How do you password protect an external USB drive on iMac, Mac OSX



How to create a secure USB drive with Apple Mac OSX


If you need to securely protect an external USB device, USB Hard drive (HDU), Compact Flash or other type of memory card with password protection, this function is available within Mac OSX.

Once you protect the device with a password you will not be able to access the data within unless you first enter the unlock password.

A drive protected in this fashion will not be readable on a Windows PC, with or without the password that you have chosen to encrypt the device.

Drive encryption process

 * 1) Ensure you have backed up any data you need from this device as this erasing/ formatting this device will destroy all data contained within
 * 2) Use Launchpad, (D), to select and launch Disk Utility
 * 3) Select the root of the device
 * This is the top option on the device Generic USB CF Reader Media in this example


 * 1) Click 'Erase'
 * 2) Select 'Mac OS Extended (journaled, Encrypted)' from the drop-down menu
 * You could also select Mac OS Extended (Case-Disk, Journaled, Encrypted), should you prefer


 * 1) Enter a new name for this device if you wish to change it from the existing value
 * 'You can change the security method used to erase the device under Security Options, although this is only the method used to erase your current data and has no bearing upon future data stored on this device


 * 1) Double-check you still have the correct device selected as the next step will irreversibly destroy any data on the selected drive
 * 2) Click Erase
 * 3) Once the operation is complete, eject the device and reconnect it to test that your protection is working