Here are some of the best software applications that you can use to password protect flash drives. Dec 08, 2015 a set of software features help restrict access to both the media and to a separate folder on the usb flash drive or logical drive. Oftentimes this can be done as part of a manual offsite backup process for important data or simply when moving sensitive data off of a server, for example with employee records, company records, litigation files, and mergers and acquisitions related documents that need to be used on a notebook without. Protect flash drives in windows if a pc is running on windows 7 ultimate, enterprise, or windows 8 and above, the user can use. Veracrypt volume encryption a hybrid approach avoids encrypting the entire drive, but instead creates a single largeish file, which is then encrypted and used as a container for your files. May 04, 2016 truecrypt is an easy and free way to encrypt data onto usb or local hard drive.
I believe bitlocker can also encrypt usb drives, but not fully sure. Though for this blog post, we will use the open source truecrypt disk encryption software. Open truecrypt, select a drive letter not assigned to any drive on the computer, click on select device and choose your flash drive. How to encrypt and secure usb flash drive pendrive with. I wanted to recommend usb flash security its free, lightweight and simple software to passwordprotect usbdrive thanks for your input saru, but according to majorgeeks, the free version is limited to 4gb and my usb is 1tb. Heres how to password protect flash drives gadgets now. Plug in the flash drive you want to protect data on copy any data you want to protect onto a folder on your hard disk. Windows 7 lets you protect or lock your hard disk and removal drives by its bitlocker feature. Password protection onlyno encryption for usb key so it. A set of software features help restrict access to both the media and to a separate folder on the usb flash drive or logical drive. Encrypted usb flash drive refers to setting a password to protect the contents of the usb flash drive, after encryptinglocking a usb flash drive, people need to enter the correct password to access the files inside. Solved passwordprotect a usb flash disk howto geek.
By default, the browse for file window shows only files with of the. This can be caused by the truecrypt driver that clears bios memory before veracrypt is able to read it. Jan 05, 2012 im looking for a simple way to password protect my entire usb flash drive. Today we will use truecrypt to secure your flash drive with a password so you can use it like a safety deposit box. Jul 02, 2012 if a flash drive contains sensitive informationsuch as bank account statements, credit card numbers, or your own unique, brilliant plans for world dominationyou should password protect, if not. On the other hand, microsoft provides bit locker to password protect the drives but that cannot be installed on windows 7 pro so if you want you might search online using your favorite search engine and download a third party software for password protection of your flash drive.
Protect your sensitive data with this free opensource disk encryption software. Password protect flashthumb drive it security spiceworks. Kakasoft usb security encrypts and password protects your data with just three clicks. If you want to find a secure flash drive, this is definitely a good choice. Using truecrypt 7 you can encrypt an entire thumbdrive or create an encrypted container within for more novice users. Once encrypted, it will automatically prompt for the password whenever you plugin the usb drive in any other system.
Encrypt and password protect flash drives, external and internal usb and other drives with usbcrypt software for windows 10, 8, 7, and xp. Truecrypt works very well, as long as you have admin rights on the computers you use with the drive if you only want to encrypt a few files, you can also use a file compression format like 7zip that has good builtin encryption 7zip uses 128 bit aes, iirc and just set it up to store the files, so it essentially just creates an uncompressed, encrypted archive. If you currently have a nonsecured flash drive and dont want to replace them, then your simplest option would be a program like truecrypt which you have already discounted as being too complicated. Flash drives are really convenient, thanks to their sm. Nov 11, 2017 in this tutorial, im showing this in windows 10, the procedure to encrypt usb drive using veracrypt is similar to other operating systems. The much simpler way to password protect flash drive is such applications like lockngo. May 22, 2019 encrypted usb flash drive refers to setting a password to protect the contents of the usb flash drive, after encryptinglocking a usb flash drive, people need to enter the correct password to access the files inside. Using truecrypt you can secure an entire drive like a usb thumb drive. Why use veracrypt there are several ways to password protect a folder, like password protected zip file, windows builtin encryption, or even buying an encrypted portable external hard drive. Password protect external hard drive free downloads and.
