How do you password protect a folder or external hard drive

sixtiesgal_2

Hi, I am struggling with this and would like some advice. I want to know how to put a password on an external hard drive or memory stick or at least a folder. I know there is software you can download like Truecrypt but this seems to only protect the computer.

I have some personal documents I want to keep on my external hard drive, I want it protected so that if anyone were to get hold of the hard drive they wouldn't be able to access the contents from any computer. I can only find how to password protect a Word document but not a full folder or a whole hard drive.

Thank you for any help.

closed

truecrypt has the option to create an encrypted container file on any drive

or

you could create an aes password protected zip file using 7zip

I suggest you back it up on your main pc/laptop, in case it gets corrupted.

Toxteth_OGrady

[STRIKE]http://www.rohos.com/products/rohos-mini-drive/[/STRIKE]

Disregard - misread that OP wanted to password protect a USB stick.

prowla

You can encrypt and password a file or a complete drive with TrueCrypt.

sixtiesgal_2

Thanks how do you do this with Truecrypt, I have downloaded it but can't see how to protect a drive.

td_007

sixtiesgal wrote: »

Thanks how do you do this with Truecrypt, I have downloaded it but can't see how to protect a drive.

In True Crypt, under Settings select either
1. "Create an encrypted file container" where you can create a file with any name and also give it any extension (eg filename.pdf) but when you open it via TrueCrypt it will open as normal. The file will open as a drive and you can transfer files to it.
or
2. "encrypt a non-system partition/drive" - also rather straightforward.

Personally, I prefer (1)

prowla

The danger with encrypting an entire drive is that every time you insert it, Windows will ask if you want to format it.

marisa

Get 7zip, fopllow this video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zgJKEHOIPuM

Use a password that is random letters numbers caps and longer than 8 characters if you want to be sure no brute force can ever guess it.

You will have to unzip it everytime you want to use it though..do you need frequent access to the files?

hanwellmike

I tried Truecrypt and it does work but found it more convenient just to buy a USB drive with password protection built in. I bought a Kingston Data Traveller Locker + and I am happy with it. Not expensive. You have to enter a password every time you plug it in. As far as I know it will provide good protection against intruders should it fall into the wrong hands. Apparently the Drive locks down and reformats after 10 intrusion attempts.
I also have some Sandisk USB drives which incorporate password protection and it's possible you could download password protection software free from Sandisk website.

prowla

hanwellmike wrote: »

I tried Truecrypt and it does work but found it more convenient just to buy a USB drive with password protection built in. I bought a Kingston Data Traveller Locker + and I am happy with it. Not expensive. You have to enter a password every time you plug it in. As far as I know it will provide good protection against intruders should it fall into the wrong hands. Apparently the Drive locks down and reformats after 10 intrusion attempts.
I also have some Sandisk USB drives which incorporate password protection and it's possible you could download password protection software free from Sandisk website.

So, if somebody tried to access your data 10 times then it deletes the data...

hanwellmike

prowla wrote: »

So, if somebody tried to access your data 10 times then it deletes the data...

Yes that is my understanding. Obviously I do not share my USB drive with anybody as it does contain personal data, so the only time this could occur would be if I lost the drive, in which case I would want all my data deleted.

Sandisk also sell some USB drives with password protection built in and they also provide a free download of this software (Secure Access) from their website. Presumably this only works on Sandisk drives though. http://www.sandisk.com/products/software/secureaccess/