Tell me more ×
Ask Different is a question and answer site for power users of Apple hardware and software. It's 100% free, no registration required.
up vote 3 down vote favorite

How do you encrypt an external hard/flash drive connected to my Mac in Lion 10.7? Preferable something with a strong encryption as FileVault.

share|improve this question

2 Answers

up vote 4 down vote accepted

The best way to do this is via Disk Utility in the Application/Utilities folder. Review pictures for better understanding

Select the disk you want to encrypt Disk Utility

Choose the format method as in the picture, making sure you choose the option with Encryption Choose format

Next time you connect the disk, you will be asked to enter password. Here is what it looks like after you are done

share|improve this answer
Is this a new Lion feature? – Thilo Aug 5 '11 at 2:35
Yes it is and it's very good. – Slick Aug 5 '11 at 22:06
up vote 0 down vote

You can create an encrypted volume using Disk Utility:

http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1578

Also, see here for information on FileVault:

Is File Vault 2 whole disk encryption or whole partition encryption?

share|improve this answer
1  
The article describes how to create an encrypted disk image. That is not the same as FileVault. But it is also just as secure, and more backwards compatible (you can read it from older OS X versions, too), which is important for external drives, I would think. – Thilo Aug 3 '11 at 10:10

Your Answer

 
discard

By posting your answer, you agree to the privacy policy and terms of service.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.