Just done encrypted my folder using your 2nd option, the terminal. It’s super easy and i’ve been searching this like forever on youtube/google but to no avail. Thank you so much for this tips/tricks.
Also works with Time Machine... Thanks Gary. Always great information. I use an encrypted image as you suggest because it also gets backed up automatically by Time Machine. I used to have an external encrypted drive but it wasn’t mirrored. When it crashed I lost everything. I moved to this approach and now everything is secure AND backed up on my SAN.
Super helpful. Very detailed info but simple and easy to understand. Just successfully pw protected one of the files by following the first option of your instruction. Thank you.
This was very helpful! I have not done either yet as I may have uses for both methods but have a couple of questions before I do it. 1. using the Terminal method, can individual files within the zip be sent (and password protected) via email, or can only the entire zip folder contents be sent? 2. If I wanted to use the Utility Desk method, I realize that one must remember the password to access, but can the password be reset?
Thanks for this video. I'm a brand new Mac user and previously watched four videos on this subject. Yours is number five and the first one I was able to follow. Problem solved. THANK YOU! :-)
Excellent. Is it right that after viewing I have to delete the file and empty it from the bin each time to stop other people using my mac from seeing it? The zip file remains and when I enter the password it re-opens all ok.
I am new to Mac world. Just got my Mac couple of days ago. Very Clear explanation and i loved it. Thank you for sharing the knowledge. 1 part is missing, after opening the Encrypted folder / File it creates unencrypted folder. I am assuming the user needs to delete it manually or is there a shortcut to get rid of the unencrypted folder post closing it. Thanks
Gary can you make a video for encyption on macs , if the filevault is necessary on m1 macs , and the encypting the time machine ... what is happening if try to read an enctypting external drive to another mac machine ?
Whether it is "necessary" is up to you. All internal drives are encrypted on an M1 (File Vault or no). But you have to choose to encrypt external drives when you set the format. If you try to use an external drive on another Mac, you have to enter the encryption key to access it.
As a subscriber to the Setapp suite of Mac apps, I chose an app called Archiver, which creates & opens compressed files, including a simple encryption process. Of course, it's a paid app, which of course Disk Utility & Terminal are not.
Choosing folder method does not work on folders on external drives. I tried the first way and got an error message. What do you recommend for folder password protection on external drives?
Hi Gary, in your opinion, is either of these a recommended way of storing folders/files in a cloud service, and then accessing them across various devices and platforms, for editing etc. Also, will this be enough protection against the prying eyes of the internet, and any accidentally prying eyes at the cloud service itself. Perfect tutorial as always, thanks!
Cloud services like iCloud already encrypt the data. No need to use something like this. This is for if you want to send someone a file, or store something in a public location, or protect something from someone who has access to you hard drive.
I read somewhere about encryption only working in Dropbox once the file is inside it, but I have no idea how to verify this and it could be inaccurate information hence the question.
Cool video, Thanks! You can also produce password protected pdf's from the Mac print dialog 'Save as PDF' option... once there, click on 'Security Options' and jump through the hoops. I've actually used this a few times... seems to work well!
@@macmost Not looking for anything... just mentioning out of passing interest how password protected pdf's can be easily produced from the built in Mac print dialog box. Again great videos, always looking forward to the next episode, Thanks!
@@macmost How do we delete or safely remove the "Disk Image that we create when we no longer need the encrypted password protected disk image we made with disk utility. Also how to you delete an encrypted zip file that you created using terminal when you no longer need it? How do you lock the zip file after you opened it on the Mac if you use password protecting files on your Mac using terminal. Its obvious how you lock a disk image by ejecting that when done. However how do you lock a zip file once your done looking at files in that zip file? Thanks in advance this is good stuff. Just need help with these other details.
@@Arcade-Steam-FPGA You don't lock or unlock a zip file. You decompress it and that makes copies of those files. The zip file is still encrypted, but the new copies you just extracted are not. If you want to completely delete the zip file, you can just delete it like any other file.
Thanks for this solution! One more thing I'd like to ask though - after creating the read/write disk image, I'd be able to add/delete files in there, but is there a limit to how much I can put inside?
Depends on how you create it as there are several options. But usually, yes. Just create one big enough to have extra space. Then if you run out of space, create a new one and move the files into it.
Do you mean add a file to an encrypted disk image? It would need to be a read/write disk image. You'd simply open it up and add the file like it was any disk. Then close it again.
