Encrypt that compressed file
The Mac can compress files to a Zip file and uncrompress Zip files to folders out of the box.
To compress, select the files, then Control-click them, then choose Compress from the contextual menu. Those files will be compressed into a Zip file. To uncompress, just double-click on the Zip file and its contents are extracted into a folder with the same name as the Zip file.
For most users, thatâs enough.
However, if you work for companies or institutions that require files sent via the Internet be encrypted, youâll need a third-party app for that.
Enter Keka from aONe. Itâs a free Mac OS X file archiver that supports compression into 7z, Zip, Tar, Gzip, Bzip2, DMG and ISO file formats.
Get it and install it. Once installed, you can compress files by dragging the folder or files you want to compress into the Keka window. The files will be compressed to the format selected on the tab of the window.
If you want to encrypt the file that you want to compress, make sure youâve entered a Password (and Repeat the Password) in the Keka window.
By default, password-protected 7z files will be encrypted with the AESâ256 algorithm and Zip files with the weaker Zip 2.0 Legacy encryption algorithm.
Warning
Do not rely on Zip 2.0 Legacy encryption to provide strong protection from those with access to specialised password recovery tools!
If your data is especially sensitive, you will need AESâ256 encryption. I highly recommend compressing those files in a password-protected 7z file. Nowadays, most people on whatever computer can uncompress 7z files anyway.
If you must use a Zip file, Keka can actually encrypt it with AESâ256 but it involves using the Terminal app to modify the appâs hidden default settings. I donât want to go over it here but you can find the instructions on Kekaâs AESâ256 Encryption page.









