TrueCrypt is open-source, free security software that encrypts files on your hard drive. This is particularly useful on a laptop or memory stick in case of theft. Information that has been saved in a TrueCrypt volume can only be accessed with a password or a"key". Truecrypt runs on Windows XP, Vista, Mac OS X, and Linux.
If you save confidential documents on your hard drive or memory stick, you should consider using TrueCrypt in case of theft. There are two ways to address encryption. One way is to encrypt a whole disk or memory stick. Another way, probably the most common way, is to create a "container" that will contain the encrypted files (the confidential files). Simply dragging a file into the Truecrypt container will encrypt it.
Your encrypted files will reside in a virtual encrypted disk (volume) within a file (container). Once you mount the TrueCrypt volume, you can copy from and to it just like any other disk, but you need to enter a password or key first.
If you don't want to have to remember a password, you can create a key. The key is stored in a keyfile.
When creating aTrueCrypt volume you will be asked for an encyption alorgithm and a hash algorithm. While you are welcome to read the information about these algorithms, it is not necessary to become a security expert to use TrueCrypt.
This may all seem a little confusing, but it's really very easy.
If you forget your password or the "key" the information in a TrueCrypt volume cannot be accessed.
Last updated by Bob Hicks ( bjhicks at uwaterloo.ca ) on January 27, 2009 .