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Encrypting data with Truecrypt

Today i want to explain how to encrypt data. The open source program Truecrypt is a good choice for this.Since the Source code of Truecrypt is openly available, it is in such a way ensured that no government or other persons can install backdoors, in order to attain access to your data.The official website of truecrypt is www.truecrypt.orgWindows-users can download their version here:

www.truecrypt.org/downloads.php

There’s also a version for Linux.

The files are available in .zip format. An unzipper (like Winrar) is needed.

After the installation of Winrar the file truecrypt-4.2.a.zip should have a yellow icon, which means, that you can open the file with winrar. After unpacking just doubleclick on “Truecrypt Setup.exe” and the installation starts.

Create the container:

A container is like that something like a coded file, which can be filled with other data. With Truecrypt and a password you can open it.

You should see the following screen:

Click “Create Volume” You can choose between standart Truecrypt Volume and hidden Truecrypt volume. We choose standart Truecrypt Volume. Click on “What is hidden Volume” to get more information about the hidden mode. Just click on “Select File” and choose the Name for your encrypted container. There is no need for an ending. But you can choose the ending .ct. Then Truecrypt starts automatically when you open the .ct file.Alternatively you would have to start Truecrypt first and select the encrypted container. The container place can be entered also simply into the field.
Then you click on “next”. Now you can select the encryption algorhytm. The AES is most recommendable. The Secrect Service also uses this Algo. The more strongly the algorhytm, files will be encrypted slower. Therefore you should consider yourself if you need the strongest and safest algo. With “benchmark” you can make a speed test. Now you can specify how big the container file should be.
Warning:
The container will be your encrypted volume. Like a drive. You should plan enough place, but not too much, because the encryption of the volume can take much time. Here you can select the password of your container.
I would recommend to use a combination of numbers, letters and special characters. You shouldn’t use common words or often use combinations of numbers (e.g. 123456). These can be easily cracked with brute force.Instead of using a password you could use a keyfile. A Keyfile is a 1-10 kb file, which is needed if you want to open the encrypted container.
But be carefull:
If it gets lost all data inside of the container is useless, because it cannot be opened. Now you can choose the format of the volume. I would recommend to use NTFS, because FAT is limited to 4 GB. Its also possible to use a dynamic container. I would recommend it, because the size of the container will adapt.
If you will estimate with the needed size you will have to copy or create a second container.Click”Format” to start the encryption.
But how to include data?
See: You choose a Volmue-letter and click on “Select File”. Here you choose the name of the container, who has been named by you before. You click on “Mount”. A Password is needed. After you entered the right password the container is ready to use. You will see a new drive on “My Computer”. Now you can copy data into you drive. They will be encrypted automatically. With a mouseclick on “Dismount all” all encrypted drives will become invisible. Now you must start the procedure again.General information:

Everyone has private data, which are intended for himself only. This tutorial is meant for beginners, who look for a suitable entrance into the encryption of their data. There is a far more comprehensive Tutorial over Truecrypt, but only available in german for now.You Can type you r questions and improvements as comments. Please pay attention to an appropriate mode of expression.