Password protecting external drives

KingL

Hi

I currently password-protect my external drives using TruCrypt (I make a container that's the size of the drive), but I've been out of the loop for a while and I'm wondering if there is a better method.

By better, I mean:

-it would be nice if I could change the password without having to nuke the whole container

-TruCrypt is a bit sensitive - if a wobbly USB connector comes unplugged and disconnects it without unmounting the container (in Trucrypt), it freaks out, giving scary warnings about corrupted data on the next login, and prompting me to do a hour-log CHKDSK on it.

I've been out of the loop for a bit, and I was wondering if there is a new favourite bit of freeware that would let me password protect a drive. My shiny new WD drive has proprietary SW that will do it, but I want to stay away from proprietary stuff.

TIA

securityguy

Given it sounds like you're using Windows, Bitlocker? Used correctly it's got CESG accreditation up to IL3, so it's been properly evaluated.

Not your direct problem, but in OSX land, FileVault2 now handles external drivers seamlessly. You can change the password at will, but handily you can also keep the password in your Keychain.

debitcardmayhem

Even a non-encrypted drive will cause a filecheck if it is unplugged un-safely.

VoucherMan

Truecrypt passwords can be changed - at least I've changed one of mine.

Volumes -> Change Volume Password

fenlander_uk

If you want the whole drive encrypted you can do that with Truecrypt without involving a container file - just encrypt the partition. You then use 'automount devices' to mount the partition - a little quicker as you don't have to select the file first. Passwords can be changed using 'volume tools'.