The process of creating an encrypted file container for a flash drive is no different from the normal truecrypt process. Many users end up using external removable media for their servers important data. Any recommendations for a free usb password protection app. To put my two cents in, i recommend password protect usb. Encryption means only those with an encryption key file or password will be able to access the data on an encrypted flash drive. Rohos mini drive is a free software to password protect usb drive.
Password protect flash drive access microsoft community. If the file with the encrypted volume has a different file name extension, select the option to display all files on the browse for file window. Below is a step by step detailed tutorial to password protect your usb. From the tools menu, select volume creation wizard. How to protect your flash drive data with truecrypt. Is there a way to password protect my usb flash drive. Protect flash drives in windows if a pc is running on windows 7 ultimate, enterprise, or windows 8 and above, the user can use the builtin data encryption application bitlocker. Encrypt your usb flash drive files with truecrypt tutorial. Unfortunately, you cannot password protect your entire usb flash drive, like you can password protect your pc or phone. It cannot protect all the drive but works well for protecting folders on the usb drive, especially when the program is installed on the usb drive, not the internal drive. In the create new volume wizard window, select the encrypt nonsystem partitiondisk item. If i ever lose it, i dont want anyone else to be able to access any of the files on it. Jul 05, 2017 when you encrypt a drive, the entire drive is encrypted, and you need the password to access any files or folders anywhere on that drive. Doubleclick the icon, and input the password which you set in step 2.
Free opensource disk encryption software if youre on the move regularly or your hard drive is accessible by third parties, its always vulnerable to attack or your privacy can be compromised by prying eyes. I wanted to recommend usb flash security its free, lightweight and simple software to password protect usb drive thanks for your input saru, but according to majorgeeks, the free version is limited to 4gb and my usb is 1tb. How to encrypt usb drive using veracrypt techwiser. I am a police officer and i have some items on there that people would not need if i lose it. The usb flash drive and the data on it thus encrypted can only be accessed by mounting it through veracrypt, once youve entered in the specified password andor keyfile. One problem to watch out for is the need to run the device driver. Free open source disk encryption with strong security. Is there an apps program that would allow me to have to put in a password before the flash drive could be opened. Unless you want to invest in an encrypted flash drive with hardware encryption, you can use freeware applications to achieve a similar level of usb protection. Truecrypt is available for free as open source software. Keep in mind that not all encryption methods are currently supported by this. How to create a truecrypt encrypted external storage drive. There are three main types of encrypted usb flash drives on the market.
The system has been retired, but its still a great, free simple encryption method of simple encrypting category. Jun 07, 2011 today we will use truecrypt to secure your flash drive with a password so you can use it like a safety deposit box. I believe bitlocker can also encrypt usb drives, but. Encrypts an entire partition or storage device such as usb flash drive or hard.
Free password protect usb flash drive networkice is distributing software free of charge via the networkice downloader. There is no recovery key for veracrypt encrypted drives, so make sure your data is backed up and that you never lose the password you used to encrypt the drive when you encrypt a drive, the entire drive is encrypted, and you need the password to access any files or folders anywhere. Unlike other software on the list, kakasoft usb security installs directly on your thumb drive to encrypt and password protects all your data. May 24, 2019 true crypt is the excellent application, but it is a little bit complicated. To protect your data from others you should have to set up a password for the flash drive. Jul 08, 2014 if youre using windows, you can use a program like truecrypt to encrypt your usb drive. The bit locker is an encrypting tool, builtin with your windows 7 os.
Solved passwordprotect a usb flash disk howto geek forums. Looking for a simple, easy to use, usb flash drive password. When you create a truecrypt volume, it is encrypted and password protected. Veracrypt is free opensource disk encryption software for windows, mac os x and linux. Usb flash drives are great devices but most dont come with any security features at all and you need to protect personal and private data stored on your flash drive from unauthorized users. Once you encrypt a drive, you mount it to access its contents, providing the password to do so. Read this post carefully to learn how to encrypt, lock and password protect a flash drive in windows 10 with or without software. Is it possible to password protect specific folders on a.
