FileVault is a disk encryption feature built into macOS that encodes the data on your startup disk so that unauthorized users cant access your information. It provides 128-bit AES encryption with a 256-bit key to encrypt the disk and all files located on the drive. Once enabled, every single existing piece of data will be encrypted, and any new and changed data will be automatically locked and password-protected to prevent unauthorized access.
To set up FileVault, you must be an administrator, and when you turn it on, you choose how you want to unlock your startup disk if you ever forget your password. Other security features are also turned on when you turn on FileVault, such as requiring a password to log in when your Mac is in sleep or after leaving the screen saver.
FileVault is especially useful if you store sensitive information on your Mac, such as financial data or personal information. It is also a useful deterrent to anyone thinking of stealing your laptop since without the passcode or recovery key, the hard drive is virtually useless. However, it is important to remember your recovery key since if you forget your login password and can’t reset it, and you also forget your recovery key, you won’t be able to log in, and your files and settings will be lost forever.