You'd probably just have to copy the data off the drive, reformat it, and them copy the data back onto it. Unless you don't care about the data, then you can just reformat.
@@macmost I think she’s asking something Else, I think she’s asking how do you get the data back to unencrypted, unprotected if say there’s items you no longer need protected and want to use unencumbered
Hi Gary, I'm bringing my 16-inch MB Pro to the genus bar today for the black smudges on the lower part of my screen. Can I lock my photos so they can't look through them? Hoa about my email...can I lock that?
@@macmost I did a lot of searching and never came across that answer or how to do it. I ended up making a backup on my external drive and now I’m hoping all my settings will comeback. It looks like I may be getting a whole new upper half, the screen part on my 16 inch MBP m2. They made me sign a disclaimer to pay $300 if it shows water damage…even though I have Apple care. My laptop never came near water but I just have this feeling that they will say it anyway. Thanks for the reply.
Is there a compelling reason to do so? What does it get you that you cannot do otherwise? Do you completely trust the app and the store where you are getting it?
macmostvideo I use 1Password and find it convenient. I also know that if my iMac needs to be repaired or examined by a repair shop, 1Password provides security with a password not stored in Keychain.
Can somebody tell me, if you for example delete the folder you have made by this methode, and you have give the max 10 GB, will these 10 GB be deleted forever from your hard driver ?
It works very strange. I encrypted photos and videos as was described in the video and uploaded an encrypted file to Onedrive. When I open the zip in OneDrive I can see the names of files and file format. Isn't it supposed to encrypt the content? Same happens in Drive. I can see what files are inside, their type and name.
@@macmost No. I encrypted the folder. Checked on Mac, it worked well (asked for password). Then I uploaded zipped file to onedrive. When I click on the zipped file in one drive, it shows the files and its file names but I cannot open them. I thought encryption hides all the content.
Is there any way that the terminal method would only password protect the file on a Mac? My Mac asked for rhe password for the zip but windows 10 didn’t. Any idea why?
There's no way that could happen. If the zip file is encrypted, you'll need the password to decrypt. Perhaps you didn't complete the process or tried with the wrong file?
@@macmost read today that this is happening on windows 10 lately with some encrypted files opening without passwords. Like I said when I finished the zip file on the Mac and tried to open it it asked me for password. Strange one. Thanks anyway.
@@ctattanmusic That can only happen if the file wasn't encrypted in the first place. There's no way for the Windows machine to "know" the key to decrypt it. A bug or something can't suddenly turn a Windows computer into a ultra-powerful encryption-cracking machine.
Is there any way to change where the image is mounted?. If i'm inside a folder, i don't want it to mount on the desktop, I'd like it to appear in the same folder where the the image is.
Images are not mounted in a location. They aren't in the Desktop folder or inside any folder at all. If under Finder, Preferences, General you have selected to show External Disks on the Desktop, then they appear there but they are not "in" the Desktop folder -- if you look in the Finder for the Desktop folder you can see it only contains files and folders, no disks or other items, as that is a special property of the Desktop. Turn this preference off and then you can just see them in the left sidebar.
Thanks. When I control click on the disk image or the open file from it -Get Info says it is read/write. But I cannot drag any type file into the open folder. I’ll try a few one just to make sure I did it correctly.
I started from the beginning and redid the disk image and made sure it was on read / write. And it’s working fine now. Thanks for your help and all of your videos.
Since the password wasn't visible. I might've typed diff passwords for enter pw and verify pw. I'm getting this error "zip error: Invalid command arguments (password verification failed)" Any tips on what to do?
If you typed different passwords, it could not have let you continue. Not sure why you are getting the error other than maybe the password isn't what you think it is.
Hi. Can you help me? Mine won't encrypt and says (stored 0%) and never changes. How can I force it to encrypt even if encrypting makes the file size larger?
@@macmost Yes, thanks, I just meant it won't proceed to do what's described in the video - "ls" won't show files and instead says "is a directory". Even dragging/dropping "documents" as shown. Reason 523 I never make use of Terminal!
@@macmost Appreciate the reply but at this point, I wouldn't even begin to know where to "experiment". I followed your (and others) procedure for completing this process and despite everything, the resulting folder continues to show as being only 100MB. I'm stumped???
@@rogerbeltz2370 Experiment: try different options when you create the Disk Image, APFS vs HFS+, partition options, image formats, sizes like 240 instead of 200. That sort of thing. To solve a problem you need to try things and see what happens.
