Creating a Truecrypt volume to protect your files TMS exclusive tutorial by Mave
Say you have got really important files (or files you don't want somebody to ever see), then encryption is a great way to protect these files.
For this guide I'm going to be using Truecrypt, because it's a great and free encryption program.
Part 1: Creating the volume
Step 1: Download and install Truecrypt
http://www.truecrypt.org/downloads
Step 2: Open Truecrypt
You should get something like this
Now click "Create Volume".
Step 3: Select Create an encrypted file container
Because this is what the tutorial is about.
Step 4: Select Volume Type
Select "Standard Truecrypt Volume".
Click "next".
Step 5: Select a volume file
Click "select file" and navigate to where you want to put your volume, then enter a name you will remember (myvolume for example) the file does not need to have an extension.
Click "save".
Step 6: Encryption Options
Select an algorithm (I went for AES)
Click "test" and then click "Auto-Test All".
If all the self-tests of the algorithms passed, press "Close".
Now select a hash algorithm (I went for SHA-512).
And click "next".
Step 7: Volume Size
How big do you want to make your protected volume? It's up to you.
Select a size and click "next".
Step 8: Volume Password
For obvious reasons, select a strong password. (Truecrypt recommends +20 characters).
Click "next".
Step 9: Volume Format
Move your mouse around the screen, the longer you do this, the better the cryptographic strength of the encryption keys. After 10-15 seconds, click "Format".
This process might take a while depending on your volume size.
Step 10: Your volume has been created
When the formatting is completed, you will get this message.
Click "OK".
You're now ready to go.
Click "next" and then "cancel" (we don't want to create another volume right now)
Part 2: Opening the volume
Step 1: Open Truecrypt
Click "select file" and navigate to your file, then click "open".
Step 2: Mount/
Select a drive letter (I went for Z)
Click "mount".
Truecrypt will now ask for your password. Enter it and click "OK".
Your volume will now appear on the drive in Truecrypt.
Step 3: Ready to go
Navigate to "My Computer" and your protected volume will be there.
You can now use it.
Part 3: Closing the volume
Step 1: Dismount
To dismount, simply select your drive and press "Dismount" in Truecrypt.
I hope you enjoyed this guide, if you have any questions, leave a reply. This guide may not be copied without permission.
Thanks to Panki for introducing me to Truecrypt a few weeks ago on Skype.
Say you have got really important files (or files you don't want somebody to ever see), then encryption is a great way to protect these files.
For this guide I'm going to be using Truecrypt, because it's a great and free encryption program.
- Part 1: Creating the volume
- Part 2: Opening the volume
- Part 3: Closing the volume
Part 1: Creating the volume
Step 1: Download and install Truecrypt
http://www.truecrypt.org/downloads
Step 2: Open Truecrypt
You should get something like this
Now click "Create Volume".
Step 3: Select Create an encrypted file container
Because this is what the tutorial is about.
Step 4: Select Volume Type
Select "Standard Truecrypt Volume".
Click "next".
Step 5: Select a volume file
Click "select file" and navigate to where you want to put your volume, then enter a name you will remember (myvolume for example) the file does not need to have an extension.
Click "save".
Step 6: Encryption Options
Select an algorithm (I went for AES)
Click "test" and then click "Auto-Test All".
If all the self-tests of the algorithms passed, press "Close".
Now select a hash algorithm (I went for SHA-512).
And click "next".
Step 7: Volume Size
How big do you want to make your protected volume? It's up to you.
Select a size and click "next".
Step 8: Volume Password
For obvious reasons, select a strong password. (Truecrypt recommends +20 characters).
Click "next".
Step 9: Volume Format
Move your mouse around the screen, the longer you do this, the better the cryptographic strength of the encryption keys. After 10-15 seconds, click "Format".
This process might take a while depending on your volume size.
Step 10: Your volume has been created
When the formatting is completed, you will get this message.
Click "OK".
You're now ready to go.
Click "next" and then "cancel" (we don't want to create another volume right now)
Part 2: Opening the volume
Step 1: Open Truecrypt
Click "select file" and navigate to your file, then click "open".
Step 2: Mount/
Select a drive letter (I went for Z)
Click "mount".
Truecrypt will now ask for your password. Enter it and click "OK".
Your volume will now appear on the drive in Truecrypt.
Step 3: Ready to go
Navigate to "My Computer" and your protected volume will be there.
You can now use it.
Part 3: Closing the volume
Step 1: Dismount
To dismount, simply select your drive and press "Dismount" in Truecrypt.
I hope you enjoyed this guide, if you have any questions, leave a reply. This guide may not be copied without permission.
Thanks to Panki for introducing me to Truecrypt a few weeks ago on Skype.