Sometimes, you may share one computer with your friends or colleagues in daily life or in the office. Therefore, in this case, you probably need to learn about how to prevent your files and folders from unfortunately unexpectedly, or mistakenly being removed and overwritten.
One of the best ways to make sure the security of your files and folders on the computer is to back up your files to other storage devices via USB or cloud storage. However, if your device is a Mac, it is not so convenient to make a backup to an external storage device. Plus, it takes time in backing up all of your important files in large sizes.
In comparison, another brilliant method, encryption, is a better choice for you to help you protect your files, in particular, on Mac. Thus, this article is going to provide you with a comprehensive guide on how to encrypt files on Mac.
Method 1. How to Encrypt Files on Mac with One ClickMethod 2. How to Encrypt Files on Mac with Built-in FunctionConclusion
Method 1. How to Encrypt Files on Mac with One Click
The easiest way for you to encrypt files on Mac is to try on a reliable third-party app. Here, FoneDog PowerMyMac is recommended.
To begin with, FoneDog PowerMyMac is a powerful and comprehensive tool for Mac, which contains all the functions you may use and need, like status checking, file cleaning, zipped file decompression, and file encryption.
What is more, the Cleaner module in PowerMyMac is a breakthrough in the apps for Mac cleaning. That is because it is designed to provide its users with selective scanning of their files and folders on Mac before cleaning while other tools of Mac cleaning are set to scan all the files on Mac first. In this way, the total time for PowerMyMac to clean could be shorter than any other tool.
Last but not least, PowerMyMac is a toolbox for Mac users as well. In its ToolKit module, it provides eight useful functions and mini tools: Uninstaller, Maintenance, Privacy, NTFS, Filemanager, Hide, Unarchiver, and WiFi.
In addition, you have access to a free trial on PowerMyMac. Let us see how to encrypt files on your Mac by using PowerMyMac:
Step 01 - Download and Install PowerMyMac. First of all, you are supposed to download and install PowerMyMac on your Mac from the FoneDog’ s official website or directly click the download button below.
Step 02 - Click ToolKit. After launching PowerMyMac on your Mac device, you can check the system status on the main interface of the Mac device. Then, click ToolKit on the top.
Step 03 - Select Hide. Select the Hide tool in ToolKit.
Tips: Set and confirm your password the first time you enter this page.
Step 04 - Hide Your File. Drag a file on the screen and hide it. Press the Hide button to finish this step.
Note: There is a switch button below. Turn the button off, and the file you dragged in this step could be shown on your Mac again.
Step 05 - Select Encrypt. Back to the previous page, enter the password you set just now, and choose the Encrypt button in Hide And Encrypt.
Step 06 - Encrypt Your File. Also, drag a file and press the Encrypt button.
Now, the file cannot be read in the previous path. You can view it directly on the Encrypt page, however.
Note: If the file is shown in the list of Hide (you once hid it before), although it is not hidden now, it cannot be encrypted. If you need to encrypt this file, you need to remove the file from the list first.
- Tick the file in Hide list.
- Turn the switch on the right of the file on.
- Press the Reset button at the right bottom of the screen.
Method 2. How to Encrypt Files on Mac with Built-in Function
The function to encrypt files is equipped on your Mac to help you protect your files or folders. Continue to read the methods below to see how to encrypt files on Mac:
Step 1. Open the Applications Folder. First of all, press Command + Shift + A to open the Applications folder on your Mac.
Step 2. Open the Utilities Folder. Next, in Applications, choose the Utilities folder.
Step 3. Choose Disk Utility. Choose Disk Utility in the Utilities folder then.
Step 4. Select Image from Folder. Select Image from Folder thought path: File> New Image> Image from Folder.
Step 5. Click The Folder. Click the folder you want to encrypt and protect and choose Open.
Step 6. Read/Write. Later, choose the read/write option.
Step 7. 128-bit AES Encryption. Select 128-bit AES encryption in the Encryption column.
Step 8. Set A Password. Set your own password and enter again to have a double confirm.
Step 9. Name and Save The Locked Disk Image. Name the locked disk image and choose the place to save it. Press the Save button to finish this step.
Step 10. Encryption Completion. Wait for the operation process. After the process completes, you can click Done and leave.
Now, the folder you choose has been encrypted and protected. If necessary, you can remove the original file but please do not delete the dmg. file. What is more, you can put other files into the locked disk image just as you add files into a folder.
Conclusion
FoneDog PowerMyMacTwo main methods are introduced to you of how to encrypt files on Mac: using a built-in method and using a third-party application. Using the built-in method can avoid downloading and installing other software on your Mac. However, it is not as direct and simple as downloading the third-party tool, FoneDog PowerMyMac.
Only quick and simple clicks are required when using PowerMyMac to help you encrypt files and folders. In addition, you can carry out other functions like uninstalling unnecessary Mac software and cleaning files with no need on your Mac. PowerMyMac not only helps you encrypt files on Mac but solves the issues you may encounter when you use a Mac.