You probably can't. I'd imagine that Microsoft Word encrypts the file using the password as a key (if not, the password protection isn't worth much). So without the password you can't decrypt it.
No. If you could open them without the password, then it wouldn't be much protection. The file is actually encrypted and needs to use the password as the ket to decrypt.
If you have forgotten the password and didn't store it anywhere, then you can't. If you could, then the password protection would be useless in the first place because anyone could open it.
sir the file could be delete by others so i locked the file through terminal and now i cant add any files to it nor i know how to unlock it plz help sir!
If you could decrypt a file without the password, then so could anyone else, rendering the whole idea useless. Is this a file that existed before as a non-encrypted file? If so, then use your Time Machine backup to find that deleted copy.
@@macmost hey thnks for replying,so my problem is that after i go to files,new image and after i click image from folder.I cant choose a file.Also i wanted to know how i could use a password or fingerprint to lock a document and not a image.
@@garvsangtani2640 You need to choose a folder, not a file. So if it is a single file you want to protect, then put it in a new folder by itself and select that folder when making a disk image from a folder.
Depends on which type of dmg you created. But if you need to add/delete frequently, it may not be the best solution. Hard to advise without knowing what you are trying to do, exactly.
If you started the document as a normal one, and then password-protected it later, then you can use your Time Machine backup to restore the file from before the time you added the password. Otherwise, there's nothing you can do. The encryption used wouldn't be of any use if it could be easily broken.
Did they enter the correct password? Did you try sending them another copy? Did they use the right method to try to open it (Disk Utility or an unzip app, depending on what you sent them?)
You can also make your own software for this using python. You guys can check it out. It takes a little bit of python installation and that's it. It's easy once you do the python thing. ruclips.net/video/kCs2V5DmwyM/видео.html
Just done encrypted my folder using your 2nd option, the terminal. It’s super easy and i’ve been searching this like forever on youtube/google but to no avail. Thank you so much for this tips/tricks.
Also works with Time Machine... Thanks Gary. Always great information. I use an encrypted image as you suggest because it also gets backed up automatically by Time Machine. I used to have an external encrypted drive but it wasn’t mirrored. When it crashed I lost everything. I moved to this approach and now everything is secure AND backed up on my SAN.
Gary, Just a quick note to say thanks for all of the valuable tips and help that your videos provide. Excellent content and format!
Gary is a great guy, so knowledgeable really great stuff
LOVED THE VIDEO, I'LL BE WATCHING ALL OF THEM SHORTLY!
Very nice explanation (r stands for recursive btw). Would absolutely LOVE to see you present a series of terminal commands on the Mac.
Super helpful. Very detailed info but simple and easy to understand. Just successfully pw protected one of the files by following the first option of your instruction. Thank you.
This was very helpful! I have not done either yet as I may have uses for both methods but have a couple of questions before I do it. 1. using the Terminal method, can individual files within the zip be sent (and password protected) via email, or can only the entire zip folder contents be sent? 2. If I wanted to use the Utility Desk method, I realize that one must remember the password to access, but can the password be reset?
Thank’s, Gary! The Disk Utility method with read/wright capability is my favorite.📂 I’ve been wondering how to do this for years!🤦♂️
But you can't add much data to it as it has low storage issues
the terminal solution was exactly what i needed. thank you :)
You deserve more subs man. thanks for the tips!
Thanks. Just did the second way - it is great - better than formatting a flash drive.
Thanks for this video. I'm a brand new Mac user and previously watched four videos on this subject. Yours is number five and the first one I was able to follow. Problem solved. THANK YOU! :-)
VERY HELPFUUUULLL!!!! Explicitly explained! Thank you so much!
works beautifully on my Mac. Thanks Gary
Your videos are amazing. Thnak you!!
Perfect tutorial, exactly what I was looking to do. Thx a lot !
Thank you for your instruction on how to password on a folder on a mac. Very well explained even a caveman can understand.
Excellent. Is it right that after viewing I have to delete the file and empty it from the bin each time to stop other people using my mac from seeing it? The zip file remains and when I enter the password it re-opens all ok.
You are great Gary, many thanks!
Thanks man, I love your channel
I am new to Mac world. Just got my Mac couple of days ago. Very Clear explanation and i loved it. Thank you for sharing the knowledge. 1 part is missing, after opening the Encrypted folder / File it creates unencrypted folder. I am assuming the user needs to delete it manually or is there a shortcut to get rid of the unencrypted folder post closing it. Thanks
If you use that method, then yes, you would delete it yourself.
