Mac Tips Daily! #55 - Encrypting files with Disk images

You can encrypt sensitive file on your Mac. There are a couple ways to do this: You can use 'File Vault' - which encrypts everything. I prefer just to create encrypted disk images to fit the size I need. If I want to take some files with me, or back them up, create an encrypted disk image. First, from the 'Utilities' folder, launch 'DISK UTILITY' Now, set up the options as below. You can use a custom size, but since I am going to burn this to a CD, I chose 660MB. Now, you must enter a password for the image. You will need to remember this password, or you won't be able to access your files - there is no way to recover this password. Also, I 'UNCHECK' the Remember password (add to keychain)'. Click 'OK' and it will start to create the virtual disk image. Now, where-ever you stored the image, you will see a file with a .dmg extension. Mine is called 'personal.dmg' - this is the disk image file. Double click on the '.DMG' file and then enter the password, and if you enter it correctly, it will mount the disk. Now, you can simply double click on the disk image, and use the finder to Add / Remove the files you want to secure. When you are done using the disk, simply 'Eject' it.