Jun 27, 2019 Encryption Apps. While simple encryption managers protect the files on your USB drive, they cannot encrypt the entire gadget or a partition. On the other hand, the software in the following sections helps you protect the whole drive and allows for. Apr 18, 2019 How to format an SD card on your Mac; Use Finder to encrypt USB drives on MacBook. As of macOS Mojave, you can easily encrypt and decrypt generic mass storage devices on-the-go using Finder. This uses XTS-AES encryption, which is the same type of encryption.
It only takes a little time to encrypt and decrypt the data. There are various tools on the market and many varieties of developers and companies that offer them. However, the best advice you can get is to only use free and open-source encryption software. Here are some of them. Best USB Encryption Software to Secure your Pen Drive in 2020. Apr 09, 2020 SanDisk SecureAccess v3.02 is a fast, simple way to store and protect critical and sensitive files on SanDisk USB flash drives. Access to your private vault is protected by a personal password, and your files are automatically encrypted - so even if you share your SanDisk® USB flash drive or it becomes lost or stolen, access to your files are.
Oct 07, 2016 Best Encryption Software for Mac. Now let’s take the direction of our discussion towards Mac, Apple’s prolific desktop OS that certainly isn’t invulnerable to hacking threat. Here are a few available options to ensure the security of your data on it. Mac users should go with Concealer encryption software.
By Nicole Sioni
We can lock our phones, our cars, and our computers, but did you know that you can secure your flash drive, too? USB flash drive encryption is a simple way to ensure your private data remains protected. Encryption is a method for restricting access to your flash drive either by software or hardware installed on the drive that requires a key to unlock.
The function of many USB drives in today's Internet centric market is to offer cold data storage, which does not require an internet connection to provide access to your data and is generally thought of as more secure from virtual attacks. Flash drives are attractive options for people who need ready access to their business documents on the go without an internet connection or need sizable data capacity on hand.
The unfortunate reality of flash drives is that they can be physically lost or stolen, and so it is therefore extremely important to protect your valuable information. There are plenty of anecdotes of foolish travelers who put their whole lives on one drive only to lose it and expose all their sensitive information.
Hardware vs. Software Encryption for your USB Drive
You can easily buy USB drives with encryption hardware; these drives utilize a chip that offers automatic and invisible encryption. Quite often these drives utilize a physical pin pad to enter a pin code and many come with other security features such as automatic overwrites in the event of too many pass code errors. Due to these factors, they tend to be on the higher side of pricing compared to normal drives but like most popular tech, prices are falling. Amazon offers a simpler model from Kingston at 3.0 USB speed for only $24 but you can easily see fancier and more luxurious models and brands rocketing upwards to around $90.
Unfortunately, hardware encrypted USB drives are not immune to failure. Most large brand name OEMs, including SanDisk, Kingston, Verbatim, and Trek have turned out drives that have failed security standards. To our knowledge, these security flaws have been remedied.
On the other hand, software encrypted USB drives are as cheap as whatever drive you use is. Encryption software is inexpensive, if not free, and often is included with desktop platforms. They perform just as well as hardware encrypted drives do, provided the platform you plug into supports the software installed on your drive and you aren't careless with your pass code. The downside is that it takes a little bit of time to encrypt them yourself, you can't use it on a computer that doesn't use the same software, and if you're not tech savvy you may not feel confident doing it yourself. Our included steps to encrypting your own USB drive are just the boost you need!
In the end, both options offer security without reducing functionality of your drive. It becomes a matter of what works best for you and your needs. Software encryption is cheaper and often performs just as well but is prone to potential problems like software issues and user error. Hardware encryption is less prone to user error and is often more reliable in performance though expensive in comparison.
If you've decided to go the software route, we've included some handy steps to creating your very own encrypted USB drive below.
Steps
There are many ways how to encrypt a flash drive yourself but they all essentially boil down to the same steps: installing software, enabling it, and locking it with a decryption code. We've included steps for both PC and MAC computers. Hack facebook password download mac.
Windows
For a PC running Windows, we'll show you how to use BitLocker (included software in Windows operating systems 7 and above) and another popular program, VeraCrypt. Dropbox mac hack. You will need: A blank USB drive, a computer with BitLocker installed, and some time.
