TimeMachine and Encryption

It takes time to encrypt.

Once the intial encyption is done it will go back to how time machine normally backsup. A few minutes here and there. But technically it will take just a tiny bit longer than normal one just because of the encryption.

 

See this article on Ars Technica:
http://arstechnica.com/apple/guides...2-and-disk-repairrestore-caveat-encryptor.ars

 

I think that it is preferable to encrypt individual files and folders instead of encrypting entire disks. It is easier and faster and the data can be safely backed-up to external drives and online data backup services such as CrashPlan.

I prefer GoSecure, which I have used for over four years without any problems. ($20 at http://www.gogoalsoft.com/goSecure.php). A similar but more expensive alternative is Knox from the 1Password folks.

Disk Utility and similar utilities can be used to encrypt data, but it requires more time and multiple steps to accomplish. I think that ease of use is more important than saving a few bucks because the easier it is to use encryption, the more likely it will be that people will protect their sensitive data.