[pendragon]

If one were to make a Disk Image (DMG) of a Word folder on a Mac, would a typical PC be able to then open that DMG folder?

Or, are most PCs just not able to open Mac made DMGs?

[angelmb]

MacDrive?

[pendragon]

Perhaps it will help if I provide some background:

I store some essential personal data/folders on DropBox. Because some of my data are "sensitive", the data I store on DropBox is encrypted with Disk Utility, e.g., made into an encrypted DMG.

If I later want that data, I can access it from any Mac that has an Internet connection.

I can also access that data from any PC. I just want to know what I can expect if I download my DropBox data on any PC.

FWIW, If PCs can't open a Mac made DMG, that is OK as I should always be able to find a Mac to use.

[angelmb]

So under OS X I did create a DMG file from a folder containing three pdf files. First encrypted and then with no protection at all. With MacDrive 8 I was able to open the unencrypted DMG file, albeit it took something like three double clicks to get it open. Behavior seems to be rather erratic, it might have to be with running it under VMware Fusion as opposed to Boot Camp, (no Boot Camp here). Anyhow, the encrypted DMG file… that was though, I was not able to open it no matter what. Double click and nothing happens, opening it from the MacDrive 'interface' <-- such a compliment, and nothing happens. If I get to the Windows contextual menu to apply some password protection to the DMG file, Windows says it is already protected and such an option -to add protection from the Windows side to the DMG file- might damage the file. So at least, it is safe to say, Windows does see the file as encrypted/protected.

Annoying.

Mac OS X 10.6.2.
VMware Fusion 3 running Windows XP SP3 32-bit.
MacDrive 8 free trial downloaded today.

[mduell]

DMG and the encryption scheme are Apple proprietary. There are a variety of third party utilities that most of work, sometimes. For Windows you've got Acute Systems TransMac, HFSExplorer, 7-Zip, UltraISO or IsoBuster per wikipedia.

[pendragon]

If I understand correctly (a big IF), and after reading the Wikipedia entry:
" In Windows most dmg images can be opened using several third party programs... but not encrypted dmgs."

Alas, I am still unsure one re one issue: Even though the encrypted DMGs can't be opened, can they still be mounted with a third party program, and thus all the PC user needs is the password to open the DMG?

[ghporter]

I think that since the encryption scheme itself is Apple-proprietary, that an encrypted DMG just won't work for a PC user. Better to use an encrypted/password protected Zip file for that. Perhaps you could enclose the protected Zip in a DMG...

[turtle777]

Originally Posted by pendragon 

Perhaps it will help if I provide some background:

I store some essential personal data/folders on DropBox. Because some of my data are "sensitive", the data I store on DropBox is encrypted with Disk Utility, e.g., made into an encrypted DMG.

If I later want that data, I can access it from any Mac that has an Internet connection.

I can also access that data from any PC. I just want to know what I can expect if I download my DropBox data on any PC.

FWIW, If PCs can't open a Mac made DMG, that is OK as I should always be able to find a Mac to use.

OMG, don't use DMG.

TrueCrypt - Free Open-Source On-The-Fly Disk Encryption Software for Windows 7/Vista/XP, Mac OS X and Linux FTW.

I've been using it with Dropbox for quite a while.

-t

[pendragon]

Turtle,
You caution not to use DMG, but to use TrueCrypt instead.

Why? Is the issue with DMG, Dropbox, or what?

Please, I do not intend to sound abrasive or confrontational, I just don't understand.

[turtle777]

Originally Posted by pendragon 

Turtle,
You caution not to use DMG, but to use TrueCrypt instead.

Why? Is the issue with DMG, Dropbox, or what?

Please, I do not intend to sound abrasive or confrontational, I just don't understand.

No caution; DMG with encryption doesn't work on PCs. Simple as that.

Other than that, TruCrypt is open source, cross-OS and portable (e.g installs directly on memory sticks).

-t

[pendragon]

Many thanks Turtle.

I especially like the "on the fly" encryption-