| TrueCrypt encryption software is an easy and secure way to protect data stored on PC hard disks and removable storage devices.In my last blog post I showed you ‘How to install TrueCrypt‘ on your PC so now we will look at how you can encrypt your entire USB memory stick/Pen drive. |  |
Step By Step guide to encrypting a USB memory stick using Truecrypt
Step 1 – Insert your memory stick. For this tutorial I used a 1 GB USB memory stick called ‘Aaron USB’. After navigating to ‘My computer’ it was shown as follows :
Step 2 – Open the TrueCrypt software. Go to Start > programs> TrueCrypt> TrueCrypt
Click on ‘Create Volume’
Step 3 – Select a Partition or Device.
Use the Drive letter and/or Label to select the correct device and click OK.
Step 4 – Select encryption type.
As we will be encrypting the entire memory stick you will need to select the second option (as shown above).
Step 5 – Choose volume type
Step 6 – Select Device
Step 7 – Select your USB memory stick from the list
Click OK
Step 8 – Read warning and confirm. You will receive a warning telling you that you will lose all existing information on the memory stick you are about to encrypt. If you haven’t done so already copy files from the memory stick to temporary location and then Click Yes on message below.
Step 9 – Confirm device to be encrypted. Click Next
Step 10 – Click Next
Step 11 – Click Next
Step 12 – Click Next
Step 13 – Choose and confirm your password
Click Next. If your password is not particularly strong you will receive the following warning :
Step 14 – Begin format process. Choose format button to begin encrypting your USB memory stick.
After clicking ‘Format’ you will receive a further warning.
Click Yes and you will see the progress of the encryption/formatting in the wizard (See below).
Step 15 – Exit the Wizard
The USB memory stick has now been encrypted.
To see how to access and use your encrypted memory stick, go to How to use a memory stick that has been encrypted with TrueCrypt.