By Adela D. Louie, Last updated: August 27, 2019
Have you ever got some files on your Mac that you would want to keep private that only you should only be the one to see it? Well, in this article, we are going to show you on how you can put a password on the folder on your Mac.
Your Mac actually comes with several features on how you can actually enhance your privacy. This includes on having a password protect on your files. That is why we are going to show you here some ways for you to be able to password protect your folders or your files on your Mac and on how you can encrypt them as well. This way, you will be able to apply these methods when there is a need for you to protect your files from other people.
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How to Zip Files and Folders on Mac. To get started, open the “Finder” app, and locate the files or folders that you want to compress. If you’re selecting multiple files, hold the Command key while selecting the files. Once you’ve made the selection, right-click on it to view the context menu. Here, click the “Compress” option. How to unzip files on mac computers. Double click the zipped file. The file will automatically be decompressed by Archive Utility into the same folder the compressed file is in. Access the extracted.
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Part 1: How to Put Password on Folder on Mac in Several Ways
Here are some ways for you on how you can be able to put a password on a folder that you would want to keep in private. All you have to do is to follow these steps and you will be able to put a password on your folder.
Method #1: Make A Password Protect Folder on Mac Via Disk Utility
Disk Utility is known to be as one of the built-in features that you have on your Mac. This is commonly used for managing your applications, drives, and partitions. Aside from that, it can also help you in making a password protect for the folders that you have. And that you will be able to manage your files as well. Here is how to do it.
Step 1: Fist is that you have to launch the Disk Utility app on your Mac. You can do this by simply searching the application using your Spotlight or you can locate it by going through your Utilities and then the subfolder application.
Step 2: After that, go ahead and click on the File option.
Step 3: Next is choose New Image.
Step 4: And then, go ahead and choose Image from Folder. Or you can also do an alternative step by pressing on the Shift + Command + N keys on your keyboard.
Step 5: After that, go ahead and choose the folder that you would want to put a password on it.
Step 6: In the next window that will appear on your screen, you will be needing to choose a few things such as the name and the security type.
- Go ahead and make a name for the password protect the folder.
- Then give some tags and then choose the location wherein you would want to save it.
- And if you are going to make encryption, go ahead and choose the 128-bit AES Encryption and then give a password.
- If your concern is for image format, then you can choose from Compressed, read/write, hybrid image and read-only. Go ahead and select from one of those options.
Step 7: Once that you are done, go ahead and click on the “Save” button.
NOTE: Now, depending on the size of the folder, the encryption process may take a few minutes. And once that you have received the confirmation message, all you have to do is to go to the location of the folder and check on it. Type in the password that you have provided and then click on the “OK” button.
Method #2: Encrypting Your Files Using Terminal and OpenSSL
Just like the Disk Utility of Mac, here is another built-in feature that you can actually use for you to be able to protect your files and your folders. You can also use this for you to be able to add some files on the encrypted folder on your Mac. And this is by using your Terminal. So this means that you are going to use some codes. For you to start, follow the guide that we have provided below.
Step 1: Go ahead and launch Terminal application on your Mac.
Step 2: After that, go ahead and enter these commands: openss1 aes-cbc -in ~/Desktop.Photo.jpg -out ~Desktop/Encrypted.file
The command openssl1 and aes 256-cbc designates the type of the encryption while the -in ~/Desktop/Photo.jpg will designate the files that you would want to encrypt and as well as the location. And the -out ~/Desktop/Encypted.file will designate the location f the file that you would want to save.
Step 3: After that, go ahead and enter the command and then provide a password that you want when you are asked to.
Step 4: Confirm the password for you to continue.
Step 5: Now, you will then be able to see the Encrypted.file document on the Desktop of your Mac. You can also change the encryption method and the directory which will be depending on what you need.
NOTE: For you to be able to encrypt the same file, all you have to do is to enter these commands:
openss1 aes-256-cbc -in -d ~Desktop/Encypted.file -out ~Desktop/Photo.jpg
As what we have mentioned earlier, you can actually make use of this method for you to encrypt and then protect your individual files. Since nowadays, everything can be managed using your Terminal. However, the limitation is that you will not be able to do this on a certain folder.
Method #3: Put A Password on Folder and More by Using the Concealer
Concealer is known to be as one of Mac’s application which is advanced technology. You can use it for you to be able to encrypt and as well as store your files and your folders. Another thing is that you will also be able to take care of any sensitive documents on your Mac such as your Notes, Credit Card, and the licenses of your software. All this can actually be protected with one password.
The Concealer will also allow you to establish an individual password for the files that you have stored. There are also some other features that will allow you to use. All you have to do in this application is to drag and drop the files that you want to protect and have them encrypted with the best password.
However, you will not be able to share these files easily. What you would need to do that is to have a Concealer application for encryption and decryption.
