File Encryption

File encryption lets you scramble the contents of a file so that no one can see them. Without the correct password to unlock and unscramble the file, your document is protected from prying eyes, which is important if you are responsible for sensitive or proprietary information. Apple's answer to this issue is FileVault. It encrypts your entire home directory, and then decrypts files as you use them.

In the event your Mac is stolen, your files are safe. Even if your entire home directory is copied to another hard drive, the information it holds is useless without your password. The downside is that FileVault slows down your Mac while it opens and closes the files you are using. If you do any video or audio editing on your Mac, you shouldn't use FileVault at all.

To activate FileVault, do this:

1.	Launch System Preferences (choose Apple menu > System Preferences).
2.	Click the Security icon.
3.	In the Security preference pane, click the Turn On FileVault button.

If you try FileVault and find that it slows you down too much, just turn it off.

Tip

If encrypting your entire home directory is more than you want, take a look at Allume Systems' Stuffit Deluxe (www.allume.com; $79.99). You can compress and password-protect documents and folders, which is nice if you need to protect files that you are transferring via e-mail or disk.