How to encrypt external drives using Finder So to secure this drive, you’ll need to take the manual route using Finder or Disc Utility. Unfortunately, FileVault can’t password protect external drives on your Mac for you. If you use removable storage devices for keeping sensitive data, they have to be encrypted as well. After that, the operating speed will return to normal. Once your Mac starts encrypting your disk, expect things to run a little slower than usual for the first hour or so. By storing the recovery key in a notebook or as a screenshot, you can reach it whenever necessary. iCloud can be the way to go unless you have trouble accessing your account. When choosing an alternative method of unlocking the disk, make sure it’s both secure and easy to access.

Choose the preferred method of unlocking your disk if you lose your password (iCloud for OS X Yosemite or a recovery key for OS X Mavericks).

Enter your admin username and password when prompted.

Click on the lock icon in the bottom left corner of the window.

Select System > Preferences > Security & Privacy

Click the Apple icon to open the main Apple menu.

Here’s how to password-protect a hard drive on Mac: FileVault even allows you to erase your drive remotely via Find My Mac, preventing unauthorized access to your files in case your computer was stolen. Using FileVault, you can encrypt the entire contents of your Mac and password protect access to your hard drive. How to encrypt your Mac hard driveĬonsider this the motherlode of password protection for your Mac.

All you have to do is export them as a PDF, then encrypt that PDF file on your Mac using these steps. You can easily password-protect various files such as images, tables, or text.

Open the necessary PDF file in the Preview mode.

You can also follow these steps to protect other iWork files, like Keynote or Numbers.

You will be prompted to enter a password and select a password hint.

Click the lock icon and select Lock Note.

Create a new note or choose an existing note.

While Disk Utility remains the most secure way to password-protect files and folders on your Mac, there are a few alternative methods to avoid unauthorized access. Only now, can you go ahead and delete the original folder. Double-check to confirm you can access the disk image and files inside it. The original, unencrypted folder is still on your computer.

How to lock a folder in mac