How to Set Up TrueCrypt

Secure your sensitive files or storage device with TrueCrypt.

TrueCrypt is an open-source encryption utility that allows you to fully encrypt a hard drive or removable storage device using a variety of encryption algorithms. TrueCrypt can also create an encrypted virtual drive that you can mount like any other storage device when in use.

Instructions

Volume or External Storage Device

1. Connect your external storage device to the computer. Launch TrueCrypt and click the “Create Volume” button.

2. Click the bubble next to “Encrypt a Non-system Partition/Drive.” If you want to encrypt the system volume, check the bubble next to “Encrypt the System Partition or Entire System Drive.” Using this option will require you to enter a password on system boot. Click “Next,” then click "Next" a second time.

3. Click “Select Device.” Click on the volume or storage device that you want to encrypt. Click “OK.” Click “Next.”

4. Click the bubble next to “Create Encrypted Volume and Format It” if you want to erase all data on the volume before encryption. If not, leave “Encrypt Partition in Place” checked. Click “Next,” then click "Next" again.

5. Enter a password into the "Password" field. Confirm the password in the second entry field. Click “Next.”

6. Move the cursor around the screen for at least 30 seconds; the movement generates a random encryption key. Click “Format.”

Encrypted Virtual Drive

1. Launch TrueCrypt, select “Create Volume” and click “Next.” Click "Next" a second time.

2. Click “Select File” and enter a file name for the virtual drive. Select a location to save the file to and click “Save.” Click “Next” twice.

3. Enter a size for the virtual drive in the box provided and click “Next.”

4. Enter a password for the virtual drive in the box provided and confirm it in the second box. Click “Next.”

5. Move the cursor around the screen for at least 30 seconds to generate an encryption key. Click "Format."

Mount

1. Click “Select File” if you're mounting a virtual drive. Click “Select Device” to mount a volume or storage device.

2. Select the virtual drive file, volume or storage device from the box that appears. Click “Open.” Select "Mount."

3. Type the password into the box provided and click “OK.”

Tips & Warnings

• The longer you move the cursor around the screen, the more random and secure the encryption key will be.

References

• Western Washington University: Computer Science Department Support: TrueCrypt Setup and Configuration
• TrueCrypt: Beginner’s Tutorial
• University of California, Berkeley: IST Knowledge Base: Encrypting a Removable USB Drive Using TrueCrypt

Resources

• TrueCrypt
• TrueCrypt: Documentation