To illustrate, people usually have important data and sensitive files on computers. For this reason, people try to encrypt their files for data protection. Truth be told, it is specifically used to keep the data safe from hackers. Generally, macOS offers an extensive range of tools for protection purposes. In fact, using the right encryption tools will ensure that you don’t run around for hard drive data recovery in London. For this purpose, we are sharing various ways how one can optimize data encryption with macOS tools.
Encrypting The Startup Disk
To begin with, the users can use FileVault for encrypting the startup disk. Earlier, Apple added FileVault to macOS back in 2013 but it slowed down the Macs. However, over the course of years, Apple has improved its FileVault functionality. In addition, the processors have progressed, therefore faster performance. For instance, they released FileVault 2 earlier in 2011. In fact, it’s a secure option and positively influences the performance of the MacBook.
For the most part, FileVault offers full-disk encryption. As a result, the files will always be encrypted when FileVault is active. Moreover, no one will be able to start up the Mac or access the drive without using the password. Above all, FileVault has XTS-AES-128 encryption which means someone cannot access the files even if someone takes out the drive. Furthermore, it allows the users to use Find My Mac on a remote basis for erasing the drive.
On the contrary, if you need to sell or destroy the Mac, all the data on the disk will be securely erased. In brief, the password-protected design ensures that even the recovered file cannot be accessed without passwords.
Other Disks
Generally, macOS has a wide range of features for user protection but they have a similar feature for encrypting the drive. For instance, if you tend to use the thumb drive for shuttling the files between work and home, it’s better to encrypt the drive.
Empty Disks
In the first place, empty disks can be encrypted by mounting the drives in and opening the Disk Utility. Further, choose the drive and hit the erase option from the toolbar. Likewise, from the format menu, hit the APFS option (encrypted). Then, enter the password and you will need to enter it again. However, we suggest entering the password hint. Conversely, tap the choose button and hit the erase button. For this purpose, Disk Utility helps erase the drive and curate the latest encrypted volumes.
For this reason, whichever files you tend to write to the drive will be encrypted. Subsequently, when it’s mounted on the Mac, you will need to enter the password. However, you can also choose to store the passwords in the keychain. On the contrary, this shouldn’t be done if you have a work Mac or any Mac if it doesn’t belong to you.
Disks With Data
In the first place, if you have a Mac that’s loaded with data and don’t want to erase the data, you can encrypt it as well. For this purpose, you can encrypt it but not from the Disk Utility. Consequently, mount in the drive, right-click on the Finder, and hit the encrypt option. Notwithstanding, choose the option, then add and verify the password. Also, enter the password hint. Furthermore, if you click the key icon, macOS is likely to suggest the password.
At the same time, Finger will unmount the drive and it will take a few minutes for remounting. As a result, the encryption process will take some time, as compared to FileVault.
Time Machine Backups
In the first place, if you tend to use Time Machine for backing up the Mac, you can also encrypt the drive. At the same time, if you want to enable encryption, you need to choose the options when setting up the disk for Time Machine. On the contrary, if you are already using the disk with Time Machine, you can add it again after switching on the encryption. For this purpose, open the Time Machine’s preference pane, hit the add or remove disk option.
Then, choose the disk and check the encrypt backups option. In particular, in case you are using the backup up for a network device, the backups will be erased. For this reason, it’s better that you create a full backup of the Mac before making any changes.
Storing Files On The Encrypted Disk
In addition to encrypting the disks, the users can store the files on the encrypted disk image. In brief, the disk image is a special file that contains other files. Also, the users can create the disk image with encryption. To begin with, the encrypted disk images will securely store the files on the servers (cloud). Furthermore, the disk images can be used to send sensitive information through email. For this purpose, you will need to provide the password for opening the disk image and accessing the files.
