I was certain there was a thread here discussing ways to secure your data when taking your machine in for service, but I scoured this forum and couldn't locate it.

Applecare thinks my hard drive might be taking a dump, so phone support had me drop the machine off at the Apple store. When I arrived for my appointment, the tech wanted to run some tests (Applejack) at the counter. He asked for my password. I told him to use the guest account, as I was not comfortable giving them access to all my data. He said they must have access to the admin account if they are to service the machine and scoffed at the idea that anyone there would steal or snoop through my data.

I reluctantly gave him the password, but I regret it now. The machine will be there for a week, by his estimate, with countless people having access to it. What should I have done in this situation?

 

Probably the easiest method is to create an encrypted disk image and store all of your sensitive data in it. Use a password for the image other than your user password, and do not add the password to the keychain when you create it.

Here is an overview of the process.

Alternatively, you can keep all of your sensitive data on an external drive.

My preferred method, which is not for everyone, is to pull the hard drive whenever it goes in for service. Most Apple stores will throw a fit about this, however if you have repairs done at a VAR they will be generally more inclined to work with you. A good position to take if anyone gives you static for removing the drive is that your company policy does not allow storage media to leave the premises.

Of course, that precludes diagnosing issues that involve the hard drive, though generally when in doubt, I just replace them. They're comically cheap these days, even for a good Seagate unit.

 

This is what I do. I have a USB 2.0 external hard drive (a Buffalo, who are based in Austin even) set up in a mirrored RAID array, with separate, secure off-site back-up.

My desktop has nothing of note on it, so if it gets toasted, all I need to do is install software on the new one, and I'm done.

Are you really worried someone will watch your copy of the Janet Reno sex tape?

 

Thanks for that visual.