[Sebastian]

I know it has had plenty of issues in the past with data corruption and/or loss - given all the recent system updates, has this largely been taken care of and at a place where it's safe to use?

[NeXTLoop]

I've been using FileVault for over a year now. Basically since 10.3.3. Absolutely no issues whatsoever. Apple seems to have gotten it right.

[Mole Food]

Originally posted by Sebastian:
I know it has had plenty of issues in the past with data corruption and/or loss - given all the recent system updates, has this largely been taken care of and at a place where it's safe to use?

From what I've heard I gather that its safe to use now, but I know that it slows down any copying of files in and out of your home directory as it encrypts/decrypts them, so if you don't have a real use for it (multiple users with people you don't really know etc.) then it might be better to leave it off.

[OptimusG4]

Works great for me as well.

[Dr. Smoke]

The only known issue with FileVault was corrected in Mac OS X 10.3.1, though the cautions therein re: not restarting or experiencing power loss while encrypting the Home folder still apply. Likewise, a further improvement was made in the Mac OS X 10.3.2 Update. So, technically, all known bugs have been fixed.

That being said, only implement FileVault if you really need that level of security:

- You have a laptop and travel with it.

- You share a Mac with others or your Mac is in an office easily accessible by others and you have personal, confidential information on such that must be protected across your Home folder.

In lieu of FileVault, you can always protect data selectively using an encrypted disk image.

The biggest risk with FileVault is you are putting all your eggs in one encrypted disk image. If a bad sector or block develops on the space of the hard drive where this encrypted disk image resides, your data is toast. Having a comprehensive Backup and Recovery solution, and using it regularly, is critical for all users, and especially important if you use FileVault. This has been cited in a variety of articles, including:

- Engst, Adam C. How FileVault Should Work. TidBITS #719. 1 March 2004.

Some additional advice should you elect to use FileVault:

- Before implementing FileVault, check your disk thoroughly. At a minimum, run Steps 1 and 2 of the procedure in my Resolving Disk, Permission, and Cache Corruption FAQ.

- Do not lose the Master Password for your Mac. This must be set in order to enable FileVault and is essential to recovering any encrypted Home folders on your Mac should a user forget their account password.

- Before implementing FileVault, assure you have sufficient free space on your hard disk. You need free disk space at least a bit larger than your Home folder in order for the encryption process.

- To avoid performance problems when using iMovie and either of Final Cut Pro or Express, save project-related files, scratch disks, and other linked media outside your Home folder. See:

-“iMovie: Using FileVault Can Affect Performance.”

-“Final Cut Pro and Final Cut Express: About Using FileVault.”

- If you need to repair your encrypted Home folder, this requires special instructions.

For another take on FileVault, see F. J. de Kermadec’s article, “An Unencrypted Look at FileVault.”

Note that some of the information above is from the Security chapter of my book, Troubleshooting Mac® OS X, Second Edition.

[legacyb4]

Nice summary of points regarding Filevault. Knowing it works smoothly now, I might consider implementing it on my laptop (finally).

Cheers.

[Cadaver]

I use it on my PowerBook (rev. C 12") and on a 1.4GHz GigE PowerMac G4. No issues at all, and I really can't notice any speed issue with the encryption/decryption, even when running the PowerBook at Reduced processor speed on battery.

I feel very secure knowing that should my PowerBook fall in to the wrong hands while traveling, there's essentially no way in to it. Strong password + FileVault =