HDD Password Protection

StillUndisputed · 21 Jul 2011 at 22:57

Hey guys!

Just wondering if anyone has any idea how to password protect HDD's for security reasons. I have two HDD's which are used as storage/backup and one which is used as the main windows drive. Ideally all three I want to password protect, if possible.

Thanks

TRNC · 21 Jul 2011 at 22:59

I use truecrypt for whole drive encryption, including the boot drive. The overhead is minimal and its very secure so you cant get in without the key even by removing the drive to another machine.

Best of all its free too!

Phil2008 · 21 Jul 2011 at 23:00

How do you use true crypt on a boot drive?

tom_e · 21 Jul 2011 at 23:00

I use Truecrypt as well on both my laptop boot drive and my externals, works like a charm

tom_e · 21 Jul 2011 at 23:01

Phil2008 said:
How do you use true crypt on a boot drive?

Install it then run it and go to the system menu and it gives you the option to do a full encryption

TRNC · 21 Jul 2011 at 23:05

Phil2008 said:
How do you use true crypt on a boot drive?

Install it and set it to work on the boot drive, its a fairly simple process that it takes you through step by step. Once done it takes a few hours to encrypt the whole drive.

Phil2008 · 21 Jul 2011 at 23:10

ummm,, could be useful for laptops I fix for ppl and stuff

StillUndisputed · 21 Jul 2011 at 23:18

Thanks a lot guys, just installed it. I wish to encrypt all three HDD's.
Isit best just to go System> Encrypt System Partition/drive.. ?

tom_e · 21 Jul 2011 at 23:19

StillUndisputed said:
Thanks a lot guys, just installed it. I wish to encrypt all three HDD's.
Isit best just to go System> Encrypt System Partition/drive.. ?

Yep then select the ones you want to do from there, as said it should guide you though it

Phil2008 · 21 Jul 2011 at 23:43

If you protect a whole drive, Im guessing it will ask for a password if you click on the drive? But truecrypt always needs to be running right?

JimAroo · 22 Jul 2011 at 07:52

Phil2008 said:
If you protect a whole drive, Im guessing it will ask for a password if you click on the drive? But truecrypt always needs to be running right?

Clicking on the drive will give you an "X is not accessible" error. You will have to open TrueCrypt and mount whatever devices you wish. Yes, TrueCrypt will prompt for a password and will have to remain open for you to access the encrypted devices.

Phil2008 · 22 Jul 2011 at 14:32

Im having a play about with it atm. Im trying it on my 320gb external usb, but its got like 5hrs remaining todo its thing..... :eek:

inogen · 22 Jul 2011 at 15:18

I use bitlocker on both my desktop and laptop.

Beware encrypting whole drives if you've not not an AES-NI enabled processor.

Disk write speeds are, on SSDs at least, considerably less.

My c300 (desktop on Sata III) goes from 300MB/s+ down to about 150Mb/s when encrypted. It's an i5 750.

My Intel 320 drops from 250Mb/s down to about 80MB/s! that's on a Lenovo x61 with conroe core 2 duo.

Read speeds aren't effected though.

StillUndisputed · 27 Jul 2011 at 23:30

Anyone recommend using Bitlocker?