How to Password Protect Folders in MacOS

**Securing Your Files on Mac: A Step-by-Step Guide Using Disk Utility**

**Introduction**

In today’s digital world, safeguarding your sensitive files is crucial. While Apple provides robust security features like FileVault and user passwords, an extra layer of protection can be beneficial, especially if you share your device or travel frequently. This guide will walk you through creating an encrypted disk image using Disk Utility, offering a secure and password-protected solution for your files.

**Getting Started with Disk Utility**

1. **Opening Disk Utility**:

- Launch Disk Utility by navigating to `Applications > Utilities` or using Finder’s search function.

- Familiarize yourself with the interface, which is user-friendly for creating disk images.

**Creating the Encrypted Disk Image**

2. **Accessing the New Image Menu**:

- Select `File > New Image > Image from Folder` from the menu bar to begin the process.

3. **Configuring the Image Settings**:

- In the dialog box, choose the folder you wish to secure.

- Rename the disk image with a meaningful name instead of using the default folder name.

- Specify where you want the dmg file saved.

4. **Setting Encryption and Access Modes**:

- Choose between 128-bit or 256-bit AES encryption. Opt for 256-bit for enhanced security, though it may be slightly slower.

- Select "Read/Write" to allow modifications or "Read-Only" if you prefer no changes.

5. **Passwords and Finalizing**:

- Enter and confirm your desired password twice to ensure security.

- Click "Save" to create the dmg file at your specified location.

**Mounting and Accessing the Image**

6. **Accessing Your Secure Files**:

- Double-click the dmg file to mount it, prompting a dialog box for your password.

- After entering the correct password, your files become accessible.

7. **Keychain Option Caution**:

- While saving the password to Keychain is convenient, avoid this if others have access to the same keychain.

**Unmounting and Managing the Image**

8. **Safely Unmounting**:

- Right-click the mounted image and select "Eject" to unmount it securely.

- Remember that the password will be required each time you unmount or remount the image.

**Important Considerations**

9. **Backing Up Before Deletion**:

- Before deleting the original folder, ensure your dmg file works correctly and contains all necessary files as a backup.

10. **Security Tips**:

- Avoid sharing passwords with others.

- Regularly check that your encryption settings are secure.

**Conclusion and Call to Action**

After mastering this technique, enhance your security by keeping an encrypted image of your sensitive files. For more insights and updates on Apple products, subscribe to our channel, explore our price guide for deals, and follow us on social media for the latest tech news and tutorials. Stay tuned for more videos and keep your devices secure!

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This structured approach ensures you're equipped with a comprehensive method to protect your data, providing clarity and thoroughness without unnecessary summarization.

"WEBVTTKind: captionsLanguage: enpractically everyone has files or folders they keep on their Mac that they don't want anyone else to access hey guys it's max with Apple insider and today I'll show you how to keep your files secure by turning a folder into an encrypted and password-protected disk image people are generally okay with having various important documents stored on their Mac using file vault to encrypt your drives and even just having a password to access the user account in the first place however some users like myself feel that some folders are just too important or private not to have an extra level of security especially if you share a user account or a computer when traveling like I am right now a solution of this is to use Disk Utility to create a disk image that is encrypted and password protected open up Disk Utility which can be found in Applications folder under utilities alternately use the search function and finder to search this Mac for Disk Utility in the disk utility menu select file new image then image from folder a new dialog box will appear with a number of options available for creating a disk image at the top you could change the name of the disk image just something more appropriate to its contents instead of using the folder name by default and where you want it to be initially saved under encryption select either 128-bit or 256 bit AES encryption selecting 256 bit will be more secure but will be slower to access than the 128-bit under the image format drop-down box select read and write to be able to change files held within the image once it's created if you don't want any changes made to the files in the folder at all or new files to be added select read-only now into your desired password twice once the settings are entered click Save then done at the location defined in the settings you will find a new dmg file with the name entered during the process your new secure image is used in a similar way to other images to access your files the image needs to be mounted double click the image to mount it a dialog box will appear asking for the password which needs to be filled out followed by clicking ok a tick box below the password entry offers to save the password to keychain if anyone else has access to the same keychain it's probably not a good idea once the right password is entered the image will mount and the files will be accessible the folder will not need the password again when it's mounted but will require it when it's unmounted to unmount right-click the mounted image and select eject after creating the image it's tempting to delete the source folder and its contents before doing so make sure the image functions as planned in see a checking there is a securely held backup of the files if you enjoy this video like it and hit that subscribe button also check out a price guide which makes it extremely easy to find the best deals and Apple products updated daily be sure to follow us on social media and we'll see you in the next videopractically everyone has files or folders they keep on their Mac that they don't want anyone else to access hey guys it's max with Apple insider and today I'll show you how to keep your files secure by turning a folder into an encrypted and password-protected disk image people are generally okay with having various important documents stored on their Mac using file vault to encrypt your drives and even just having a password to access the user account in the first place however some users like myself feel that some folders are just too important or private not to have an extra level of security especially if you share a user account or a computer when traveling like I am right now a solution of this is to use Disk Utility to create a disk image that is encrypted and password protected open up Disk Utility which can be found in Applications folder under utilities alternately use the search function and finder to search this Mac for Disk Utility in the disk utility menu select file new image then image from folder a new dialog box will appear with a number of options available for creating a disk image at the top you could change the name of the disk image just something more appropriate to its contents instead of using the folder name by default and where you want it to be initially saved under encryption select either 128-bit or 256 bit AES encryption selecting 256 bit will be more secure but will be slower to access than the 128-bit under the image format drop-down box select read and write to be able to change files held within the image once it's created if you don't want any changes made to the files in the folder at all or new files to be added select read-only now into your desired password twice once the settings are entered click Save then done at the location defined in the settings you will find a new dmg file with the name entered during the process your new secure image is used in a similar way to other images to access your files the image needs to be mounted double click the image to mount it a dialog box will appear asking for the password which needs to be filled out followed by clicking ok a tick box below the password entry offers to save the password to keychain if anyone else has access to the same keychain it's probably not a good idea once the right password is entered the image will mount and the files will be accessible the folder will not need the password again when it's mounted but will require it when it's unmounted to unmount right-click the mounted image and select eject after creating the image it's tempting to delete the source folder and its contents before doing so make sure the image functions as planned in see a checking there is a securely held backup of the files if you enjoy this video like it and hit that subscribe button also check out a price guide which makes it extremely easy to find the best deals and Apple products updated daily be sure to follow us on social media and we'll see you in the next video\n"