How to Save Your Files to Encrypted DMG on a Mac

Macintosh disk image files function like hard drives or CDs. Use them to store files, encrypt them and share them over the web with other Macintosh users. They image mounts on the Macintosh desktop and when you're done, you can drag it to the trash. You can make them with a standard Macintosh utility.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Create a folder for with your disk image files. Use "Get Info" to check the folder's file size.

2. Open the Disk Utility application. It should have been installed with the system in the "Utilities" folder inside the "Applications" folder.

3. Make a new blank disc image. The method will vary from one version of the OS to the next. The easiest way should be to click on the "New Image"icon. A small dialogue box will open.

4. Choose the disk image size from the "Size" pop-up menu. You can customize the disk image size or choose one of the pre-set sizes. The disk image should be slightly larger than your folder size.

5. Encrypt files by choosing AES-128 as the encryption method from the encryption drop-down menu. You will need to enter a password. Make sure you don't forget your password.

6. Save the disk image. Type the disk image name in the "Save As:" field. You can navigate through the hard drive to choose the disk image location. You will find the disk image file and the mounted drive in the same location.

7. Drag the files to the mounted disk image icon. They will automatically be copied into the disk image file. You can dismount the disk image and the files will still be there the next time you mount the image file.

Tips & Warnings

• You can access "Get Info" by Control+clicking on the folder icon, or choosing "Get Info" from the File Menu.
• For versions earlier than OS 10.3 use the application "Disk Copy." It is also installed by default in your Apple utilities folder.