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Andrey “Rarst” Savchenko —  — Software — file, skribit, xkcd

TrueCrypt helps you hide files and pretend you didn’t

truecrypt_icon

Skribit widget clearing:

  • “ClipNabber is online download service” just did a post on ClipNabber when this came;
  • “A free iPod Video Converter” sorry, I hadn’t ever owned an iPod. Please refer to IpodMe video converter highly recommended by Samer of Freeware Genius;
  • “Full disk/folder encryption for netbooks. Kernel version in Eeebuntu NBR 2.0 is apparently too low” not sure what kernel version has to do with this.

So lets talk about encryption. When talking about encryption software it usually means TrueCrypt.

What it does

TrueCrypt is popular open source and cross-platform encryption software. It works with containers that are mounted as drives in operating system or can completely encrypt hard drive.

truecrypt_volume

truecrypt_volume

Features

  • on-the-fly encryption, files in TrueCrypt container are encrypted full auto, no need to decrypt and encrypt file to work with it;
  • multiply encryption algorithms and even chains of them;
  • containers as files or hard drive partitions, including bootable ones.

Deniability

One of the core TrueCrypt features is making impossible to detect encrypted container as such. All data inside of container looks like binary garbage with no way to identify it as TrueCrypt container at all.

This principle allows advanced features such as containers that show different content for different password (again – without any way to detect if such hidden sub-container is present) or even whole bootable and hidden operating system.

Portable

TrueCrypt relies on system driver to perform its functions. So user must have administrator rights or it must be previously installed by user with such rights.

Such requirements really clash with pure portable definition, still TrueCrypt features traveler mode aimed at operation from flash drives.

Overall

I am not using encryption extensively so this post is less than scratching surface. TrueCrypt is complex and powerful program for sensitive data storage so I advise you to be careful with its usage and read documentation.

Home http://www.truecrypt.org/

Download http://www.truecrypt.org/downloads.php

Documentation http://www.truecrypt.org/docs/

Oh, and encryption topic demands that I remind you of following:

XKCD Security

Comic by XKCD

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2 Comments

  • Seelenwahnsinn #

    It is indeed a powerful and really useful way to storage your sensitive data. I've been using it for over one year from now and it's truly great, but you have to be careful if you decide do use a Hidden Volume. I lost all my files the day I drunkly decided that my HD was a mess and it needed to be defragged (I know they say that's not really wise but that was the power of two bottles and a half of wine). From that day on I've sticked to plain Volumes and it's working perfectly. I've read about FreeOTFE and I might try it someday, but right now I'm really satisfied with TrueCrypt. And I don't think drugging would be a good idea to get someone revealing a complex password. The wrench, on the other hand... ;)

  • Rarst #

    @Seelenwahnsinn Yeah, that's why call for being careful in post. I had heard quite a few stories about people encrypting their data "really well" to the point of losing it. :(