Not only is the encryption capable of securing digital data, but it can also safeguard your device’s physical storage.įile encryption conceals individual files and folders that you store on your device. Only the owner of a particular key or password can decrypt it. It works by changing readable plaintext data into an encrypted ciphertext. What is file encryption?Įncryption refers to a process that makes your data indecipherable without a unique key. Let’s find out why file encryption matters and how you can enable it.

Have you ever considered that these files can end up in the wrong hands? Luckily, both Windows and macOS offer built-in file encryption tools that are free and relatively easy to use. You might store financial details, copies of identity documents or private photos that you don’t want to share. Chances are, you do have some sensitive information on your computer. I understand that the encryption used is OS exclusive and so if I encrypt on a Mac I can't decrypt the contents onto a Windows device unless I had the relevant software in place (sorry I'm not too tech savvy), and the same would apply if I encrypted using Windows BitLocker and tried to decrypt on Mac.File encryption is one of the most effective methods to keep your data secure. My concern is, if in the event I lose or have my flash drive stolen, suppose I followed the instructions offered by Apple on how to encrypt my flash drive with Disk Utility, would I be protected regardless of the operating system used by the person who attempts to read the data off of my flash drive? I'm looking to place some information on a flash drive as, whilst safe, I know uploading documents to the cloud comes with its risks. Does Encrypting a Flash Drive with Disk Utility Protect My Data on All Operating Systems? Hi there, I'm new to the community so I apologise if this question is in the wrong place.

How to encrypt a flash drive mac