What is FileVault?

Note: Having FileVault enabled will cause errors installing, launching, and running Pro Tools.

To disable FileVault go to:
Apple Menu > System Preferences > Security and click the "Turn Off FileVault"

Description:

Mac OS X includes FileVault, which allows you to encrypt the information in your home folder. FileVault creates a separate volume for your home folder and encrypts the contents of it. The the data in your home folder is encoded and your information is secure if your computer is lost or stolen. FileVault uses the latest government-approved encryption standard, the Advanced Encryption Standard with 128-bit keys (AES-128).

When you turn on FileVault, you must also set up a master password for the computer that you or an administrator can use if you forget your regular login password.

WARNING: If you turn on FileVault and then forget both your login password and your master password, you will not be able to log in to your account and your data will be lost forever.

If the information on your computer is of a sensitive nature, you should consider using FileVault. For example, if you carry all your company's financial data on your PowerBook, losing your PowerBook could allow someone else access to sensitive data that might hurt your business. If you are logged out of your account when your PowerBook is lost, and FileVault is turned on, your information is safe.

Since your home folder is encrypted, some tasks that normally access your home folder may be prevented, for example: backup utilities may see your home folder as one folder that's always changing, and this could slow down your backup. Also, if you're not logged into your computer, other users will not have access to shared folders in your home folder.

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