How to Password Protect a Folder on macOS?

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Posted by Geeks Callout London

@geekscallout

 12 June, 2021

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Even though it takes a password to start your Mac, some of your information and files probably require a higher level of security. Good news: the function exists directly in MacOS, easy to implement, efficient and free.

Many personal security software on mac store allows you to encrypt the contents of a folder in macOS. it is almost unnecessary, as MacOS includes utilities, often underused, which allow users to keep your files safe.

This should be done for files or folders that you want to be absolutely certain that can’t fall into the wrong hands. For everyone, your account is protected by a password (and/or your fingerprint on recent Macbooks), which prevents any intruder from accessing your user account. But by encrypting the contents of a folder, and protecting them with a password, you make sure data won’t be readable, even by anyone who finds your old hard drive one day. To do this, follow the guide.

 

– First, create a folder to move the files you want to protect . Then go to your Applications, there you will find “Utilities” folder, in which the “Disk Utility” application is located. You can also search “Disk Utility” by clicking on the magnifier option.

– Launch the “Disk Utility“, in the File menu, choose “New image“, and “Image from folder“.


The software will then open a window where you can choose the folder to protect on the hard drive. In “Image format“, choose “Read / Write” to be able to continue adding or deleting files in your protected folder, then choose between the two Encryption options (Recommended ” 128 bit”) . The system will then ask you for the password to protect the contents of the folder.

 

Here it is, it’s done, your file has been copied into an encrypted image file and now protected by the password you have chosen. You can now delete the original folder but carefully keep the. DMG file created by the application.

 

Now, when you double-click the file, it will ask to enter the password, it will open as in you inserted a USB flash drive or external hard drive. Once .DMG file mounted, it will work normal, can use to store or delete files. Once you have done working with it, double tap and click on eject. Drive will be unmounted and folder will again ask for the password to re-open. 

If you find difficult of doing it, just speak to our Geeks Expert and we should be able to help you remotely or guide you over the phone to have it done.

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