Secure Document Encryption in Notebooks

Privacy and security are becoming increasingly important, especially when dealing with confidential documents. While Notebooks does not offer native document encryption, there are multiple ways to use secure document encryption in Notebooks. One option is using a secure disk image, a built-in macOS feature, while another is utilizing third-party encryption tools like Encrypto.

This article primarily focuses on Notebooks for Mac. However, similar options might be available on iOS as well.

Why Doesn’t Notebooks Offer Native Encryption?

Notebooks prioritizes flexibility, openness, and cross-platform accessibility. Implementing native encryption would require managing encryption keys and authentication, which could make accessing files across different devices and applications more complicated. Instead, Notebooks allows users to choose third-party encryption tools, enabling them to secure their files in a way that best suits their needs.

Option 1: Using an Encrypted Disk Image (macOS)

An effective way to secure your documents is by choosing an encrypted disk image, a built-in feature on macOS, as storage location for Notebooks. This allows you to create a secure, password-protected container for storing your files.

How to Set Up an Encrypted Disk Image:

1. Open Disk Utility on your Mac.
2. Go to File > New Image > Blank Image.
3. Choose a name, size, and format for your disk image.
4. Under Encryption, select AES-128 or AES-256 encryption and set a strong password.
5. Save the disk image to a location of your choice.
6. Once created, double-click the disk image to mount it, enter the password,
7. Select the disk image or one of its contained folders as storage location for Notebooks and work on the documents as usual.
8. When done, eject the disk image to lock it again.

This method provides strong encryption while keeping files easily accessible when needed. Storing the disk image on iCloud Drive allows you to sync these documents between Macs, but please keep in mind that you cannot access the Disk Image from iOS devices.

Option 2: Encrypting Individual Files with Third-Party Tools

Encryption tools like Encrypto by MacPaw encrypt files and add a unique file extension (e.g., .crypto). When such a file is stored in Notebooks, only its name is visible. A right-click on the file typically opens a context menu with an option to open it using the corresponding encryption tool.

Selecting this option launches the encryption app with the chosen file. After entering the previously set password, the file is decrypted. It can then be viewed within the encryption tool or opened in its associated program.

Encrypting Files Directly from Notebooks

Some encryption tools allow users to export documents directly into an encrypted file. This can work for Formatted Documents, Markdown, and Text Files.

Here’s how it works with an encryption tool like Encrypto:

1. Right-click on the file in Notebooks
2. Select the Share option from the context menu
3. Choose the encryption tool as the target app
4. The encryption tool launches, allowing you to set a password
5. Use Save as to store the file or Share File to place it directly in Notebooks

Conclusion

Notebooks users have multiple options to enhance document security. Whether encrypting individual files with a third-party tool or storing multiple files inside a macOS-encrypted disk image, these methods provide flexibility and protection for sensitive data.

---

Disclaimer: Notebooks is not affiliated with Encrypto or any other third-party encryption tool. Their functionality is subject to change by their respective developers. The encrypted disk image method is a native macOS feature and may vary in implementation across different macOS versions.