encrypt folder mac

When files are encrypted s they're unusable unless they can be decrypted which is usually only possible with specific software and knowledge of the same password used for encryption. You might encrypt your files if you keep sensitive information that you need to keep private. Maybe you have critical bank information or tax documents or photos and other documents that if stolen could end in identity theft or other problems. The great news is that Apple has already provided you the built-in s password protected folders and files feature on OS X - Disk Utility. To start this file encryption function on Mac s we need to start Disk Utility. Use spotlight and search disk utility if you don't know where it is. Disk Utility will ask you to select a folder. Choose the folder you want to encrypt enter a name for it and select 256 AES encryption . Your selected file will be saved as a .dmg file.

The easiest solution is to turn on FileVault. This does whole disc encryption. FileVault is a standard feature of macOS (unlike Bitlocker on Windows where it is not included in the home edition). Use FileVault to encrypt the startup disk on your Mac s

Right click (control-click) on the hard drive select Encrypt drive name. It will ask you to create a password and even suggest one for you. A password hint is required. You can also encrypt disks in Disk Utility but it requires erasing the drive. When you select the drive format in Disk Utility select one of the encryption options.

The only encryption I know of natively on OSX is creating an encrypted disk and then mounting it so technically doesn encrypt per folder but could be used in place of a folder. FileVault can encrypt an entire disk but again is only 128 or 256 bit. This might be a good place to start looking for 3rd party apps netheril96 s

TrueCrypt - - is a cross-platform solution that may be what you are looking for. It allows you to both create a local encrypted folder disk mode works pretty much just like Alex's suggestion. TrueCrypt will let you carry access your hidden data from any system - Windows Linux or OS X (provided you use the FAT filesystem when making the virtual disk image). And since it was a requirement in your question it is free.