# Using Synk with FileVault

Synk is compatible with FileVault, but there are some matters to be careful of due to the way FileVault works.

FileVault stores a .sparseimage disk image inside the /Users folder, and when the user is logged in, mounts that disk image in /Users as well. Hence, if you are backing up your entire hard drive, or even /Users, and the encrypted user is logged in, then you will end up with two backups of your information--one in the backed up disk image, and one in the backed up home directory.

Generally, if you are using FileVault, you should restrict your backups to directories within a mounted user's folder. Only back up higher level directories if you can be sure no FileVault-using user will be logged in when the backup is run.