How do I encrypt one file (not a folder)?

[gogreen1]

I'd like to encrypt one file, not a folder. I'm not sending it anywhere--I just would like to keep it encrypted on my computer. How do I do that?

 

[Bart Kela]

If I understand correctly, there are different ways of doing this depending on the file type.

Please let the readers here know what kind of file you are trying to encrypt so they can offer you accurate advice.

 

[gogreen1]

Thanks, Bart. The file is an MS Word 2010 .docx file--and I just realized I can password the file, which would solve the problem. Still, without passwording the file, how would I otherwise encrypt it when I bring it over the Office 2016 for Mac?

 

[Bart Kela]

Once you password the file in MS Word 2010, then it's locked, not just for you and your computer but for everyone. That's the point. It won't be unlocked if you try to open it up on another machine.

Go ahead and experiment on a plain Word document.

 

[gogreen1]

I suppose I should have been doing that all along--just passwording the file. Still, for a long time I used Advanced File Security, a wonderful program, to encrypt Word files. Come to think of it, I also used it to encrypt Finale files--Finale is a music notation program.

So I'm still curious--passwording aside, on a Mac is there another way to encrypt a single file?

Thanks.

 

[Bart Kela]

Apple doesn't include any GUI-based file encryption tools with the base macOS but there's a way to do it from the command line

zip -ej ~/Desktop/mynotes.zip mynotes.txt

would generate an encrypted, password-protected Zip archive on your desktop containing the mynotes.txt text file. If you try to open the Zip archive, Apple's built-in Archive Utility will prompt you for the password.

I'm not sure how strong the encryption level is with this command-line zip method but from poking around on the Internet, it appears that this version of zip supports the weaker WinZip/PKZip encryption not the more powerful AES256 encryption.

However it is a common archive format and won't require a proprietary tool to unlock.

Here's a handy article about encryption that I found using an Internet search.

Of course, there are third-party file encryption utilities around. I have no specific recommendations.

 

[Fishrrman]

I went through this same dilemma several months' back.

I found one app that actually did "file level" encryption.
BUT... it was "pay-for" software, and my needs weren't great enough to entice me to buy it. I think its name began with "m"... don't even remember any more.

I also found this (haven't tried it):
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/encrypto-secure-your-files/id935235287?mt=12

Having said that, if it's a Word file, you could use the password-protection offered by Word, as mentioned above (I don't use Word).

Beyond that, the easiest "road to small-potatoes encryption" on the Mac is to create a small disk image (5-10mb) and encrypt it with a password. Then, put whatever files you wish onto the encrypted disk image.
I did this and found a trick to quickly-access the file.
I -think- I did the following:
1. mount encrypted image
2. make an alias of the file that you will be accessing
3. put the alias wherever you wish for "quick access"
4. now UNmount the encrypted image.
After you do this, you can double-click the file alias, and the disk image (which its on) will present you with the password dialog. Enter the password, and the image will mount and the file will be opened.
5. When done working with the file, close it and UNmount the encrypted image.

 

[gogreen1]

Thanks, Fishrrman and Bart Kela. I'll just password the file and be done with it--the KISS principle!

 

[bdog1234]

I am not sure how sensitive this file is but it is my understanding that word file passwords are not super secure. Sure they will keep casual snoopers away but it is no where near the level of security as encryption.