Method #4: Putting A Password on Folder by Compression
This method is also being done by using the Terminal application on your Mac. However, what we are going to do is to compress the folder or the file that you want and then make a password. Doing this will not let anyone access your file without having the password that you will put up. The good thing about this is that, it is considered to be a Zip file so will be able to send to anyone you want.
So, for you to start this, here are the things that you need to do.
Step 1: Go ahead and launch the Terminal tool on your Mac.
Step 2: After that, go ahead and launch the file that you would want.
Step 3: And once that you have received the confirmation, all you need to do is to enter these command: zip -e photo.zip photo.jpg
The command that you will enter means that the file Photo.jpg will be converted to a Zip file name photo.zip.
Step 4: Then, go ahead and enter a strong password after the command that you have entered. And then repeat the password once that you are done.
Here, you will now be able to see your ZIP file on your Mac’s Desktop. So if someone would want to access it, they will be asked to enter the password that you have set up. Also, it is better if you are going to remove the original copy of the files since you have the same file in the ZIP file that you have created.
As what you can notice, this method is actually very easy to do. This way, you will not have to worry about someone might be able to access your private files especially that you have already deleted the original ones.
Part 2: The Best Way to Put A Password on Your Folder on Your Mac.
Aside from the methods that we have provided you above, there is one of the best ways for you to be able to put a password on a folder or files that you want to be protected, And this is by using the FoneDog PowerMyMac tool.
The FoneDog PowerMyMac is considered to be an all-in-one Mac application. This program will be able to help you with putting up a password on your precious files or folders. Since it is an all-in-one Mac application, it can become whatever you would want it to be and not just a simple tool for putting up a password on your file and folder. It can also become as follows.
- Mac Cleaner – which will help you in cleaning up all the junks that you have on your Mac.
- App Uninstaller – Which will help you to completely uninstall a certain application together with the files that are associated with the app.
- Performance Monitor – Wherein you will be able to see the system status of your Mac.
- Secret Keeper – to hide or encrypt your files or folders
- File Unarchive
- Wi-Fi Sprite
Using this program as well will help you to free up more of your storage space on your Mac. And at the same time, the FoneDog PowerMyMac will also make your Mac as good as new.
So, for you to start off on encrypting your folder on your Mac, here is a step by step method for you.
Step 1: Download and Install
First is that you would be needing to download the FoneDog PowerMyMac from our official website. And once you are done, go ahead and install it on your Mac.
Step 2: Launch PowerMyMac
After that, go ahead and launch the FoneDog PowerMyMac tool on your Mac. Now, on the main interface of the program, you will be able to see three options. The “Status”, the “Cleaner” and the “Toolkit”.
From those options, go ahead and click on the “Toolkit” options.
Step 3: Choose Module
Once that you have chosen the Toolkit option, go ahead and click on the “Hide” button.
TIP: Go ahead and set up a password on the very first time that you have entered this page of the program.
Step 4: Hide Your Files
After that, go ahead and drag your file on the screen. After that, go ahead and press on the “Hide” button.
NOTE: You will be able to see a switch button below. All you have to do is to turn the button off and the file that you have dragged earlier will not be able to appear on your Mac’s screen.
Step 5: Have Your File Encrypted
You can also have your files encrypted using the FoneDog PowerMyMac. All you have to do is to go back on the previous page and then enter the password that you have created earlier. And then after that, go ahead and click on the Encrypt button in Hide and then Encrypt.
NOTE:You can also drag a certain file and then click on the Encrypt button. Now, the file that you have encrypted will not be able to view by other people. But you have to remember some things.
- If you are going to encrypt some files that are already in your Hide folder, you would be needing to remove that file from the list first. All you have to do is the following
o Go ahead and tick on the file from the list.
o And then, go ahead and switch on the right of the file to turn it ON.
o After that, go ahead and press on the Reset button located at the bottom of your screen.
Part 3: Conclusion
So, we have already shown you different ways on how you can put a password on a certain file from your Mac. This way, other people aside from you will not be able to access those files easily. And if you are going to ask us which one is the most effective method. Then what we would highly recommend for you is by using the FoneDog - PowerMyMac tool. This way, you will be able to protect your folders 100%.
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Nov 16, 2020 • Filed to: Solve Mac Problems • Proven solutions
When Phil Katz invented the Zip file format over 30 years ago, it's highly arguable if he ever imagined his invention would see such profound and widespread use. Zipping files for Mac entails you take several files and compress them into a single file, all the while reducing the overall size of the resultant single file. How convenient is that?
Knowing how to Zip or Unzip files for Mac should thus be a prerequisite for you. If you don't know how to go about doing it, have a look below for an extensive lesson. 80 20 sales and marketing torrent download.
