Comments on: Encrypt Folders with Password Protection in OS X the Easy Way

By: Manas

Manas — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 07:58:41 +0000

this is very very helpful in keeping privacy and very good. this can actually lessen your burden if you have any doubt that someone might see your files.

By: Matt

Matt — Sat, 09 Feb 2013 19:14:21 +0000

You can add new files to the encrypted folder by unlocking the DMG and then copying files to it. If you intend on placing a lot of files in there, make sure to account for the growth in file size when creating the original disk image. You can also use Disk Utility after the fact to resize an image if necessary.

You can think of the encrypted disk image folder as a little virtual hard drive partition, it is set in size just like a partition but can be shrunk or expanded if necessary.

By: Chris Q.

Chris Q. — Sat, 09 Feb 2013 08:35:35 +0000

You cannot use a crypted folder that way since you cannot add new files to the folder. The folder size is fixed and CAN’T BE EXPANDED.

By: Kris

Kris — Wed, 23 Jan 2013 04:02:33 +0000

This is a terrific tutorial. I’ve been looking for a simple tool to encrypt work files, and this is it! I’m so happy I don’t have to download some application… Thank you!

By: Henry

Henry — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 03:16:07 +0000

Hey what am I doing wrong. I followed all the instructions to password encrypt a folder on my Mac It creates the dmg folder, but when I click on the dmg folder it does not open & as for password. IT actually does nothing. WHat did I do wrong ? Also can you use the same process to change the password on a protected folder.

Thanks

By: Richard

Richard — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 18:10:17 +0000

Actually, he’s right. This whole thing could be made much easier and user-friendly. It’s a case of Apple dropping the ball, or, more likely, correctly assuming the bulk of its users are typically Homers who use iPhoto and Twitter but don’t bother with more arcane and complex operations.

If Apple wants to use some of its great wealth to simplify and streamline the process, the clunky Disk Utility should be removed from the equation. Additionally, little clumsy infelicities need cleaning up.

For example, it’s simply stupid to have to unclick the option to store the pw in one’s keychain every single time. How many times must I tell OS X this?

Additionally, you can’t see the password you’re typing as you create the encrypted file — an option to do so is only there when you decrypt. Again, this is too clever by half, since it’s obviously meant to hide the pw from prying eyes. But what genius at Apple decided only encryption, and not decryption, should be sooper-sekrit? Or as you would put it: LOL.

By: Phil

Phil — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 22:56:58 +0000

This article is very interesting! However, beside “Documents” folder, how we can put security password to another folder? Thanks.

By: ThomasYH

ThomasYH — Wed, 07 Nov 2012 00:21:10 +0000

Ok. so if i make disk image and place it on my desktop. I use it for a wile. Then i want to delete it/ free the space from my computer. How do i delete or free the reserved space? Do i only drop the disk image in the trash? Does that free my hard drive from the disk image? Or does it only delete the img and the space is still reserved on my hdd??

By: Francis

Francis — Tue, 06 Nov 2012 13:06:37 +0000

I have been using encrypted disk image for long time; since OS Leopard. And I have no problem with it. Currently I’m using OS Mountain Lion and now I have problem with it. The Encrypted disc image which is created in this latest OS becomes so slow when I copy files to it. Does anybody have experienced this problem? Does anybody know what is the problem and how to solve it?

Thanks

By: Mark

Mark — Mon, 05 Nov 2012 16:31:17 +0000

Agreed. I would think the target folder’s contents would be placed in the image. Why else go to the trouble of making this “from a folder?” Space issues are not good either. Wouldn’t you expect to need a folder larger in the future than it is now? I will make a fresh encrypted image from Disk Utility, as I don’t understand how it is any advantage to make it modelled on a folder.

By: Brian H

Brian H — Sat, 13 Oct 2012 21:20:45 +0000

I wonder why nobody uses an encrypted ZIP file from terminal anymore.

Just use this syntax:

zip -erm folder.zip folder where folder is the files you want to encrypt.

By: Lincoln Sills

Lincoln Sills — Sun, 07 Oct 2012 01:42:05 +0000

Are you reading what you are writing? You, in a very condescending manner, trash the post saying “This is not easy”, and then you trash Apple saying they are incapable of encrypting a file…but it’s right there in front of you AND this is easy. LOL That is the most ironic post I have ever read here.

By: Lincoln Sills

Lincoln Sills — Sun, 07 Oct 2012 01:31:53 +0000

WOW!!! Thank you for this response. You gave the answer just the way Apple would! :p

By: Lamar J

Lamar J — Tue, 02 Oct 2012 15:09:49 +0000

Strangely, I noticed once this is done, I cannot delete files inside the new dmg.

Yes, I have opened the .dmg using the password. Yes, I have checked permissions and have read/write access.

Like Dan as said I recommend using the sparse bundle. I have had success with this method, strangely I think it is easier and it is expandable and more importantly, shrinkable. Back to the old way.

By: Paul

Paul — Mon, 01 Oct 2012 14:15:45 +0000

Errrr….the title of this article says “…the Easy Way”. This is not easy. I have, for so long, wished theat crappy old Mac OSX would have a “right-click, select “encrypt folder”" option. Type in a password…the folder’s encrypted. To open it, you’re prompted to type in the password again. Is this beyond the capabilities of Apple programmers? Apparently so.