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Create a secret Apple Remote Desktop user System
This hint will allow you to create a ghost Apple Remote Desktop (ARD) user that is invisible to the system, but can still log in using the ARD ADMIN client. This is a simple hint, but the order of the steps are important.
  1. Create an admin account in the System Preferences -> Accounts panel.
  2. In System Preferences, go the Remote Desktop icon (in 10.3, you are directed to the Sharing preferences pane).
  3. Allow your newly created user to log in using Apple Remote Desktop. You can check/uncheck any of the options necessary.
  4. Open the Netinfo Manager, and go to Users, and then click on your newly created user (you will have to authenticate).
  5. Change the UID of that user to a number below 500.
VOILA! You should be able to log in using ARD, but that user will be 'secret' to anyone using the host computer (assuming they are not trying to find you -- because your home directory will still be visible, but if you name it something inconspicuous, the average user will not be suspicious). If you have Dev Tools installed, you can also hide the home directory of your newly created user (see Creating secret user accounts in 10.2).

P.S. I am sure there are numerous other ways to make your account hidden, but i choose the simplest one. Feel free to add to this.
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Create a secret Apple Remote Desktop user | 2 comments | Create New Account
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Beware of UID conflicts/overlap
Authored by: gatorparrots on Jan 26, '04 07:21:43PM
You should add one more step to the list:
* in order to prevent using an already assigned UID, execute this command in the terminal to get a list of all assigned UIDs:
nireport . /users uid


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Beware of UID conflicts/overlap
Authored by: saf001 on Mar 11, '04 11:05:55PM

actually any uid 500 or below. uid's 501 and above are visible. I think that this is a bug (500 should be a safe uid for a regular user).



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