Disabling The Guest Account in Mac OS X

Something that has always bugged me about Mac OS X is that when you connect to a remote computer you have the option of being a registered user or a guest. Anyone that is on your network can connect to your computer via guest access, though this only gives the user access to the drop box, they will stil be able to place files on your computer without your knowledge. Lucky for us, there is a way to disable the guest access but instead of clicking a box in system preferences you will have to edit a .plist file.

Step 1

First find com.apple.AppleFileServer.plist under

/Library/Prefrences

Hold down option and drag the file to your desktop. Then hold down option and dag the file to any folder of your choosing, this will be your backup so don't forget. The Documents folder would make a fine place.

Step 2

You will need to then download Property List Editor or you can install Developer Tools which comes with a .plist editor. Once you have installed either program double click on com.apple.AppleFileServer.plist. The Property List Editor will open the file.

Step 3

Now turn down the arrow Root in the Property List column.
When you find

guestAccess change the value from yes to no

Step 4

Save (cmd-S) your work on the file and Quit (cmd-Q)

Step 5

Hold down Option and drag com.apple.AppleFileServer.plist from the Desktop back into /Library/Preferences.

Once you have replaced the file you can trash the copies of com.apple.AppleFileServer.plist that are on your desktop and in your documents folder. Now just restart you computer or turn off and on Apple File Sharing under system prefrences:sharing and your done!

Like this Article? Digg it!

updated since orginal post