Part 1: What Is a Zip File on Mac
Zip is simply a data archive and compression format. Rar is very similar to the Zip but they are quite different too. For one, Zip files were invented long before Rar, meaning there are more software out there capable of opening and decompressing Zip files because it is a standard file format.
Along the same vein, compatibility is also a difference. Because the Zip format is older, both Windows and Mac come pre-installed with software that is capable of opening it. The same can't be said for the Rar format because it often requires third-party software to be opened. The Zip file format is a free and open-source, making it more popular. Thus, the majority of users have software that can open Zip files primarily. And when it comes to the archive creation process, its speed is relatively faster than that of the Rar format.
Zip files are well and truly capable of saving over 80% or more of the space in your Mac's hard drive. Do you now see the marked difference between the two formats?
Part 2: How to Zip a File on Mac for Free
You might ask yourself if knowing how to create and open Zip files are really worth taking the time out to know. Well, ask yourself these questions too: Don't you want to reduce email-transmission time? And wouldn't it be great to save many emails despite your mailbox's space limit? What about the time it takes to upload or download files via the web?
Zipping a file on Mac gives you great solutions to these questions. It uses a native tool called 'Archive Utility' that does the job for you. There are several ways to the Zip file on Mac. Some are free but there are paid options too (third-party software). Only the free solutions will be given out to you today, though. You're welcome.
How to Zip a File on Mac
1. Open a Finder window, then locate the file or folder you want to zip.
2. Right-click on the said file or folder.
3. Select 'Compress' in the drop-down menu you see. The file is then Zipped while the original is left just the way it was.
How to Create Zip Files and Folder on Mac
1. Open a Finder window.
2. Make a folder for the file or files you want to Zip.
3. Highlight the newly-created folder.
4. Click on 'File' in the top menu bar.
5. In the drop-down menu that appears, click on 'Compress.' A zip file will be created in the same directory as the original folder.
How to Zip Files Using Mac Terminal
You can Zip your files in Mac's Terminal in different ways, but the simplest method will be outlined here for you.
1. Open up a Finder window.
2. Open up Terminal by typing in 'Terminal' at the search bar located on the top right part of your screen.
You can also launch Terminal from your Mac's 'Applications/Utilities' folder.
3. Either way, you will see the program. Click on it to launch it.
4. If the Zipped file is not located on your desktop, move it to the desktop (it's more convenient in this way).
5. Type this command in the Terminal and leave a space: zip
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6. Drag and drop the file (s) to be Zipped into the Terminal's window.
7. Press 'Enter/Return'. The files will be compressed and Zipped into a single file.
How to Zip Files with Password on Mac
1. Choose the file you want to Zip and right-click on it (to make it easier, make sure the file is on your desktop).
2. Select 'Compress.'
3. Open up a Finder window.
4. Navigate to your Mac's 'Utilities.'
5. Find and click on 'Terminal' to launch it.
6. Type in these commands in the Terminal: zip -er archive_name target_folder
7. A popup window will appear, prompting you to enter a password (you will have to enter the password twice; the second time will be for verification). Type in the secure password and click on 'OK' or press 'Enter/Return.' Your Zipped files are now password-protected.
Part 3: How to Unzip and Open Files on Mac for Free
Knowing how to zip files on Mac is good and fine but sometimes, the files you want are already Zipped. This is especially true if you downloaded the files from the web.
The internet of yesterday is not the same as the internet of today. More and more of the files uploaded to websites come in Zipped formats to make downloads faster and easier. So, what happens when youdownload these files but don't know your way around opening them? Bummer. That is just one reason why knowing how to open zip files on your Mac is now a necessity. But just like Zipping files, Unzipping them is quite easy too. There are, of course, different ways you can do that. Here are a few:
How to Unzip files on Mac
Method 1 (Archive Utility):
1. Navigate to wherever the Zipped file is (your desktop, downloads, etc.)
2. Double-click on the file. Because 'Archive Utility' is integrated into your macOS, the Zipped file will automatically open up and dump the contents into a folder bearing its name; the folder will be in the same directory as the Zipped file too.
Method 2 (Archive Utility):
1. Move your cursor over to the Zipped file or files and select them.
2. Right-click on them.
3. Select 'Open.' The Zipped archive will be extracted into a folder that's in the same directory as the archive.
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Method 3 (Terminal):
1. Open up a Finder window.
2. Launch Terminal by typing in 'Terminal' at the search bar on the top-right section of your Mac's screen. Click on it to launch it.
3. Type this command in the Terminal: unzip {the name of the Zipped file}.zip
4. If the Zipped file is not located on your desktop, move it to the desktop because it makes things easier and faster for you. This is not necessary but it is advised, or else you have to type in the directory of the Zipped file before typing in its name. Like so:
unzip ~/Downloads/example.zip
5. Press on 'Enter/Return'. The contents of the Zipped file or files will be Unzipped to the same directory as the Zipped file.
