Is it possible to password an external hard drive?

Mp4 · 9 Dec 2016 at 20:31

Having had a mass clear out with photos I've now a 4TB free to store clients photos. I wanted to encrypt or password the drive to be accessed with the data.

Zefan · 9 Dec 2016 at 20:37

For full disk encryption Bitlocker would be my first port of call, as it's built in to Windows so should be the least hassle, theoretically! Search for bitlocker, it should be relatively painless and hold your hand through the process. You'll choose a password, and store a recovery key somewhere else to allow access in the event of the password being forgotten.

:edit: it's worth mentioning that Bitlocker isn't available to Home versions of Windows. In that case, I'd look towards ~~TrueCrypt~~, although I've never used it I've heard it is a suitable bitlocker alternative.

:edit2: I meant VeraCrypt, TrueCrypt has been out of development for some time so isn't as secure as alternatives.

Hyburnate · 9 Dec 2016 at 20:41

As above, there was a thread about this fairly recently as I believe for Bitlocker you need to have Win10 Pro

Mp4 · 9 Dec 2016 at 20:45

Ah balls, on Home version! Don't trust TrueCrypt as it's not being developed anymore .

Hyburnate · 9 Dec 2016 at 21:00

I did make a post in the other thread, let me see if I can see it

e; Give VeraCrypt a look

Mp4 · 9 Dec 2016 at 21:07

Thanks Hyburnate & Zefan
I will take a look, Some of these sites look bad & need updating....

found another called StorageCrypt
http://www.magic2003.net/index.htm

& USB Security

http://www.kakasoft.com/usb-security/

Mp4 · 9 Dec 2016 at 21:46

Had a look at Vera & Usb-Security

Vera seems far more secure & like the fact it makes the drive ask to be format so if it is stolen then they hopefully would wipe the drive.
So will be using this tomorrow.

For ease of use (and can't find what encryption they use) USB-Security wins but appears the company is shady!

And StorageCrypt couldnt see my 4TB so ditched it, seems its not been updated since 2011