Encrypting confidential files

As the college begins the laptop replacement cycle for faculty office machines, more faculty members will be traveling with their computer, using them in public spaces, and using them for personal files such as tax returns and medical records. Therefore, file security may be more of an issue than it was during the previous desktop model. One solution is to create a folder that requires a password to be opened and store confidential files in that folder and, if needed, create more than one folder, keeping personal documents and confidential research data both encrypted but separate. Reed College has very helpful instructions (mac and windows) and a video (on a mac) demonstrating the encryption process.