Add passwords and encryption to everything!

1 Encrypt external drives

Encrypt external USB drives and flash memory drives to protect the contents by Ctrl+clicking them in Finder. Select ‘Encrypt’ and then only you can access the files.

2 Encrypt folders

Open Disk Utility and select File>new Image>image from Folder. Select the folder to protect. Set the encryption and password and then only you can access the contents.

3 Encrypt the disk

The Mac’s internal disk should be encrypted by default, but check anyway in System Preferences>security & Privacy> Filevault. Turn it on if it is not on.

4 Protect preferences

Click the ‘Advanced’ button in Security & Privacy and tick ‘Require an administrator password…’ This prevents others who use your Mac from changing settings.

5 Sleep settings

Protect your Mac when you are not around. Select ‘General’ in Security & Privacy and tick the box to require a password immediately after sleep or screen saver.

6 Password protect notes

Select a note in Notes and click the padlock. The first time only, you are asked for a password for locked notes. To change it or remove it go to Notes>preferences.

7 Encrypt backups

No point encrypting the Mac’s disk if backups are unprotected! Click ‘Select Disk’ in System Preferences> time Machine, choose the disk and tick ‘Encrypt backups’.

8 Pages/numbers/keynote

Apple’s work apps are able to protect documents with a password. Select File>set Password. Do not save the password in your keychain to prevent anyone else opening it.

9 Password protect zips

Emailing a zip file? Password protect it. Open Terminal, change to the folder using CD, then type ‘zip -e zipname *’. All files are added to a password protected zip.