How to encrypt a USB drive in Windows (7-10) using BitLocker:
- Connect blank USB drive; if it's not blank, then move data from it
- Open your File Explorer and find your USB drive on the left (usually named after manufacturer).
- Right click on your drive and choose 'Turn on BitLocker'
- BitLocker will launch and ask you to 'Choose how you want to unlock this drive,' check 'Use a password to unlock the drive'
- Enter a strong password twice
- Next, you will be asked 'How do you want to back up your recovery key?' Either save to a file on the computer you're using or print it (you can do both)
- Next, choose 'Encrypt used disk space only' (if you haven't removed files like in step 1, choose 'Encrypt entire drive')
- Now choose 'Compatible mode' so you have the maximum compatibility with other devices and computers
- Select 'Start encrypting'
- Do not remove your drive during this process. It may take some time to encrypt. You will get a message stating encryption is finished
When you connect your flash drive again, you will be prompted to enter the password you chose.
Note: You will not be able to use this drive on a computer that does not have BitLocker installed.
To encrypt using VeraCrypt:
- Download VeraCrypt from their official website
- Run the program, hit 'Install' and then 'Next'
- Hit 'Okay' to complete installation when prompted
- Connect blank USB drive
- Launch VeraCrypt and click 'Create Volume' to initiate the Volume Creation Wizard
- Select 'Encrypt a non-system partition or drive' and then 'Next'
- Under Volume Type select 'Standard VeraCrypt volume' and then 'Next'
- In Volume Location window, click 'Select Drive' and choose your USB drive and then 'Okay'
- Click 'Next'
- In Volume Creation mode window, select 'Create encrypted volume and format it' and then 'Next' (If you have data on the drive already, click 'Encrypt partition in place' instead but this is much slower)
- On the Encryption Options page, choose the algorithm and Hash algorithm that you want. If you're not sure, choose AES for encryption algorithm and SHA-256 for the Hash algorithm then click 'Next'
- On the Volume Size window, simply hit 'Next' (you can't change the container size!)
- On the Volume Password window, input a strong password twice and hit 'Next'
- On the Volume Format window, randomly move your mouse until the progress bar turns green; then click 'Format'
- A warning window will pop up; click 'Yes'
- The drive will now begin to format and encrypt; once finished a notification window will pop up to let you know; hit 'Okay' and you're done!
Note: You will not be able to use this drive on a computer that does not have BitLocker installed. ALSO Windows may believe that your drive is damaged and ask you to format the drive; ignore this warning.
How to encrypt a USB drive on Mac
Like PC, Mac generally includes encryption software in their desktops already so you will not have to download another software program.
- Insert USB flash drive and move all files off drive into safe location, like your desktop
- Open Finder and look for Disk Utility under Applications
- Choose your device from the left hand list
- Go to the Erase tab, choose 'Mac OS Extended (Journaled)' in the Format box; choose a name
- Click on Erase button to delete all data on drive
- When completed, open File menu, click on New and then 'Blank Disk Image'
- The save location should be your USB Drive name
- Select a size closet to the capacity of your USB drive but make it smaller. Then, choose either '128 bit' or '256 bit' AES encryption. With Partitions, choose 'Single Partition'
- Go to Image Format and click on Read/write disk image; Click 'Create'
- Input a strong password or use the password generator to create one for you (the key icon). You can also set a password hint. Keep copy of password safe elsewhere
- Copy files to drive and put them on the DMG disk image file. They will not be password protected if they are not in that file.
How to encrypt a USB drive using Linux
Like Mac and Windows, Linux uses third party tools that are often already available on your computer. To encrypt a drive using a Linux computer, we'll show you to how use Disk Utility. Not all systems have Disk Utility (or even a GUI) installed; make sure you have it first before proceeding.
- Connect your flash drive and copy your data elsewhere. Your drive should be completely wiped.
- Go to your dashboard Home and enter 'Disk Utility'
- Select your USB drive
- Click 'Unmount Volume' so you can format before encryption
- Click 'Format Drive' and wait
- Click 'Create Partition' and either encrypt the full disk or create a portion
- Check the 'Encrypt underlying device' give it a name and then 'Create'
- Next, create a pass code; click 'Create'
- Disconnect your USB drive; when you connect again a dialogue box will appear asking for your pass code
Note: You will only be able to use this encrypted USB drive on Linux computers!
