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In this article we will show you how to Enable Full Disk Encryption on macOS or Windows. Full disc encryption (FDE) is a type of cryptography that turns all the data on a disc into code that can’t be read. This kind of code can only be read by someone who knows how to break it. For example, a good way to protect your house is to lock the doors that lead outside and the doors that lead inside.
In the same way, FDE protects all the data on your hard drive, including files, the operating system, and any other type of data. Full disc encryption is easy to do these days because many device makers have made encryption-specific software. Data protection is one of the most important things you must never give up as a business owner.
To escape the costs of a data breach and to reduce risk, sensitive information must be kept safe. How do you protect your system and make sure your info is private if you use macOS? On macOS, there are several ways to protect data without gaps, but full disc encryption is one of the most powerful and effective.
How to Enable Full Disk Encryption on macOS or Windows
Enable Disk Encryption on Mac
- Step 1: Open up System Preferences and click “Security & Privacy.”
- Step 2: Click the lock icon, then enter your user name and password when prompted.
- Step 3: Select the FileVault tab.
- Step 4: Click “Turn On FileVault”. Disk encryption should now be enabled on Mac OS. If prompted, store your encryption key in a safe place, like a password manager.
- Apple recommends the following ways to retrieve your encryption key and reset your password in case you forget:
- If you’re using OS X Yosemite or later, choose to use iCloud FileVault for recovery.
- If you don’t want to use iCloud FileVault for recovery, create a local backup of your password. Keep the letters and numbers somewhere safe—other than on any computer that has been encrypted with Apple’s software. You can also store it in a password manager.
- For those who are not on a newer operating system like Mavericks, create a local key by providing answers to three security questions that will be easy for you to recall.
Enabling Disk Encryption with BitLocker on Windows PC
- Step 1: Start by going to Settings -> Updates & Security -> Device Encryption.
- Step 2: Once here, click on Turn on Device Encryption. If you do not see these settings, you either 1. Need to search for BitLocker or 2. Do not have access to device encryption because your computer is on Windows 11 Home, not pro or enterprise.
- Step 3: Search for BitLocker by going to Start -> and entering in Bitlocker in the search window. Select “Manage BitLocker.”
- Step 4: Select “Turn on BitLocker” and follow the instructions to secure your computer.
- Step 5: Choose how you’d like to back up the security key. We recommend keeping it in the cloud.
- Step 6: Select whether you want the encryption to take care of the entire disk or just the used space. We recommend you to encrypt the entire disk.
- You should be good to go at that point. Note that the disk encryption process will take some time.
FAQs
Yes, you can definitely do that. You can quickly change the settings on an external hard drive that works with Mac computers so that it works with both Windows and Mac computers. The two file systems that both Windows and Mac can use are exFAT and HFS+.
If you want to secure the drive without wiping it clean, you can’t because it isn’t set up with a GUID Partition Table. You must use a GUID Partition Table to set up the drive. You can do that if you use the Disc Utility to Erase the drive.