Using TrueCrypt to encrypt an external drive?

[Crow550]

Okay so load up TrueCrypt then click Tools & select Travler Disk Setup....

Then Create Volume & select Encrypt a non-system partition/drive.

Standard TrueCrypt volume.

Select drive, then select Create encrypted volume and format it.

Encryption Algorithm: Twofish-Serpent <-- strongest?

What do I do for the rest?


Is this correct?

Any tips or suggestions?

I want it encrypted but I also want to be able to use it on other computers.

 

[Crow550]

Anyone know?

 

[lxskllr]

Originally posted by: Crow550
Anyone know?

I've never used it. A good way to practice might be on a thumb drive. That way you could try it out, and it would be quick and painless to check it.

 

[frozentundra123456]

I used this program once to encrypt a partition in an external drive; what you are doing sounds correct. If you truly did encrypt the partition then it will show up in "my computer", but if you try to open it, you will get a message that the partition is not formatted. Of course answer no to the "do you want to format" question. To access the encrypted partition, you have to launch Tru Crypt and then "select device" and select the encrypted partition. The program will then assign the partition another drive letter.Then click "mount" and it will prompt you for the password. The encrypted partition will then show up with a new drive letter in "my computer" and you can access it as usual. To remove the device or shut down the computer, open Tru Crypt, click on the drive letter assigned by TruCrypt, and click dismount. You can then remove the external drive and shut down. You can use an encrypted drive on any other computer, but you will of course have to have TruCrypt installed on that computer in order to access the encrypted partition.

 

[Crow550]

Ah I figured it out....

Encrypting the entire drive will not help if traveling. Unless I bring Truecrypt on a cd.

So. Instead just create a encrypted volume on the unencrypted drive and then leave room for the traveler stuff like 1mb or 2mb. So when I hook it to someones computer I have have truecrypt run off the drive and ask to log into the encrypted drive. I get it now.

I think AES should be fine? Hard to define which one is the "best".


How does Bitlocker differ from Truecrypt?

 

[Chiefcrowe]

AES should be fine but you can use multiple algorithms for additional security. if you want to use 3 at once that should be more than enough.

i've never used bitlocker but i don't think it has nearly as many options.

 

[mparr1708]

Bitlocker is MS's implementation of whole disk encryption. What youa re doing here is just creating an encrypted volume. Two totally different things. Truecrypt can be used for whole disk encryption as well though. Truecrypt is widely respected and is a good bit of software.

And yes AES is fine for most users. It isn't the absolute top end for security but it is a good mix of speed and security. If it were my data I'd be ok with AES 256 and I work in InfoSec.

MP

 

[Crow550]

I'm just doing this in case my external drive got jacked while traveling.

 

[Crow550]

Hrmmm.....Any advantage in formatting the drive as a TrueCrypt volume vs having a encrypted file container on the external drive?

 

[blackangst1]

Originally posted by: Chiefcrowe
AES should be fine but you can use multiple algorithms for additional security. if you want to use 3 at once that should be more than enough.

i've never used bitlocker but i don't think it has nearly as many options.

It's a side point, but Im going to disagree with you. Cascading, realistically, even for top secret, doesnt provide any additional security, since AES cannot be broken.

Originally posted by: Crow550
Any advantage in formatting the drive as a TrueCrypt volume vs having a encrypted file container on the external drive?

Not from a security standpoint, no. The advantage to a container, though, is it's portable. Drag and drop it anywhere.

 

[Chiefcrowe]

Fair enough... so then is there any advantage to cascading?