Great very helpful, but I have a question. Once you create a password on a file, and you add other documents to that password protected file?
Disk Images, yes, as long as you create the read/write kind.
Really good Video. Thanks
Gary can you make a video for encyption on macs , if the filevault is necessary on m1 macs , and the encypting the time machine ... what is happening if try to read an enctypting external drive to another mac machine ?
Whether it is "necessary" is up to you. All internal drives are encrypted on an M1 (File Vault or no). But you have to choose to encrypt external drives when you set the format. If you try to use an external drive on another Mac, you have to enter the encryption key to access it.
As a subscriber to the Setapp suite of Mac apps, I chose an app called Archiver, which creates & opens compressed files, including a simple encryption process. Of course, it's a paid app, which of course Disk Utility & Terminal are not.
Choosing folder method does not work on folders on external drives. I tried the first way and got an error message. What do you recommend for folder password protection on external drives?
very helpful, thank you very much for sharing!
Hi Gary, in your opinion, is either of these a recommended way of storing folders/files in a cloud service, and then accessing them across various devices and platforms, for editing etc. Also, will this be enough protection against the prying eyes of the internet, and any accidentally prying eyes at the cloud service itself. Perfect tutorial as always, thanks!
Cloud services like iCloud already encrypt the data. No need to use something like this. This is for if you want to send someone a file, or store something in a public location, or protect something from someone who has access to you hard drive.
macmostvideo Ok thanks!
I read somewhere about encryption only working in Dropbox once the file is inside it, but I have no idea how to verify this and it could be inaccurate information hence the question.
These are UNIX commands very interesting!
Cool video, Thanks! You can also produce password protected pdf's from the Mac print dialog 'Save as PDF' option... once there, click on 'Security Options' and jump through the hoops. I've actually used this a few times... seems to work well!
What are you looking for, exactly. Explain the functionality you want and maybe I can suggest something.
@@macmost Not looking for anything... just mentioning out of passing interest how password protected pdf's can be easily produced from the built in Mac print dialog box. Again great videos, always looking forward to the next episode, Thanks!
@@rwbishop Oh, sorry about that. The reply was supposed to be for someone else. Sometimes the RUclips comments manager gets a little weird.
@@macmost How do we delete or safely remove the "Disk Image that we create when we no longer need the encrypted password protected disk image we made with disk utility.
Also how to you delete an encrypted zip file that you created using terminal when you no longer need it?
How do you lock the zip file after you opened it on the Mac if you use password protecting files on your Mac using terminal. Its obvious how you lock a disk image by ejecting that when done. However how do you lock a zip file once your done looking at files in that zip file?
Thanks in advance this is good stuff. Just need help with these other details.
@@Arcade-Steam-FPGA You don't lock or unlock a zip file. You decompress it and that makes copies of those files. The zip file is still encrypted, but the new copies you just extracted are not. If you want to completely delete the zip file, you can just delete it like any other file.
Great tutorial! Thanks.
Thank You !!
Perfect. Thanks
Thanks for this solution! One more thing I'd like to ask though - after creating the read/write disk image, I'd be able to add/delete files in there, but is there a limit to how much I can put inside?
Depends on how you create it as there are several options. But usually, yes. Just create one big enough to have extra space. Then if you run out of space, create a new one and move the files into it.
this was helpfull, thanks alot
@macmost would I be able to access these on my mobile devices from files folder?
Do you have an option to get back into the folder if the password has been lost. Please help
Awesome! Thank you
great video How do you add a file to your existing encrpted file
Do you mean add a file to an encrypted disk image? It would need to be a read/write disk image. You'd simply open it up and add the file like it was any disk. Then close it again.
Hello, great vid. Quick q: how do you revert the disk utility option ?
You'd probably just have to copy the data off the drive, reformat it, and them copy the data back onto it. Unless you don't care about the data, then you can just reformat.
@@macmost I think she’s asking something Else, I think she’s asking how do you get the data back to unencrypted, unprotected if say there’s items you no longer need protected and want to use unencumbered
@@howardarby Yes, I have the same question. Is there a way to reverse the process if you no longer need the files to be protected.
nice video but how do i add another file to the protected disc image folder?
