual programs to do this.

Mac os password protect folder