The technology uses the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) algorithm with the key lengths of 128 or 256 bits. However, it is possible to configure file encryption that would allow BitLocker to encrypt them individually. Unfortunately, BitLocker isn’t available on Windows 10 Home edition.īy default, BitLocker encrypts your entire disk. It is available on Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8/8.1, and Windows 10 Pro, Enterprise and Education editions. How to use file encryption on Windows?īitLocker is a native Microsoft’s encryption technology. Reportedly, 2019 was the year of 650,572 identity theft cases in the U.S. If your device stores records, such as tax invoices, intellectual property documents, or other personally identifiable information, snoopers have everything they need to commit fraud. It’s a crucial security point if your computer gets stolen or hacked.Īlso, file encryption lowers the risk of identity theft. Hence, even if your computer ends up in the wrong hands, no one but you can access them. Not only is the encryption capable of securing digital data, but it can also safeguard your device’s physical storage.įile encryption conceals individual files and folders that you store on your device. Only the owner of a particular key or password can decrypt it. It works by changing readable plaintext data into an encrypted ciphertext. What is file encryption?Įncryption refers to a process that makes your data indecipherable without a unique key. Let’s find out why file encryption matters and how you can enable it. Have you ever considered that these files can end up in the wrong hands? Luckily, both Windows and macOS offer built-in file encryption tools that are free and relatively easy to use. You might store financial details, copies of identity documents or private photos that you don’t want to share.

Chances are, you do have some sensitive information on your computer. File encryption is one of the most effective methods to keep your data secure.

How to encrypt a flash drive mac