Encrypt Mac completely - Here's how

To really protect your Mac from data thieves, you should encrypt it completely. In this practical tip you will learn the best tips for optimally securing your Mac against unauthorized access.

Encrypt Mac completely - preparation

• The first thing you should do is to provide your Mac or user account with a password. You can set this up in the "System Settings" under "Users and Groups".
• To protect yourself from attacks from the Internet, you should have installed security software and keep it up to date. A firewall and an anti-virus program are essential for protecting your data.
• After you've gotten started, you're ready to fully encrypt your Mac.

Encrypt Mac completely - with this app it works

1. To fully encrypt your Mac, you do not need to download any other programs - Apple already provides encryption software. Just go to the "System Settings".
2. Here you switch to "Personal"> "Security". In this section you will find the "FileVault" program. Double click on it.
3. For security reasons, you must now enter your administrator password. In the next step, you define the users for whom encryption is to take place.
4. You will then receive the so-called recovery key. Make a note of this key and keep it in a safe place.
5. In the last window you can restart the Mac by clicking on "Restart" and apply the encryption. This takes around 45 minutes, but your Mac is still usable.

This practical tip is based on Apple Mac OS X. If you experience problems, you can reset your Mac to factory settings.