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TrueCrypt

By Ian Urie

Wouldn't it be nice if you could save your data and be  confident it couldn't be stolen?
Well, nothing can actually guarantee that, but , hopefully, I'm about to show you
a piece of software that can go a long way to realising it.
As per usual, click on the title to go to their website.



TrueCrypt is on the fly data encryption.
It is also free, and available on Windows, Mac and Linux.
Data encrypted on one system can be used on any of the others,
provided, of course, you aren't using different versions.



The authors state that any Truecrypt volume data will be indistinguishable from random data, if examined.
Above, I created a standard file on a memory stick using TrueCrypt.



TrueCrypt uses a variety of encryption algorithms, pick whichever suits your purpose best.
I'd recommend reading the documentation on the site FIRST, before using this app..



This app is for the paranoid amongst us.
Those who believe that their data is so sensitive that they couldn't afford anyone to see it, and don't really trust passwords.



Creating a TrueCrypt volume on a file is easy using the wizard.
As you can see, helpful tips are written on the dialogue boxes to help you in the process.
As I said, this is for the truly paranoid and it also supports a hidden operating system option as well as hidden volumes within volumes.
Confused?
Suppose you have a TrueCrypt  file volume and someone forces you to reveal the password.
Game's up?
Not quite, within the volume (which has data you aren't really all that concerned about), there is an additional hidden volume.
See what I mean?
Ludlum has made a fortune out of labyrinthian plots like this for years.



So how do you remember passwords of over 20 characters?
Bear in mind the tip from the previous grab where it recommends special characters, numbers, letters and the use of upper and lower case.
Suffice to say, you can save the password as a keyfile (of course, you would password that as well).



Encryption keys are generated by moving the mouse.
Try and move the mouse in a random pattern for at least a minute.



Formatting the volume now.



Ok, that's it done.
Now we mount the file as a volume.





Once the volume is mounted, it is seen a physical device and can be read and written to as normal.
It doesn't slow down the machine by much , although you may see a bit of lag transferring large files.



The app will also prompt you to switch off virtual memory (if you are using it under windows).
Virtual memory could mean that someone could retrieve your data from this regardless of TrueCrypt.

This really is a formidable project that does exactly what it says on the tin.
I doubt that it is needed by Joe Public, but , for those that are certain, "they" are out to get them,
it is a virtual arsenal of options to stop anyone else getting access to their data.
In the murky world of encryption, this is a wonderful piece of software.
It is transparent to the user once the file (or device) is mounted.
I have used this for a while, to try it, and haven't come across any problems with it.
I normally use it by converting  the entire memory stick as a  TrueCrypt volume.
I haven't lost any data with it, and it has copied, moved files with ease between Windows and Linux.
I haven't tried out the majority of options such as the hidden volume or operating system, but feel confident that these will work as the the parts I've used have.
For the casual user, it is simplicity to set up.
Download it from the site and have a read through the documentation.