How to Secure a Flash Drive
A flash drive has many uses and is very reliable due to its small size. They're perfect for moving files, saving work, performing a backup, transferring data and keeping personal information wherever you go without the need to take your computer with you. Securing a flash drive may be beneficial for those who worry about it being stolen, or for those who may be carrying sensitive data. Encrypting and protecting your flash drive may require a third-party program, but is easy to accomplish.
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Instructions
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Download and install an encryption program, such as TrueCrypt, Folder Lock or USB Secure. Many encryption programs are free and will help you encrypt the data on your flash drive, as well as create a password that must be entered in order to access the files.
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Plug in your flash drive and run the encryption program. The steps you will need to take will vary according to the program you use, but you will need to select the drive letter that corresponds to your flash drive. If you don't know what it is, double-click on My Computer, and your flash drive will be listed, along with a drive letter. (For example, you hard drive is probably "C.")
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Create a new volume on your flash drive. This is done in the program itself after you have selected the flash drive. To be safe, make sure all your flash drive data are safe on your computer as well. If you make a mistake creating the volume and wipe the data on your flash drive, you'll be able to put it back on after the process is complete (though you may want to do this anyway so the only data on the drive will be protected).
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Choose the format for your flash drive, choose your password, then format the flash drive. This may take some time depending on the size of your flash drive and the volume you have selected. When the process is complete, you can test it out by unplugging it (making sure it has been properly ejected) then plugging it back in and trying to access the volume you have created.
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Tips & Warnings
Keep your password safe. If you forget your password, you may be forced to delete the volume to regain access to the drive, wiping all the data in the process.
