How to Encrypt Folders on Mac?
Written by Karolina Peistariene on
How to Prevent Unauthorized Access to Folders by Setting the Password on Mac Computers?
Probably every experienced computer user has heard about folder encryption with a password. In most cases, you need a third-party application to protect your data. The good news is that together with Mac OS X Mountain Lion, Apple released the feature that lets you create a new encrypted disk image through Finder.
This particular disk image will be accessible only with the password. This means whenever you or anyone else attempts to mount an encrypted disk image, a password will be required. Without entering the correct one, the content within will be unreachable.
Third-party applications sometimes can offer better functionality. However, since it's not s built-in software, there always is a chance of various glitches that may result in unreachable data. Due to this reason, it is recommended to use built-in features. This article will try to cover the most common methods to protect your private files from unauthorized access.
Video showing How to Encrypt Folders on Mac?
Table of Contents:
- Introduction
- Create encrypted folder via Disk Utility app
- Prevent files from modifying and deletion
- Video showing How to Encrypt Folders on Mac?
Create encrypted folder via Disk Utility app
You will create a disk image of a particular folder and all content stored within it following this method. Whenever you or anyone else attempt to mount this image, a password will be required. This way, all data stored within this disk image will be protected.
1. To begin with, launch the Disk Utility application via Spotlight by pressing the keyboards shortcut of Command and Spacebar, type in Disk Utility, and press return. Also, you may go to Applications, then Utility folder through Finder.
2. Once you've launched the Disk Utility application, click on File in the menu bar at the top of your screen and select New File.
3. In the further menu, select Image From Folder.
4. The new window will pop up asking you to select the desired Folder. Once you've selected the folder, click Choose and another window with available options.
5. The main two options would be the Encryption method and Image Format. 128-bit AES encryption (recommended) is the standard method, but if you're seeking maximum possible protection, you may choose 256-bit AES encryption. However, this method will take more time to complete the encryption process.
6. When you select the encryption method, you will be asked to enter the password twice.
Recommended image format would be read/written. With this format, you will manage the content stored within the disk image whenever you mount it. On the other hand, if the folder with all your data consumes a lot of space in storage, you may choose the compressed format, but bear in mind that this option denies all chances to manage content when creating process finishes
7. Once the creation process finishes, you will find the disk image file in the destination you've chosen while settings the preferences of the file. To open this file, you will be prompted to enter the password. It does not matter if the file is attempting to open on the same computer as it was created or separately.
Prevent files from modifying and deletion
This is a very easy and fast method to prevent your files from deleting them accidentally, for example, if kids are using the same Mac. Also, this is an excellent method to separate a few files with similar names from being confused and accidentally modified.
1. To begin with, locate your file or folder through Finder, select it, and right-click or hold down the Control key and select the Get info option from the menu.
2. In a newly popped-up window, locate the Locked option, enable the checkmark next to it, and close. From this point, Mac will display warning messages while attempting to modify files and prevent files from deletion under locked folder displaying an error message stating that you do not have permission to access some of the items.
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