Additional USB Drive Security Tips
Security and protection of your sensitive data should be your top priority. Here are some more security tips regarding your encrypted USB drive:
- If you want to re-use your drive for something else not so sensitive, make sure to erase all data once you are done using it for secure purposes
- Keep your encryption key and encrypted drive separately—and of course, don't lose the key!
- Keep an emergency backup decryption key
- If your drive malfunctions and you cannot fix it, it's best to physically destroy the drive in such a way that it cannot be repaired and infiltrated
Obviously, this last tip is aimed at users who store extremely sensitive information on their drives, but never the less, it's better to practice safe data handling regardless of the content of your drives. With these security tips and a well encrypted USB drive, you can finally travel with the peace of mind that your information is protected.
16 Free USB Encryption tools to Password Protect Your USB Drive: – Most of us love to own things that require less space and are easy to carry. Considering that we are on the go most of the times in this fast paced life, having a portable alternative is always a big solace. So when it comes to our computer data even in that case we would rather prefer to save it in the USB drives which are compact and portable.
USB drives are the perfect solution to save or backup any digital data that can be conveniently carried wherever you go. Moreover, using these pen drives you can also transfer data between computers.
While the USB flash drives are the most popular portable storage mediums based on the convenience and reliability, they are also prone to get lost, stolen or damaged. Twitter hacking method mac pro. And, if you had any sensitive or private data in the USB it can be a great matter of concern. Hence, encryption of your USB drive becomes extremely imperative.
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Encryption is a process of protecting information to prevent access by other users unless they have the password to unlock it. It is basically a process to protect highly confidential documents; however, it can be used by anyone to maintain the privacy of their stuff.
Also read:Top free software to password lock your folder
Therefore, today in this post we will let you know about the top free USB encryption software utilities that are available to download for free online that help you to not only encrypt your data but can also be locked with a password. This will help secure your data even if you forget your device somewhere ensuring that no one is able to manipulate your confidential data.
Rohos Disk Encryption
Rohos Disk Encryption is another powerful freeware by Rohos that helps prevent any external or unauthorized access to your USB data by creating concealed and secured partitions on your PC, and also by providing a password lock option. The other excellent features offered by this tool are:
- Automatic and on-the-fly encryption.
- Creating a backup with the help of the partition password reset option in case you forget your password or misplace the USB code.
- Easy to use as you can enable your first encrypted drive in just a single click.
- Offers you a unlimited number of extra encryption space.
- Allows you to use a USB drive to access all the protected disks automatically
- Lets you keep a secured partition on a USB drive and then use it on any PC.
- Enables you to open the secured documents directly from the MS Word or Excel
- Does not need you to have administrator privileges to use your virtual drive on a USB
- Allows you to expand a virtually encrypted partition anytime
- Conceals you’re your protected disk in a media container like MP3, WMA, AVI and others.
Price: Free
Compatibility: All Windows versions
Download: http://www.rohos.com/products/rohos-disk-encryption/
USB Flash Security
USB Flash Security helps enhance your potential to protect all your sensitive data in the USB device and prevent it from getting stolen. Code to hack wifi password. It is a portable app from Japan that can offer AES 256-bit encryption choices up to 4GB in its free adaptation.
- It is a lightweight application that is very efficient and useful in saving data
- Gets installed super quick
- Works with any USB stick type
- Requires admin rights for PC use
Price: Free
Compatibility: Windows XP, Windows 2003
Download: http://kashu-sd.co.jp/en/
USB Safeguard
If you wish to protect your sensitive files with a password, USB Safeguard can be your best option. This freeware is a portable solution with AES 256-bit encryption that is used to protect confidential data on a virtual drive like, a USB drive, memory card, SSD and hard drive.
- Data is strongly protected and can be only recovered with the correct key
- Encrypted partitions has a limit of up to 2GB for the free edition
- Functions right from the drive and hence does not require to be installed
- No requirement of admin rights
- User-friendly with a compact size of just 535.5KB
Price: Free
Compatibility: Windows XP/Vista/7/8/10
Download: http://usbsafeguard.altervista.org/
DiskCryptor
DiskCryptor is an open source application that helps encrypt all data that also includes system partitions. It works perfectly with Truecrypt which is another well-known open-source disk encryption tool.
