Does anyone actually use file vault in the security settings?

[Buerkletucson]

That is

To answer your question - Another question: Does the FBI (or NSA, etc) currently have the tools to either break, or bypass the encryption in FileVault2?...
The current thinking (as I understand it) is that there is no "backdoor" into FileVault - and no "front door", without the FileVault password. If you can make your passcode more challenging, then that passcode or passphrase quickly becomes impractical to break.
My understanding is that all assumes data that is important at a personal/small business level, and not necessarily at a government/top security level - you would likely be using higher level encryption solutions - which, I think, makes your question more of a philosophical exercise, like a "Can God make a rock so heavy that God can't lift it" question.

It does look pretty secure according to this....

http://www.macworld.com/article/288...ilevault-2-and-why-you-absolutely-should.html

This has made some law-enforcement officials unhappy, who seemingly don’t want your data to be protected this strongly, so they can get access in the unlikely event that they need it. Relatively few people engage in criminal activities, and of them, even fewer ever have their computers seized and examined. It’s a good sign as to how well FileVault 2 works that officials are so morose about it.

 

[Max(IT)]

And wouldn't that affect performance?

not in a significant way

FileVaut in my experience tends to wear out drives faster. Seen plenty of SSDs which were filled to the brim with data + FV2 enabled suffer data loss (SSD fails,bricks). Either way you should back up your information but FileVault may result in more wear. Seems to have gotten better with newer drives but either way, make sure you're backing up + encrypting your backup.

that's not about FV.
You don't have to fill up an SSD drive, never.
Leave always a 20-30% of free space if you want it to last.