How to Password Protect Folders using TrueCrypt
I’m going to show you how to use TrueCrypt to create a password protected folder.
What is TrueCrypt?
TrueCrypt is a free open-source encryption program which you can than use to encrypt folders, hard drive, thumb drives.
Download TrueCrypt and install it.
Once you have the program installed, launch TrueCrypt, if you created a shortcut to your desktop click on the .exe file or find it in your Start menu.
Press the “Create Volume” button, don’t let the word “Volume” fool you, this is going to be a “folder” we can put our top secret stuff in.
Now the TrueCrypt Volume Creation Wizard dialog box will appear, by default “Create an encrypted file container” should be selected but if it’s not you can do that now. Click “Next” when done.
Volume Type, we will just leave it at the “Standard TrueCrypt volume”. Click Next.
Volume location, this is where we create the volume container, click “Select File…” and decide where you want the Volume Container to be, I will just keep it on my Desktop but you can put it where ever you want on your hard drive. You will also need to name the volume so give it a name then press “Save” when finished.
I named my container “protected folder” now I just click the “Next” button to proceed.
Encryption Options – this window will allow you to select the encryption algorithm. I will keep everything in the default settings cause those will do just fine. Click Next to move on.
Volume Size – how big do you want you file to be? This is where you need to make your decision. You are only limited to the available space you have on your hard drive. Click “Next” to move on.
Volume Password – Now the most important part, pick a good password that’s not a dictionary word or very guessable like your birthday. The box there offers some good tips for picking a password read that thoroughly.
Volume Format – move your mouse randomly in this window to increase the cryptographic strength of the encryption. Click “Format” when finished.
Your password protected container should now be ready to go.
This is what the volume container looks like on my desktop which I named “protected folder”, it doesn’t look like a folder but it is. You can put whatever you want in this container, but only up to whatever size you selected.
Read Part 2 – Access your Encrypted Folder
If you want more detailed instructions on doing this visit the TrueCrypt Beginners Guide.
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