TimeMachine and Encryption

[Mooondog]

Newbie Mac user. Just got my Mac last week, everything is transferred (about 400GB of pics, music, vids).

Picked up the 3TB G-Drive. Started TimeMachine and it took about 6-7 hours to backup the 400GB. However, I thought it would be a good idea to select "Encrypt" and for the last 12 hours, it has been encrypting and is only about 50% through. I assume it's encrypting the entire 3TB?

My main question is, once this is all done and I'm on a regular backup cycle, I assume it won't take hours for each backup?

Or, should I start over, format the drive or whatever and don't encrypt?

Thanks
Eric

 

[cerote]

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.

 

[Mooondog]

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.

Great...that's what i was hoping to hear! Thanks

 

[chown33]

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

 

[Mojo1]

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.