Best Mac Os Encryption Software For Folders And Documents

08.09.2020by
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Mac provides a number of features that can enhance your privacy but password-protecting folders isn’t one of them. But, as it happens, there are more than one way to password protect folder on Mac.

In this guide, we have covered 5 of the best ways to password-protect folders on Mac and encrypt them as well. You can use these methods when you need additional protection for your files from co-workers or even your partners. Most of these methods involve enterprise-level encryption. So, if you want to lock a folder on Macbook pro, air even iMac, this guide will help.

Also Read: Ways To Password Protect a Folder in Windows

#1 Password Protect Folder on Mac Using Disk Utility

Disk Utility is an in-built macOS app for managing disks, drives and partitions. As it happens, it also lets you create a password-protected folder in your Mac. It is not a folder, per se. But, you can easily manage all your files. Let’s have a look at the steps now.

Step 1

First, we have to open Disk Utility app on Mac. You can simply search via Spotlight or find it in Utilities subfolder of Applications.

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Go to File > New Image > Image from Folder. Alternatively, you can press Shift+Command+N

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Step 2

Now, you have to select the folder that you want to password protect.

Step 3

In the upcoming window, you have to select a few things such as the name and security type.

  • Give the name for the password-protected folder
  • Provide some tags and select the location where you want to save it
  • For encryption, choose 128-bit AES Encryption and provide the password
  • For Image Format, you have some choices, such as Compressed, read/write, hybrid image and read-only. Choose one of them

Once you are done, click the Save button.

Step 4

Depending on the size of the folder, the encryption process may take some time. Once you get the confirmation message, go to the location where you saved the image.

Type the password and click Okay.

Best Mac Os Encryption Software For Folders And Documents

Now, you can see a virtual disk with the same name of the folder. Open it to see the files and access them.

After the use, Eject the drive to make sure that no one else can access the folder.

Note: If you had selected read/write for Image Format, you will be able to copy and paste files easily. But, it depends on what kind of protected folder you want.

You can count on this method if you need something native. As you see, we don’t need a third-party app to protect folders on Mac using Disk Utility.

#2 Password Protect Mac Folders Using Hider

If you want to password protect folder in mac without disk utility, then third-party apps are better option.

Macpaw Hider is an popular app to enable password protection for folders and files. However, it does work like having a secure space inside your Mac. Hider is a paid software (starts at $19 for single license) but you can check out the free trial for 15 days.

You can use this method to encrypt and protect folders, files and secure notes. It also has an impressive UI to make things cool. Once you are installed, you can add whatever you want to protect into the Hider 2 UI. It also offers an option to hide the document/folder.

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Read: The Best Ways to Password Protect PDF File

This is the best thing we loved: once you close Hider 2, everything is secure. You have to enter the password to access contents from the Encrypted folder. Hider 2 is a premium software and it comes at $19.95 for one license.

You can try this method if you need a more accessible way to password-protect files and folders. You cannot use this method if you want to send/transfer the locked content.

#3 Encrypt Files via Terminal, using OpenSSL

Here is another built-into-Mac method to protect your folders and files. You should use this method if you want to add files to encrypted folder in Mac. We are going to do this using Terminal and it involves some code. If you would, let’s have a look at the steps.

Step 1

Open Terminal on your Mac and enter the following command.

Now, in this command,

openssl and aes-256-cbc designates the encryption type.

–in ~/Desktop/Photo.jpg designates the file you want to encrypt and its location

-out ~/Desktop/Encrypted.file designates the location where the encrypted file would be saved

Step 2

Enter the command and provide the encryption password when asked

Confirm the Password to continue

Step 3

Now, you can see the Encrypted.file document on your Desktop. Depending on your need, you can change the directory and encryption methods

Note: To decrypt the same file, enter the following command

Make sure you change the file-names and add ‘-d’ without quotes.

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As we said earlier, you can use this method to encrypt and protect individual files. Since everything can be managed via Terminal, you don’t need a third-party software. Well, the limitation is, you can’t do it for folder.

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#4 Use Concealer to Password Protect Files, Folders and More

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Concealer is an advanced Mac app that lets you encrypt and store files and folders. In addition, you can take care of sensitive documents like Notes, Credit Card and software licenses. All of these are protected by one master password.

In addition to that, Concealer allows you to set individual password for stored files as well. Just like we said in the case of Hider 2, it also uses 256-bit encryption. Once closed, everything is clean. Without the master password, whatever you stored in Concealer will be inaccessible.

There are also some other smart features that may interest you. But the point is that you can simply drag-n-drop files and encrypt them with best security. Of course, don’t expect to share these files easily. Unlike the Terminal and Utility Disk methods, you should have Concealer app for encryption and decryption.

Concealer for Mac is available at a price tag of $19.99. However, there is a free trial version that allows you to save a limited amount of data.

#5 Password Protect Files Using Compression

Here is another method to protect files/folders via Terminal. However, we are going to compress the folder or file with a password. This way, the contents cannot be accessed without a password. But, since it’s a ZIP file, you can easily send/transfer it.