- File size is as small as 590 KB
- Helps encrypt all drives
- Easy to use application
- Apart from USB drives the encrypted containers can also be for CDS, DVDs, and internal drives
- Supports different types of algorithms like Twofish and AES
- Functions on both 32 bit and 64 bit Windows system
- Offers a detailed Home page with abundance of information
Price: Free
Compatibility: Windows 7, Windows 8 Desktop, Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2008, Windows Vista, Windows XP/windows 10
Download: https://diskcryptor.net/wiki/Main_Page
StorageCrypt
With an extremely user-friendly interface that’s as easy as a cakewalk for the first timers, StorageCrypt encrypts and protects your USB drive, external hard drives or flash drives with a strong password.
- Works on 128 bit AES encryption for enhanced protection
- Allows you to create passwords up to 50 characters
- Portable and does not need any installation
- Offers encryption of external drive.
Price: Free
Compatibility: All Windows platforms
Download: http://www.storagecrypt.com/
Gili USB Stick Encryption
Gili USB Stick Encryption is an extremely efficient software that helps provide a faster solution, file sharing, portability and even backup files. You can encrypt your USB flash drive using this application effortlessly.
- Easy to use and a complete tool targeted for the protection of your USB device
- Ability to create a partition between the external drive post encryption
- Transforms a normal USB drive into a protected drive pretty quickly
- Secure area data is encrypted by on-the-fly 256-bit AES
- Can be installed and uninstalled fast
- Alerts you on the password strength
- Removes everything on the USB stick during the installation process.
Price: Free trial period with a maximum limit of 10 usages
Compatibility: Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista, and XP
Download: http://gilisoft.com/product-usb-stick-encryption.htm
SafeHouse Explorer
Launched in 2009, SafeHouse Explorer is a straightforward application that helps protect your sensitive files. It’s an easy to use program that uses passwords of maximum strength and 256-bit encryption to entirely conceal your private data that includes images, databases, videos, spreadsheets etc.
- It is a portable tool that is easy to carry and compact enough to fit into a USB flash drive
- Protects file saved on any drive that includes CDs and DVDs, external USB drives, memory sticks, iPods and even network servers
- Creates hidden secret storage zones on external media device or local hard drive to store your private data
- Files are completely hidden unless password entered which can be then accessed using the drag-and-drop feature.
Price: Free
Download: http://www.safehousesoftware.com/SafeHouseExplorer.aspx
VeraCrypt
Talking of free encryption software, VeraCrypt protects your confidential data super efficiently. While it encrypts your hard disk perfectly along with securing your USB drive, it offers many other advanced features.
- Creates password locked disk volumes that are encrypted with encrypted algorithms like, Twofish, AES and Serpent
- Protect the encrypted volumes with the help of key files and passwords
- Encrypted USB drive can be further accessed by setting it through VeraCrypt once the required password is keyed in
Price: Free
Compatibility: Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista, and XP; Mac OS X 10.6 and above, Linux
Download: https://veracrypt.codeplex.com/
LaCie Private-Public
LaCie Private-Public is an extremely simple software that provides excellent encryption to your USB devices. Encrypting becomes a smooth process for your USB flash drives and the fact that it is a compact app it can be executed directly from the flash drive. Simply point out the flash drive disk size that you wish to encrypt with the password along and LaCie Private-Public will encrypt the drive using the 256-bit AES algorithm.
- Easy to use
- Does not need to be installed
- Allows you to protect your private that includes, images, passwords, documents and other confidential information
- Reliable and super quick
Price: Free
Compatibility: Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, Mac OS X 10.5–10.9, Windows 10
Download: http://www.lacie.com/as/en/products/software/private-public/
Kakasoft USB Security
The best part about Kakasoft USB security is that even though it does not offer loads of other features, it works great to simply encrypt your USB flash drive. Just like the LaCie Private-Public software, it is entirely self-contained in the USB flash drive.