So I have this encrypted file but I can't add much I would like to add as much as I want (20gb) but it doesn't work
@macmost, will I be able to copy, paste or move the files in this folder if needed?
If you create the right kind of read/write disk image, yes. But it gets tricky as you have a set amount of space. What's your use case?
6:32
7:00
7:13 terminal code
7:40 zip command
8:50
Hi Gary, I'm bringing my 16-inch MB Pro to the genus bar today for the black smudges on the lower part of my screen.
Can I lock my photos so they can't look through them?
Hoa about my email...can I lock that?
Lock it ALL. Just sign out of your account. They can't get into it without your password.
@@macmost I did a lot of searching and never came across that answer or how to do it. I ended up making a backup on my external drive and now I’m hoping all my settings will comeback. It looks like I may be getting a whole new upper half, the screen part on my 16 inch MBP m2.
They made me sign a disclaimer to pay $300 if it shows water damage…even though I have Apple care. My laptop never came near water but I just have this feeling that they will say it anyway.
Thanks for the reply.
can you make a folder for videos?
Is using third party encryption apps is a good choice?
Is there a compelling reason to do so? What does it get you that you cannot do otherwise? Do you completely trust the app and the store where you are getting it?
macmostvideo I use 1Password and find it convenient. I also know that if my iMac needs to be repaired or examined by a repair shop, 1Password provides security with a password not stored in Keychain.
Oh my gosh! Thank you!
@Hector Gonzalez yes she does, I don’t know how she does it
Does Dmg files able to open in iphone or ipad ?
Why doesn't anyone know the difference between a FOLDER and a FILE. I want to encrypt a single FILE, not a FOLDER.
How safe is the password protection when using the terminal method?
The files would be encrypted. If you password can't be guessed, it would take some serious equipment and effort to break it.
Can somebody tell me, if you for example delete the folder you have made by this methode, and you have give the max 10 GB, will these 10 GB be deleted forever from your hard driver ?
It works very strange. I encrypted photos and videos as was described in the video and uploaded an encrypted file to Onedrive. When I open the zip in OneDrive I can see the names of files and file format. Isn't it supposed to encrypt the content? Same happens in Drive. I can see what files are inside, their type and name.
Are you opening it on your Mac using an app that is then using the password saved to your Keychain?
@@macmost No. I encrypted the folder. Checked on Mac, it worked well (asked for password). Then I uploaded zipped file to onedrive. When I click on the zipped file in one drive, it shows the files and its file names but I cannot open them. I thought encryption hides all the content.
@@zikamikakokoku Could you extract the files? Maybe the files are encrypted but the names are not.
@@macmost Yes, files are encrypted but I can see their names and types. Thank you for your help, I appreciate it
how we have to save more files in the same password lock folder?
Is there any way that the terminal method would only password protect the file on a Mac? My Mac asked for rhe password for the zip but windows 10 didn’t. Any idea why?
There's no way that could happen. If the zip file is encrypted, you'll need the password to decrypt. Perhaps you didn't complete the process or tried with the wrong file?
@@macmost read today that this is happening on windows 10 lately with some encrypted files opening without passwords. Like I said when I finished the zip file on the Mac and tried to open it it asked me for password. Strange one. Thanks anyway.
@@ctattanmusic That can only happen if the file wasn't encrypted in the first place. There's no way for the Windows machine to "know" the key to decrypt it. A bug or something can't suddenly turn a Windows computer into a ultra-powerful encryption-cracking machine.
Is there any way to change where the image is mounted?. If i'm inside a folder, i don't want it to mount on the desktop, I'd like it to appear in the same folder where the the image is.
Images are not mounted in a location. They aren't in the Desktop folder or inside any folder at all. If under Finder, Preferences, General you have selected to show External Disks on the Desktop, then they appear there but they are not "in" the Desktop folder -- if you look in the Finder for the Desktop folder you can see it only contains files and folders, no disks or other items, as that is a special property of the Desktop. Turn this preference off and then you can just see them in the left sidebar.
@@macmost Ohh okay I see. Thanks for the quick response and great video. I'm definitively subscribing
Can you add new documents to your Disk Image ?
Set the Image Format to read/write.
Thanks. When I control click on the disk image or the open file from it -Get Info says it is read/write. But I cannot drag any type file into the open folder. I’ll try a few one just to make sure I did it correctly.
I started from the beginning and redid the disk image and made sure it was on read / write. And it’s working fine now. Thanks for your help and all of your videos.
