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What is FileVault and should I turn it on?

FileVault scrambles everything on your Mac so that if someone steals it, they can't read your files. If your Mac has personal information or work files — which it does — you should turn FileVault on. It's already on by default on most new Macs, and it doesn't slow things down.

FileVault is encryption for your Mac. It scrambles all your files so they're unreadable without your password. This protects your private information if your Mac gets lost or stolen. The good news is it doesn't slow your Mac down in normal use. You won't notice it running. It's on by default on newer Macs.

Risk: Medium ⏱ 3–5 minutes Beginner

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