Method 4 (Terminal)
You can Unzip multiple files all at once into a single directory using Terminal.
1. Open up 'Spotlight.'
2. Type in 'Terminal' and then launch it.
3. Type the following commands in Terminal:
cd /Users/phil/Downloads/folder_with_zips
(The above command is to navigate to where your multiple Zipped files are. Input the right directory as proper. In the above example, the Zipped files are in 'Downloads').
unzip *.zip
(This is the command that will Unzip the multiple files)
4. Press 'Enter/Return.' All the files will be Unzipped simultaneously.
Part 4: How to Recover Deleted Zip Files on Mac
Try as you may, it's almost impossible for you to use your Mac without Zipping your files for one reason or another. Even if you don't download much from the internet, it can be quite tempting to want to Zip your files simply because you're well aware it will save your hard drive much-needed space.
Likewise, it will be nearly impossible for you to not delete your Zipped files; again, for several reasons. Maybe you didn't do it intentionally, or maybe you did, but then you realize you want the Zipped files back for one or various reasons.
Look no further than Recoverit Mac Data Recovery to be your one and only savior. It comes loaded with features that thoroughly scan your drive for deleted Zipped files and recovers them back to their exact state. And this is all achieved with a few simple steps:
Step 1: Choose a Location
- Open up Recoverit and choose the hard disk to be scanned. The disk should be where the deleted Zipped files had once been in. Click the 'Start' button.
Step 2: Scan the Location
- The scan will begin. After it's done, a window will display a preview of the deleted Zipped files. You can select and deselect filters during the scan to make your search quicker.
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For instance, you can use 'File Type' or 'File Path' to alter your search and make judicious use of time. You can pause or stop the scan before it completes too; that's a feature that easily makes the operation even more convenient, wouldn't you agree?
Step 3: Preview & Recover Data
- A window will open up where you will see a preview of the deleted Zipped files to be recovered. Choose the files.
- Click on the 'Recover' button located below and to the right. Your Zipped files will be recovered.
- As a final note, you are advised to save the recovered ZIPPED files in a secondary location and not the one they were initially deleted from.
Isn't Recoverit Mac Data Recovery the most user-friendly software you've seen? The three steps are so simple even a child could do it: Choose a drive, scan it, preview your files, and recover them.
Part 5: How to Fix Zip File on Mac
There are those rare but alarming situations when your Zipped files get corrupted. This is an unavoidable flaw on computers. Fortunately, it's fixable.
As to why the Zipped file got corrupted in the first place, it's possible the files within the Zip were already damaged; or an error occurred while downloading the file from the web. Below are common errors plaquing Zip files.
Unable To Expand Zip File on Mac - This error is mostly caused by an unstable internet connection. If your network keeps going on and off while you're downloading a Zipped file, the end result could be a corrupted archive.
The problem could also stem from you, the user. You might have been too hasty in closing the web browser while the Zipped file was still downloading, consequently corrupting it.
Sometimes, even if you manage to completely download the Zipped file, don't be surprised to learn it's few megabytes short of the size it's supposed to be. Because of those missing megabytes, your entire Zipped file could be corrupted.
The Archive is Corrupted – Believe it or not, even exposing your Mac to magnetic fields or excessive temperatures and mechanical problems could also corrupt a Zipped file. Likewise, unzipping very large files can also corrupt them.
End-of-Central-Directory Signature Not Found – Here's another pervasive error. The probable reason you will see this error is because of the incomplete download of a Zipped file. Another possible reason is the file was one part of a multi-part archive, and the other components are missing.
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All the same, the most important thing for you here is to know how to repair corrupted Zipped files, isn't it? These errors can be fixed via Terminal or any decompression utility software, which of course will be a third-party software:
Method 1 (Terminal):
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1. Launch Terminal on your Mac.
2. Type this command in the Terminal: unzip ~/Downloads/example.zip
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(Replace the 'Downloads' you see in the above example with the directory of your Zipped file. If it's in your Downloads folder too, then leave the command as it is.
Method 2 (Unarchiver):
1. Go to your Mac App Store, download Unarchiver, and install it.
2. Open it.
3. Drag your files into the square, blank space on the left side of the software.
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4. Click on 'Decompress.' Your files will be extracted. This software can even succeed where Terminal fails.
Closing Words
By now, you should fully agree with the infinite Mac users out there and on how significant Zip files are. No more are they deemed less important than other software. Indeed, the majority of websites hosting files do so with the files being Zipped.
What's more, you don't have to worry about the state of your Zipped files and the multitude of important files you have within them because of what Recoverit Mac Data Recovery can do for you. This software can be something of an 'insurance' for your Zipped files. If anything befalls them, Recoverit will be there to help recover ZIP and RAR files.