Since the password wasn't visible. I might've typed diff passwords for enter pw and verify pw. I'm getting this error "zip error: Invalid command arguments (password verification failed)" Any tips on what to do?
If you typed different passwords, it could not have let you continue. Not sure why you are getting the error other than maybe the password isn't what you think it is.
Hi. Can you help me? Mine won't encrypt and says (stored 0%) and never changes. How can I force it to encrypt even if encrypting makes the file size larger?
Not sure what the issue could be. Try some other files. Experiment.
your file maybe further down the list…perhaps you haven’t looked
How to delete a encrypted folder created through Disk Utility?
It is just a file. Put it in the trash.
So there is no longer a way to encrypt just a single TextEdit file??
my file is corrupted after changing folder to dmg file,, please make solution video
nice
terminal keeps saying my folder is a directory...whether I drag documents or the actual folder within docs that I want to zip...
A folder is a directory. Those are two ways of referring to the same things.
@@macmost Yes, thanks, I just meant it won't proceed to do what's described in the video - "ls" won't show files and instead says "is a directory". Even dragging/dropping "documents" as shown. Reason 523 I never make use of Terminal!
When using the first method, create a BLANK Image I specified 200MB size but the resultant folder was only 100MB. Why is this happening?
Not sure. It should be 200MB. Experiment and play around with different settings to investigate.
@@macmost Appreciate the reply but at this point, I wouldn't even begin to know where to "experiment". I followed your (and others) procedure for completing this process and despite everything, the resulting folder continues to show as being only 100MB. I'm stumped???
@@rogerbeltz2370 Experiment: try different options when you create the Disk Image, APFS vs HFS+, partition options, image formats, sizes like 240 instead of 200. That sort of thing. To solve a problem you need to try things and see what happens.
If i forgot the password a mac docx how do i open it?
You probably can't. I'd imagine that Microsoft Word encrypts the file using the password as a key (if not, the password protection isn't worth much). So without the password you can't decrypt it.
Is there any way I can open these files without the pw? I forgot my pw for one and it was not saved in my keychain either.
No. If you could open them without the password, then it wouldn't be much protection. The file is actually encrypted and needs to use the password as the ket to decrypt.
@@macmost oof ok thankyou
I am interested in ext drive
how can I retrieve password and open the file if I forgot the password
If you have forgotten the password and didn't store it anywhere, then you can't. If you could, then the password protection would be useless in the first place because anyone could open it.
sir the file could be delete by others so i locked the file through terminal and now i cant add any files to it nor i know how to unlock it plz help sir!
I can't help if I don't know what you did. What did you do in Terminal?
I'm locked out of mine. Is there really nothing I can do to get back into it? I can't remember the password to save my life
If you could decrypt a file without the password, then so could anyone else, rendering the whole idea useless. Is this a file that existed before as a non-encrypted file? If so, then use your Time Machine backup to find that deleted copy.
I am not able to select the folder, could you help me with it?
In which part? What are you doing, specifically, and what happens?
@@macmost hey thnks for replying,so my problem is that after i go to files,new image and after i click image from folder.I cant choose a file.Also i wanted to know how i could use a password or fingerprint to lock a document and not a image.
@@garvsangtani2640 You need to choose a folder, not a file. So if it is a single file you want to protect, then put it in a new folder by itself and select that folder when making a disk image from a folder.
Thanks a lot. But now i'm unable to add and delete anything in this password protected .dmg drive.
Depends on which type of dmg you created. But if you need to add/delete frequently, it may not be the best solution. Hard to advise without knowing what you are trying to do, exactly.
@@macmost I created “read and write only” and I seldom need to delete and add new photos or docs.
i forgot my password and can not open my laptop
GARY... HELP HELP HELP! I password-protected a pages doc and lost the password! HELP HELP HELP!
If you started the document as a normal one, and then password-protected it later, then you can use your Time Machine backup to restore the file from before the time you added the password. Otherwise, there's nothing you can do. The encryption used wouldn't be of any use if it could be easily broken.
tHE RECIPIENT WAS UNABLE TO OPEN THE FILE
Did they enter the correct password? Did you try sending them another copy? Did they use the right method to try to open it (Disk Utility or an unzip app, depending on what you sent them?)
You can also make your own software for this using python. You guys can check it out.
It takes a little bit of python installation and that's it. It's easy once you do the python thing.
ruclips.net/video/kCs2V5DmwyM/видео.html