Image for the article titled How to Encrypt Your Own Windows and Mac Devices (And Why You Need To Do This)

Data encryption makes it almost impossible for someone to access a protected file without the correct decryption key or password. Many apps use encryption to protect your data, including Password manager, VPNs, and even some messaging apps– but you should do more than just encrypt the data you share online.

We all store important files and information on our computers and USB hard drives, and if that data isn’t properly backed up, it’s an easy target for snoops, thieves, and even hackers.

Fortunately, there are several ways you can quickly encrypt your Mac or Windows devices. So we’re going to cover every option available for both platforms – that way, you can add an extra layer of security to every file, folder, and app stored on your computers, and hard drives.

Mac

Mac computers contain a built-in encryption tool called FileVault that is available to all Mac users. You can use it to encrypt the Mac yourself or add password protection to external USB drives.

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How to encrypt a Mac computer

  1. Click the Apple icon, then go to System Preferences> Security & Privacy> FileVault.
  2. Click the Lock button.
  3. To choose “Enable FileVault.”
  4. Set up a secondary recovery method when prompted. This will help you get inside your encrypted files if you forget the password.
  5. click “Keep going.” The encryption process takes place in the background.

How to Encrypt External USB Drives on Mac

  1. Connect the USB drive to your Mac.
  2. Open Finder and right-click the USB drive name in the left menu.
  3. Select an encryption method.
  4. Enter the password you want to protect the drive with, then start the encryption process.

window

Windows PCs are a little more difficult to encrypt. While Microsoft offers encryption tools such as Device Encryption and BitLocker in most versions of Windows, these are only available to corporate users. Neither option is available to Windows Home users, who are likely to make up the majority of general Windows users.

We’re going to discuss using device encryption and BitLocker for Windows business users, but Windows Home users should jump down to learn more about third-party options.

How to encrypt a Windows PC using device encryption or BitLocker

  1. Make sure you are logged in to the computer’s administrator account
  2. Open the Start menu, then click the Settings icon.
  3. Go to in the settings menu Update & Security> Device Encryption.
  4. To choose “Turn on.”

Not all PCs are equipped with the correct hardware to enable device encryption. However, Windows Enterprise users can also use Windows BitLocker to encrypt drives.

  1. Find and open in the search bar of the taskbar “Switchboard.”
  2. Go to Control Panel System and Security> BitLocker Drive Encryption> Manage BitLocker.
  3. To choose “Turn on Bitlocker.”
  4. Follow the on-screen instructions to set everything up.
  5. To encrypt a drive on your PC, select it from the device list in the Manage BitLocker window, then click “Turn on” and follow the instructions on the screen.

BitLocker can also encrypt external USB drives:

  1. Connect the USB drive to your PC.
  2. Open the Control Panel and go to System and Security> BitLocker Drive Encryption> Manage BitLocker.
  3. Select the USB drive from the device list.
  4. To choose “Turn on Bitlocker.”
  5. Follow the instructions on the screen.

How to encrypt PCs and USB drives in Windows Home Edition

Because Device Encryption and BitLocker aren’t available in Windows Home editions, most Windows users will need a third-party encryption app to protect their PCs and local hard drives. There are lots of solid opportunities out there, like AxCrypt, Folder Lock, and NordCrypt, but most cost money – typically around $ 30 to $ 50 a year, depending on product features.

This encryption is well worth paying for, however, and most programs come with bonuses like password ratings, two-factor authentication, and more.

You can also use many of these programs to encrypt external USB storage devices. Some hard drive manufacturers like Seagate also use proprietary encryption methods for their storage devices. The exact steps differ between apps, but the general process is the same:

  1. Back up the drive’s files (as you will need to erase and reformat the drive).
  2. Use the encryption software to format and encrypt the drive.
  3. Transfer the files back to the encrypted drive.

Whichever method you use, don’t forget to save passwords (or other decryption methods) securely for you can access your locked files, folders and drives at any time.

[Mashable]

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