Abstract: A virtual local file system for managing file access, such as read, write and execute, of files on local media is disclosed. An access manager, executable by the host operating system, is stored on each host device. The access manager interacts with the local file system to control file access permissions and how processes of the host operating system execute, view or modify files accessible to the local file system. The access manager may also dynamically control file access to files on the host operating system using a file attributes repository, which may be stored locally or remotely from the host device. Exemplary attributes for defining permission to access a file include but not are limited to, specific users, a time of day, a number of copies of a file, an allowed process, an IP address range, and a MAC address.