File encryption on usb drives using truecrypt cybersmart. If a flash drive contains sensitive informationsuch as bank account statements, credit card numbers, or your own unique, brilliant plans for world dominationyou should password protect, if. To do so, instead of hitting select file, use select device and choose your thumb drive. Try a preferred solution to put a password on your flash drive of sandisk, toshiba, samsung, lexar and any other brands in order to fully protect files and folders on it. To protect drive you run it from the drive, enter password and click ok button to lock it. Once the secure area is opened, directly drag the files into it, and the encryption will be automatically processed. So its really important that you secure usb flash drives and the data stored on them against such situations. Plug in your flash drive you can do this with an sd card, too and wait while windows recognizes it. Be sure to add your truecrypt password to your personal password safe. Oct 22, 2012 open truecrypt, select a drive letter not assigned to any drive on the computer, click on select device and choose your flash drive. Truecrypt is an easy and free way to encrypt data onto usb or local hard drive. Jan 04, 2020 rohos mini drive password protects a usb flash drive by creating a hidden and encrypted partition on the disk. How to password protect usb flash drive on windows 10.
The process is a little more complicated, but should yield the same results. If youre using windows, you can use a program like truecrypt to encrypt your usb drive. If you wish to protect your sensitive files with a password, usb safeguard can be your best option. Dont let the word encryption scare you it all boils down to enter a password for access. Veracrypt free open source disk encryption with strong security. In this tutorial, im showing this in windows 10, the procedure to encrypt usb drive using veracrypt is similar to other operating systems. I have encountered a disk data stealing before, which remind me how important to find a reliable flash drive. Apr 30, 2012 to protect your data from others you should have to set up a password for the flash drive. Here we show you 5 security tools that encrypt and also hide your usb flash drives data from prying eyes.
You can encrypt your files using any one of the various encryption software that are available online. If youre looking for a usb encryption software that includes topgrade encryption prowess, and is. Looking for a simple, easy to use, usb flash drive. Password protect your flash drive in two simple steps.
If your flash drive is empty or you want to delete everything it contains, choose. It also offers a portable encryption tool for working with an encrypted. How to encrypt a flash drive using truecrypt groovypost. How to password protect a usb drive free with truecrypt. A bit heavy, but it works well,i started using it to store important data. And if a misplaced or stolen flash drive has some valuable information stored on it, it could be disastrous in the wrong hands.
Once its created, running truecrypt and entering your password is the only way to access that data it doesnt matter which computer you are on. I hope i am asking the right way, as i am not used to forums. It creates an encrypted partition for your sensitive data in the flash drive. Im looking for a simple way to password protect my entire usb flash drive. We will move them to the encrypted volume once we are done. How to password protect flash drive windows 10 easeus. I would recommend 7zip it wont encrypt the whole drive, but its straightforward to create an encrypted. Commonly referred to as pen drives, these tiny usb sticks are used for everything from storing and transferring data to running portable apps. Creates a virtual encrypted disk within a file and mount it as a real disk. Feb 26, 2018 if its against simple theft and loss of a disk drive and a casual finder getting access to your information, maybe winzipping it may be a cost effective and simple method of encryption, just apply a decent and random password and dont reuse passwords. So even if your flash drive falls into the wrong hands, those unintended third parties wont be able to access or understand the information the drive is holding and therefore would be unable to use it for nefarious. Usb flash drive, how to password protect usb flash drive.
These days you are more than likely to use a usb flash drive as your primary portable storage solution. This freeware is a portable solution with aes 256bit encryption that is used to protect confidential data on a virtual drive like, a usb drive, memory card, ssd and hard drive. You will get three options as shown in the picture below. Video tutorial showing step by step how to encrypt a usb flash drive using truecrypt. How to password protect a flash drive idoo encryption. Password protect and hide personal files and folders with folder guard for windows 10, 8, 7, and xp. I have a kingston 16 gig flash drive and i use it at work. Feb 03, 2017 i would recommend 7zip it wont encrypt the whole drive, but its straightforward to create an encrypted. In addition to managing the download of your software, the networkice downloader will make recommendations for additional software that you might be interestsed in. True crypt is the excellent application, but it is a little bit complicated.