- The tool installs itself on its own on the USB drive and can be set to function automatically each the device is plugged in
- Along with USB drives, it also supports other devices like memory cards and external drives
- At the mere specification of the encryption password, the utility will encrypt the drive completely along with any other data inside it
- You can access the encrypted data by the same procedure of unlocking with password and mounting via the app.
Price: Free download available up to 1.5MB
Compatibility: Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista, and XP
Download: http://www.kakasoft.com/usb-security/
BitLocker To Go
BitLocker To Go is a Microsoft Windows utility that helps you to encrypt your private files on your USB drive without needing any other software along with it. It is built in directly into certain versions of Windows and can be configured in a jiffy with the help of the BitLocker Drive Encryption app on the Control Panel.
- It is an extremely easy to use application
- USB drives are encrypted via the 256-bit AES algorithm
- A forgotten password can be recovered using the automatically generated recovery key that can be saved in a file or can be synchronized with Microsoft account
- Provides a reliable method of USB data encryption
Price: Free
Compatibility: Windows 8.1 Pro and Windows 8.1 Enterprise editions
iSafe USB Security
An updated version that is available to download for free, iSafe USB Security allows you to password protect your USB flash drives, memory cards, external drives and USB disks in just one click.
- Prevents your sensitive data to be stolen with solid encryption
- Offers standalone EXE data security
- No installation needed
- Data is automatically encrypted and gets decrypted only when used
- The USB devices play automatically on plugging in
- Easy to use and offers innovative features
Price: Free
Compatibility: Windows 2000/XP/2003/Vista/Server 2008/7/8/10
Download: http://www.isafesoft.com/usb-security/
File Secure Free
Secure your private files and protect your privacy with File Secure Free. While it can lock your sensitive files with a solid password restricting access by other users, it allows you to makes use of its safe File Shedding functionality during removal of important files.
- Uses AES encryption algorithm of military standard
- Password locks the USB drive and any other compact devices using USB Lockup feature
- Backup files and folders with File Backup feature and store them on your preferred location or on external hard drives.
Price: Free
Compatibility: Windows 2000/XP/Vista/7/ Windows 10
Download: http://download.cnet.com/File-Secure-Free/3000-2092_4-75729419.html
Best Encryption Software For Pc
SecurStick
If you are looking for a portable encryption software utility for your media device, SecurStick is the perfect solution for you. It uses 256-bit AES encryption to protect the data stored on the USB drive or another removable device.
- Does not require an administrator to run the app on your workstation
- Even though the web page is in German, you can get it translated using the Google translation option located at the top right-hand corner
- Apart from English and German, the web page can also be read in Italian
Price: Free
Usb Encryption Software Mac And Pc Download
Compatibility: Windows XP/Vista/7/10
Download: http://www.withopf.com/tools/securstick/
Cryptainer LE
Powered with a 448-bit strong encryption, Cryptainer is a free software utility that provides a robust and comprehensive protection to your private data.
![Mac Mac](/uploads/1/3/3/8/133847036/194953003.jpg)
- Creates an encrypted disk volume that helps save any type of information
- Offers a simple option to drag and drop the data you want to be protected
- Works perfectly well with both 32 bit and 64-bit versions
- It also has a mobile version that encrypts information on any media including USB drives, Flash Disk and CD-ROMS
- Help to send secure emails
- Absolutely free of cost that never expires
Price: Free
Compatibility: Windows 95, 98, ME, 2000, 2003 Server, XP, Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8.1, Windows 10
Download: http://www.cypherix.com/cryptainerle/
Rohos Mini Drive
A user-friendly, portable, lightweight and a powerful USB encryption software, Rohos Mini Drive not only helps you to protect your USB data through the partition but also throws in some real good additional features.
- Allows you to password lock and encrypt your confidential data
- Offers on-the-fly and automatic encryption
- Lets you use an encrypted partition on any computer without the need of installing the software
- Secures sensitive information located in the registry, temp folders, recent list of documents and more
- Allows you to protect the hotkeys to an encrypted disk from a keylogger
- Free version limits the encryption size of up to 8GB
Price: Free
Compatibility: Windows 7/ 8/10
Download: www.rohos.com
I find passion in writing Tech articles around Windows PC and softwares
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