How Can I Password-Protect My USB Drives?

Unless encrypted, USB drives are vulnerable to data theft.

If you store valuable or confidential information on your USB drive, it's vital that you encrypt it. Unlike laptops, however, whose operating systems typically have their own security features, USB sticks do not. Instead, you need to acquire third-party software to implement these measures. These programs can either be installed directly onto your USB drive or onto the computers you use your USB drive with. Some of these programs are free, while others cost money but add additional layers of encryption.

Instructions

Install on Your Computer

1. Download and install encryption software directly to your computer. Popular choices include WinSesame and TrueCrypt. By using this method, you will only be able to encrypt and decrypt files from a computer on which these programs are installed. However, you can use the same program to encrypt files on your hard drive as well as your USB drive.

2. Insert your USB drive and wait for it to load.

3. Open your encryption software and choose the option to encrypt an entire folder. The specific wording varies from program to program. In WinSesame, click "Locking of a Folder". In TrueCrypt "Select Device".

4. Select your USB drive and have your program encrypt it. With WinSesame, simply enter a password and click "Lock". With TrueCrypt, click "Create Volume", and then "Encrypt a Non-System Partition/Drive". Make it a "Standard Volume", specify your drive and enter a password when prompted. Your USB drive is now encrypted, and you need to use these programs to decrypt it.

Install to USB

1. Download an encryption program specifically designed for USBs. Popular choices include USB Safeguard and USB Secure. These programs allow you to decrypt your files from any computer, though you can only encrypt data on your USB.

2. Insert your USB drive and wait for it to load.

3. Install the program. In the process, it will ask you to specify your USB drive and to assign it a password. Once the program is complete, your USB will be encrypted.

References

• Aragonsoft: WinSesame
• TrueCrypt: FAQ

Resources

• WinSesame Download
• TrueCrypt Download
• USB Safeguard Download
• USB Secure Download