Let’s have a look at the steps.

You have to open Terminal and bring it to where you’ve stored the file. In my case, I had my files on Desktop.

Now, after the confirmation, you have to enter the following command.

So, this means the file Photo.jpg will be converted to a ZIP file named photo.zip. You have to provide a strong password after the command. Repeat the password and you’re done.

In a second or two, you can see the zipped file on your Desktop. Now, whenever someone tries to open the ZIP they will require a password to open a folder on Mac. Do one more thing: delete the original file, since the same is safe inside one ZIP file.

As you can see, this method works like a piece of cake. You don’t have to worry about anyone accessing the files, especially if you deleted the originals. Also, this password protection would work even if you transfer the ZIP file to somewhere else.

Bonus Tip

Want to prevent some folders from showing up via Spotlight? Here’s a method.

Add ‘.noindex’ after the folder name. If the folder name was Photos, make it Photos.noindex

The folder will not be shown in Spotlight search anymore. Keep it somewhere away and it’s a kind of safety.

Password Protect Folder on Mac

So, we have covered the 5 best ways to make a private folder on macOS. The first four methods use higher levels of encryption while the fifth one is compression. Anyway, it’s sure that others won’t have access to your files. If you ask us, Utility Disk is our favorite one. You don’t need a third-party app, but you have access to a read/write folder. Which one do you think you’d choose? Let us know in the comments.

Read: 4 Things You Can Do If You Forget Your Wi-Fi Password

5 1 like 15,325 views Last modified Dec 1, 2015 6:34 AM

Lots of users save confidential information on their Macs. Private data needs to be protected and secured to prevent unwanted access and identity theft. Fortunately, Mac users have lot of possible encryption options nowadays (built in Mac OS tools and 3rd party encryption apps as well).


Built Mac OS Disk Utility tool allows to protect your private files and create encrypted folder disk image. If user does not want to ecrypt the entire disk and enable filevault protection he/she may encrypt certain folder on the hard drive.

1. Open Disk Utility tool. In order to do this just click on Finder icon and select Go menu at the top. Choose Utilities from the drop down menu. In utilities folder look for Disk Utility icon (you can also press command + shift+ U and open Disk Utility in utilities folder).

2. Once you’ll open Disk Utility click on “File” menu at the top. Choose “New ” and select “Image from folder”

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3. Select the folder you want to encrypt(in my case it is thunderzzz secret folder ) or create the new folder and add data containing confidential info there. Click on “Image”.

4. Type the name for encrypted disk image(in my case I call it “Encrypted disk image”) and select 128 or 256-bit encryption option. Click on “Save”.

5. Set up the password for encrypted image. Note: Save this password somewhere or write it down. In case you forget it you loose the access to all encrypted files inside the folder. This is probably the only drawback of this encryption option.

Next time you open this image double click on it. You’ll be prompted to type the password. Your files inside this disk image are protected.

There is also vast choice of third party encryption tools on the market. I have tested some of them on random basis.

Encryption Buddy

This tiny app allows user to protect and encrypt any type of files. Drag and drop the files you want to encrypt or protect with password to the application window. Create a password and click “Encrypt My Files”. It takes some time. In order to decrypt this file you should do almost the same. Easy as a pie. This app is available on the AppStore. You may find more info on developer’s website: http://gotoes.org/sales/Encryption_Buddy/index.php

MacFort

Encrypts and protects with password files, folders, applications and their associated files. It uses AES 128 or 256 bit encryption standard (you may use the same via Disk Utility ) There is no way to see encrypted files without MacFort app. If Mac is lost o stolen your private files remain protected. More info here:

MacKeeper

Despite the controversial reputation of this application on this forum, I have decided to test their built-in encryptor option and it worked pretty well for me. “Data Encryptor” makes encrypted files invisible. It enables two level security mechanism. Internal password to Data Encryptor itself and the password to the encrypted item. More info here: http://manual.mackeeper.com/features/data-encryptor/

CryptMe

The simplest text editor/viewer. Open the text editor. Paste or type sensitive info there. Click on the lock and the data is encrypted. Application uses the same 256 bit AES encryption standard. Application is compaible with Mac OS and iOS as well. Available on the App Store. More info here: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/cryptme/id445265455?mt=12

Encrypto

Cross platform application for Windows and Mac computers. Allows to share encrypted files with friends and send them via e-mail. You can also encrypt the file and and set up the hint. Hint is useful in case you forget the password. More info here: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/encrypto-encrypt-files-you/id935235287?mt=12

It is up to you to decide whether use 3rd party encryption apps or perfect Disk Utility. In my opinion, Disk Utility is all you need. 3rd party apps are good for novice users, however they use the same AES 256-bit standard available via Disk Utility. You should set up the strong and easy to remember password. Good option is to write down password hints somewhere. Remember: In case you forget the password, you no longer have the access to the items inside the encrypted folder.

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