How to easily secure files on your Mac

This is a simple and easy way to keep your most important files safe locally.

Imagine if your laptop was stolen tomorrow. What would you be resourcing your hacker with? Scanned images of your passport? Documents with passwords? Bank statements? Confidential data within spreadsheets?

On most computers, there are a dozen important files that we want to protect. Should we store them online? You can do so, but many still keep a copy locally. And if you’re one of those people, then how can you protect these documents quickly and easily?

Here’s a hack that will only take you 60 seconds to set up. I call it The Lockbox

(1) Open up the application called Disk Utility. You can do this by simply searching in finder or under the applications folder then ‘utilities’ folder.

(2) Create your secure folder. This is the place you want to put your important files in that will be locked behind a password. I made a folder called ‘Lock Box’ and placed it here on the desktop as an example…

Put all your files into the folder you want to secure.

(3) Let’s jump back to Disk Image application. Select FILE > NEW IMAGE > From Folder. Select the folder you just created.

(4) Now to create a password. Select under Encryption the 182-bit AES option.

You will be prompted to create a password. Don’t forget it!

(5) Under ‘Image Format’ select the READ/WRITE option. Then click SAVE. Congrats, you’ve made a new ‘Disk Image’ folder that is passcode protected.

You will notice the folder is now a DMG file, with a different icon (see below image). PS — You can delete the original empty folder now.

When you click on the new .DMG folder, it will require a password before launching. Inside is your secure folder where you can drop files.

Lastly… When finished with your folder, EJECT the folder using the icon in finder to close the DMG and require a passcode again.

Keep all your important files secure, with your new ‘Lockbox’ DMG Folder!

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