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Thread: I have an external HD, can i create an encrypted/passworded partition?

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    Gold Member Marcos's Avatar
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    I have an external HD, can i create an encrypted/passworded partition?

    As title asks, is there a way to do this?

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    If you create it as an NTFS partition and encrypt it then only the account you encrypt it under will access it. I think you can only do this folder by folder though not the entire drive.

    To encrypt any folder you right click it, goto properties, then advanced, then check 'encrypt contents to secure data'
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    HEXUS webmaster Steve's Avatar
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    As Graham said, but I think you could do it to the whole drive. Of course, if not, just create a folder, encrypt it, and put everything in that.

    Plus, you can add keys of other users if you want, so that more than one user can access the files. Moreover, you should backup your own key, because if you reformat your OS or do other such funk, you're up a certain creek without a paddle.
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    It'll be worth you taking a look at Truecrypt:

    http://www.truecrypt.org/

    It's a tried and tested, open-source piece of software. As always with any kind of encryption, test it thoroughly first before you commit any important data to it.

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    Gold Member Marcos's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Steve View Post
    As Graham said, but I think you could do it to the whole drive. Of course, if not, just create a folder, encrypt it, and put everything in that.

    Plus, you can add keys of other users if you want, so that more than one user can access the files. Moreover, you should backup your own key, because if you reformat your OS or do other such funk, you're up a certain creek without a paddle.
    this looks like the best option, but how do i backup the key?

    oh wait, what if its a FAT32 drive? i need it fat32
    Last edited by Marcos; 01-04-2007 at 04:19 PM.

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    Seething Cauldron of Hatred TheAnimus's Avatar
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    if its a removeable drive, i'm guessing you want too move it between PCs?

    The other question is what is it your wanting too encrypt from whome. If its a few choice spreadsheets/word docs, then what level of protection do you want.

    If its enough too stop that specail someone finding the research you've been doing into a carrier in gynocology, then odds are it dosen't really need encrypting, just access deinying.
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    Whenever on the odd occasion I've needed encryption I've used a passworded .rar file. Not sure how secure that actually is though.

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    Gold Member Marcos's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by TheAnimus View Post
    if its a removeable drive, i'm guessing you want too move it between PCs?

    The other question is what is it your wanting too encrypt from whome. If its a few choice spreadsheets/word docs, then what level of protection do you want.

    If its enough too stop that specail someone finding the research you've been doing into a carrier in gynocology, then odds are it dosen't really need encrypting, just access deinying.
    you're right, access denying is what i need, not really encryption.

    i just want the simplest way to access to a specific folder on an external drive. The folder is huge though so a rar is not a good solution

    the drive is used quite a lot and i occasionally lend it out

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    I don't think FAT32 supports any kind of encryption or access control without software being installed on every computer that will access it
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    Gold Member Marcos's Avatar
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    oh, guess i'll have to resort to software then

    but lets say i do decide to go to NTFS and use the windows security, how do i backup the key? I'm a bit worried about that, what if my laptop fries up and i want to use the drive on another machine, but it wont let me.
    Last edited by Marcos; 01-04-2007 at 05:23 PM.

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