These instructions guide you through creating a password-protected disk image from an existing folder on your Mac. The original folder will be left as it was. If you do not want the contents to be readable without a password, delete the original folder once you finish these instructions. You can then access the contents in the disk image using the password that you specify below.

1) Open Disk Utility. One way to do this is by going to Launchpad, going to the Other folder, and clicking Disk Utility.

2) Click File, hover over New Image, and click Image from Folder.

3) Click once on the file or folder that you want to password protect, and click Choose. Make sure you select a read/write folder; if you do not do this, your image will not allow any changes.

4) Configure the following settings:

• Save As: the file name that you want to give to the disk image
• Encryption: 128-bit AES encryption (recommended)
• Image Format: compressed

In the window that pops up, type the password that you want to use, click Choose. (Click Save on the previous pane.)

5) The disk image will be created. Click Done to finish.

6) You may quit Disk Utility at any time.

Outcome

The password-protected disk image has been created.

Once the disk image is created, mount the image by double-clicking on it, and check the contents in the folder it creates. Make sure that you can make changes to those files or add files, etc.

Once you are satisfied with the disk image, you may remove the original file or folder that you wanted to password protect.