System and Backup Encryption for Windows 10 and macOS

Posted On February 17, 2021

What is Drive Encryption?

• Drive encryption scrambles your files so that noone else can read them – except the person with the password or recovery key.
• This is usually done transparently. You use your computer normally, your files will be encrypted and protected.
• Drive encryption is not supported by all operating systems or computer hardware.

Pros of Using Encryption

• Protect your files in case your device is lost or stolen. The theif will not be able to read your files, keeping your info safe.
• Protects against some kinds of malware

Cons of Using Encryption

• If you lose your password and/or recovery key, you lose access to all of the files on your drive.
• Your device may run marginally slower.

Tips

• If you’re using drive encryption, also keep a backup of your files either on Ondrive or dropbox, or on a device you keep unencrypted and stored in a very safe place (like a safe). You should be doing this anyway – it’s best practice to keep a copy of your important data in at least 3 separate places.
• Keep your recovery key in a safe place too, or make it something very memorable that someone is unlikely to be able to guess.

Mac

• Apple Provide Filevault drive encryption in their macOS system, which ships with every Mac.
• Apple being Apple, they provide straight-forward instructions for enable it, linked below.
• Instructions: Use FileVault to encrypt the startup disk on your Mac

Windows

• Windows 10’s Bitlocker Drive Encryption is only available in the Professional version of the operating system, and is not included in the Home version.
• If you are using Windows 10 Home wish to use drive encryption, you’ll need to upgrade your version of Windows
• In typical Microsoft fashion, they do not provice a simple tutorial on how to use this feature. PCWorld have put together a good article on Bitlocker, including a tutorial, linked below.
• Article: A beginner’s guide to BitLocker, Windows’ built-in encryption tool

Android

• Android phone and tablets also include disk encryption for their internal storage.
• On newer devices, this is often enabled by default.
• Wikihow: How to Encrypt Your Android Device

iPad/iPhone

• Good news! All recent iOS devices are encrypted by default.
• To take full advantage of it, you’ll need to set a passphrase and set up touch or face ID systems.
• The more complex your passphrase, the better
• Instructions: Use Face ID on iPhone and iPad
• Instructions: Use Touch ID on iPhone and iPad

Portable Drives

• You can encrypt your usb sticks and external drives as well.
• Wikihow: Bitlocker To Go for Windows
• Instructions: Encrypt and protect a disk with a password using Disk Utility on Mac

If this seems like too much to deal with, consider hiring a tech support provider who can encrypt your systems, and manage recovery options for you. It protects your files and gives you peace of mind at a reasonable cost. Losing your data could result in identity theft, loss of privacy, and loss of important memories, photos, and correspondence.