VeraCrypt

VeraCrypt is a free and open-source disk encryption software for Windows, macOS, and Linux. It is based on the discontinued TrueCrypt project and provides enhanced security features. With VeraCrypt, you create an encrypted container file that acts as a virtual encrypted disk. You can mount this container as a real disk, allowing you to store and access files securely. You might use VeraCrypt for the following data:

  • Research data. You may have to store data in an encrypted format to comply with data protection regulations. The raw data might be in a CSV file or other format that does not natively support encryption. Storing the data in a VeraCrypt container allows you to encrypt the data even if the file format does not support encryption natively.
  • Student graded work. If you are a teaching assistant or professor, you might need to store student work securely to protect student privacy.
  • Personal data. You might want to store personal documents, such as tax returns or medical records, in an encrypted format to protect your privacy.
  • Screenplays. Your screenplay might be worth a lot of money, so you want to keep it safe from theft. Or, it just might be embarrassing.

There are many more use cases. Basically, whenever you want an additional layer of security for accessing your files, VeraCrypt is a good option.

Installation

Download and install VeraCrypt from the official website. A portable option is also available.

The installation warns about Windows Fast Start and recommends disabling it. Windows Fast Start is a hybrid shutdown and hibernation feature that can cause issues with disk encryption software like VeraCrypt. When Fast Start is enabled, Windows does not fully shut down the system, which can lead to problems when trying to access encrypted volumes upon the next startup. Disabling Fast Start ensures that the system performs a complete shutdown, allowing VeraCrypt to function correctly and securely. I recommend disabling Fast Start if you plan to use VeraCrypt.

Using VeraCrypt: A Quickstart Guide

The following is the basic workflow for using VeraCrypt:

  1. Create a new volume. Open VeraCrypt and click on "Create Volume". Follow the prompts to create a new encrypted container file. You will need to choose a location to save the file, a size for the container, and a password. You cannot increase the size later, so choose a size that is large enough to hold all the data you want to store, but not too big that you waste space.
  2. Mount the volume. Once you have created the volume, you can mount it by selecting a drive letter in VeraCrypt and clicking on "Mount". You will need to enter the password you chose when creating the volume.
  3. Use the volume. Once the volume is mounted, you can use it like a regular disk. You can copy files to and from the volume, and any files you save to the volume will be encrypted automatically.
  4. Dismount the volume. When you are done using the volume, you should dismount it by selecting the volume in VeraCrypt and clicking on "Dismount". This will ensure that the data is securely encrypted and cannot be accessed without the password.

See Also

Check out the current TrueCrypt website. The warnings are ominous.