- How to use veracrypt to encrypt entire usb flash drive install#
- How to use veracrypt to encrypt entire usb flash drive android#
- How to use veracrypt to encrypt entire usb flash drive software#
- How to use veracrypt to encrypt entire usb flash drive password#
The mounting of the drive may take a little while, but wait for the progress bar to finish
How to use veracrypt to encrypt entire usb flash drive password#
Then enter the unique password (that you stored somewhere safe and secure, right?) and click OK To save to and/or access the newly encrypted USB volume/drive, you will need to MOUNT the drive by first selecting it on the Veracrypt menu, as follows
How to use veracrypt to encrypt entire usb flash drive software#
Once the code generation progress bar has turned green you can select ‘Format’ from the menu, or continue until it is has reached the end, for the highest level of encryption.Ī final warning will pop up advising that all existing data will be deleted, and the new volume created in its place.ĭepending on the size of the drive to be formatted it may take several minutes for Veracrypt to fully encrypt your USB drive. Once completed the software will notify you that the encryption volume has been created.ĪCCESSING AND SAVING TO YOUR NEWLY ENCRYPTED DRIVE Move your mouse around as randomly as you can, to generate the unique security code. Once you see the Volume Format screen – you can select to ‘Quick Format’ the disk. The next screen prompt asks if you want to save file sizes large than 4GB – tick ‘Yes’ if this is the case. You will then be prompted to provide a unique Volume Password – try and make it as unique as possible using characters, symbols and numbers (but make a note of it separately, somewhere safe and secure). The Volume Size options will be presented to you in the next step, simply select the largest available option and click Next. You will then be presented with the various Encryption Options (You can select the default that is pre-selected) and click ‘Next’. If you have files or data already on the drive, that you either need or want to keep you can temporarily move/copy/backup them to your computers hard main drive. On the next screen, select the ‘ Volume Creation Mode‘ (assuming you have an empty USB drive) as this option will delete anything that is already on the drive. You will be asked to Select a Partition or Device, so select the letter for the USB Drive (that you wish to encrypt) – in the following picture it is drive: K On the next screen, select the Standard VeraCrypt Volume. Select ‘Encrypt a non-system partition/drive’ from the VeraCrypt Volume Creation Wizard. Once the new volume has been created, the existing (un-encrypted) files can then be moved into the encrypted volume/location for protection.įor the moment, we will assume that you are starting with a fresh USB drive (or have temporarily moved your files to another location, while you format and encrypt your entire USB drive) as this is the most usual method. If your USB drive is already formatted and contains existing data files, the Volume Creation Wizard can create an encrypted file ‘container’ on the USB drive, which will be in addition to any un-encrypted files. Once installed, launch the VeraCrypt software application and click on Create Volume to start the VeraCrypt Volume Creation Wizard.
How to use veracrypt to encrypt entire usb flash drive install#
The following guide is performed using Windows 10, but the principles, procedures and interface are almost identical for MacOSX, Linux, FreeBSD and Raspbian.įirst, download and install the latest version of Veracrypt software for your operating system from here:
How to use veracrypt to encrypt entire usb flash drive android#
The software is widely recognised as being stronger and more flexible than most native encryption software, and is fully cross-compatible with the major Operating Systems such as Windows, MacOSX, Linux, FreeBSD, Raspbian, Android (using ) and iOS (using ). One of the most popular encryption software available is called Veracrypt. For more important documents such as office work or sensitive information, encrypting the USB drive, with secure software and a password, is purely common sense. If the USB stick is lost or stolen, the data is protected and cannot be accessed by anyone else.
Protecting your personal data on USB memory sticks is incredibly important, even if it’s only photo’s or videos!