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3/28/2015 8:32:30 PM EDT
I've got a flash drive that has all of my personal info and scans of every important document I have such as College Degrees, Birth Certs, Soc Sec, ETC. It lives in the safe, but I would like to encrypt it as well. I know NOTHING about this. How do I do this?



I am running Windows 8, but it would be great if the drive would work in any computer. Options?
3/28/2015 8:35:20 PM EDT
[#1]
I would go with the next to last release of TrueCrypt, 7.1.a
3/28/2015 8:37:45 PM EDT
[#2]
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Quoted:
I would go with the next to last release of TrueCrypt, 7.1.a
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This. Don't use 7.2 version. You're going to want to install it and then create a portable USB from the program I believe.

ETA: Try this guide: http://helpdeskgeek.com/how-to/create-a-portable-version-of-truecrypt-part-ii/

ETA2: you can download truecrypt from here: https://www.grc.com/misc/truecrypt/truecrypt.htm
3/28/2015 8:39:02 PM EDT
[#3]
Quote History
Quoted:


This. Don't use 7.2 version. You're going to want to install it and then create a portable USB from the program I believe.
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Quoted:
Quoted:
I would go with the next to last release of TrueCrypt, 7.1.a


This. Don't use 7.2 version. You're going to want to install it and then create a portable USB from the program I believe.

Why not 7.2

Isn't true crypt discontinued
3/28/2015 8:39:42 PM EDT
[#4]
There are flash drives out there that you buy as a hardware encrypted device that you could use on any machine you plug it into
3/28/2015 8:41:08 PM EDT
[#5]
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Quoted:
Why not 7.2

Isn't true crypt discontinued
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It is discontinued but 7.1a is the last known good version before the sudden disappearance of the project. It's also the version that is being audited publicly.
3/28/2015 8:43:50 PM EDT
[#6]

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Quoted:





Why not 7.2



Isn't true crypt discontinued
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Quoted:



Quoted:


Quoted:

I would go with the next to last release of TrueCrypt, 7.1.a




This. Don't use 7.2 version. You're going to want to install it and then create a portable USB from the program I believe.


Why not 7.2



Isn't true crypt discontinued




7.2 is compromised,  I remember the thread on it last year http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_1_5/1628753__ARCHIVED_THREAD____TrueCrypt_software___back_in_Switzerland___update_in_OP.html&page=1



 
3/28/2015 8:50:00 PM EDT
[#7]
I use truecrypt 7.1 on my desktop computer, laptop, and externals. It works. Random crackheads can't steal my computers or flash drives and get my personal stuff. That's why I use it.

Bit of a pain to set up but well worth it.
3/28/2015 8:53:50 PM EDT
[#8]
Uh, please make sure you have multiple copies. With flash drives at least three different ones.

Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile
3/28/2015 8:53:51 PM EDT
[#9]
Whatever you do make multiple backup copies. USB flash drives like to die at the worst times.

Beat by one second!
3/28/2015 9:02:13 PM EDT
[#10]
I'd recommend a cloud based storage setup, Dropbox is fairly easy and combined with Truecrypt is good, no worry about a usb drive going tits up.
3/28/2015 9:14:09 PM EDT
[#11]
If it's in a safe why bother?


If a family member needed the stuff because you were injured how would they get this data? I would rethink this
3/28/2015 9:32:58 PM EDT
[#12]
interesting
3/28/2015 9:34:52 PM EDT
[#13]
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Quoted:
Uh, please make sure you have multiple copies. With flash drives at least three different ones.

Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile
View Quote



This. I've had three flash drives die on me, even though I docked and undocked them correctly.


3/28/2015 10:28:15 PM EDT
[#14]

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Quoted:


If it's in a safe why bother?





If a family member needed the stuff because you were injured how would they get this data? I would rethink this
View Quote
Good point. I was also wanting to encrypt the copy that I keep in my "get home bag" that I keep in my car in case I need it while I am out...which is a lot with my jobs. THAT one is the one I am really interested in encrypting. It stays on my keychain. Why I didn't mention that one in the beginning, nobody knows....



 
3/28/2015 10:29:14 PM EDT
[#15]
What about Iron Key drives?







Any opinions?






3/28/2015 10:39:14 PM EDT
[#16]
TrueCrypt 7.1a is a handy utility. You can use it on Windows, Mac and Linux. I use it on all three.

Create a file/volume that is bigger than you need. Encrypt the shit out of it and give it a good key. You can use a phrase, something like "iron horse battery good" or "Fucking Debbie in a Toyota"... something that isn't just a single word or gobblygook password. Once you set up the volume, you mount it with the TrueCrypt utility. It'll show up as it's own drive letter in Windows. Copy your shit into it, then unmount it and it's encrypted.

As many have said, keep multiple copies of the file. I have a volume I put a lot of financial shit in, and I keep a copy on a USB drive, my phone, my MacBook, my desktop and MS One Drive.



It'll be nice when someone comes out with something that will replace TrueCrypt, but still have the same functionality, cross platform support and ease of use. I'll pay some money for it.