How to use the whole disk encryption on external HDs?

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Level 2

160 points

How to use the whole disk encryption on external HDs?

Firstly my Lion install was a breeze with no problems, thanks Apple, downloaded and installed within 80mins.

I hear filevault and been totally re-vamped (not that i see it).. I also heard it would be possible to encrypt not just your mac HD but other HDs including externals.

I run a Macbook Pro with an SSD boot drive and the standard 750gb now resides where the DVD used to be as a storage drive curtacy of optibay. I would like to encrypt both if possible and maybe even some external HDs i use. I don't want to go the PGP route if possible.

I guess i was expecting some awesome new interface in the Filevault tab but nothings changed...

Any help?

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.6.7), 2011, 120gb MercuryPRO 6G SSD, 8GB

Posted on Jul 20, 2011 10:29 AM

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Answer 1

Pondini

Level 8

38,863 points

Jul 20, 2011 10:35 AM in response to black6

There should be a different option to turn File Vault on in Security, for your OSX volume.

Use Disk Utility (in your Applications/Utilities folder) for other drives.

There are new options for the encrypted formats (the disk must have the GUID partition map scheme).

Do be aware that those volumes will not be readable by Macs not running Lion, and that if you forget the password, your data is lost forever.

Personally, I'd wait a while before diving into that.

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Answer 2

black6 Author

Level 2

160 points

Jul 20, 2011 10:56 AM in response to Pondini

Ahh i see the option in disk utility now.. Thanks Pondini.

So i would asume by that i can only use the feature if i re-format the drive? I can't just encrypt an external drive that is already full of information right?

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Answer 3

Pondini

Level 8

38,863 points

Jul 20, 2011 11:05 AM in response to black6

black6 wrote:

. . .

So i would asume by that i can only use the feature if i re-format the drive? I can't just encrypt an external drive that is already full of information right?

In most cases, no.

The exceptions are:

Turning it on for your OSX volume, via System Prefs > Security.

Encrypting Time Machine backups. See #31 in Time Machine - Frequently Asked Questions.

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Answer 4

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,547 points

Jul 20, 2011 11:23 AM in response to Pondini

...if you forget the password, your data is lost forever.

You can optionally store a "recovery key" with Apple.

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Answer 5

Pondini

Level 8

38,863 points

Jul 20, 2011 12:05 PM in response to Linc Davis

I believe that's only for an OSX volume.

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Answer 6

black6 Author

Level 2

160 points

Jul 20, 2011 12:27 PM in response to Pondini

Great help thanks Pondini... I encrypted some external drives i use for work and my time machine drive (thanks to your blog). i think i'll leave filevault alone because i already have a large login password.

Awesome

Cheers!

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