Flash drives are cheap, disposable, and portable. Like many others out there, we use these devices to transfer sensitive data, without needing to touch the grimy internet. The problem with this route is obvious, physical unencrypted media is extremely problematic, if lost we can lose so much from one single USB flash drive. In order to protect, we must encrypt
.For many in the know our first go to option was to use TrueCrypt, a 512-bit encryption platform that was available completely free for 11 years. With source-code available to those who can program in C and C++ to modify and make variations specific to their needs, it was truly an every mans solution to encrypting files. Out of nowhere in November of 2014, the creators of TrueCrypt stated they were done making new versions and done supporting TrueCrypt. They then started telling people to start using BitLocker as a replacement, problem is that BitLocker is limited in use to individuals using Windows 7 Ultimate, or Windows 7 Enterprise, the encryption software wasn't available to anyone else. Although the program is nice, it's not an every mans replacement.
Before we go any deeper into all of this, let's talk about what encryption is, this word "encryption" has already appeared a LOT in this article, but what is it? Why is unencrypted a problem?Unencrypted data is available in plain text, or easier put if you have a file called "email-account-passwords.txt" with a list of all your passwords on a flash drive, that file can be clicked on, opened, and read as is without any passwords, without any special software. In terms of convenience that's quite nice, just a quick click and, you have your list. Problem here if not obvious by default is, that yes it is in fact convenient, but for everyone, the bad guys who want your passwords can easily open that file as well.
To fix this issue we need to put a digital lock on on that file. Of course there are multiple ways of doing this, but we'll simplify the explanation to as simple as possible. In the movie A Christmas Story, little Ralphie received an Orphan Annie Secret Society decoder pin, and during a designated time a radio announcer would announce the code key, followed by the code, telling the listener where to turn their dial on their decoder ring to, and then decrypt the information manually. Your key could be 4-G, where you set the dial to line up 4 and G, then every following number given 14, 7, 26, 9, would be read off the already configured key.Here is where it gets a little bit more complex, where a decoder ring could have a maximum of 26 or so potential keys, a computer using 512 bit encryption has 2^512 possible keys. Or over, 13,400,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 possible keys. Which to be completely honest... that's a huge number, forcing a computer weeks if not months or years to decipher. By putting a 512 bit encryption on a flash drive or a file, it forces the potential threat to either spend countless weeks, months, or years trying to obtain the information. If it takes years, the information obtained is generally obsolete anyway, giving even more security.
Now with TrueCrypt gone, and BitLocker not really being a usable option for the masses. VeraCrypt is a very good alternative to the now defunct TrueCrypt, with a very reassuring fact that VeraCrypt uses TrueCrypt's code and expands upon it. Unlike BitLocker, VeraCrypt offers cross platform encryption, allowing Linux users, Mac OSX users, and Window users to download, install, and use. Where as BitLocker being limited to just Windows users was sort of a crutch in terms of being an "every man" solution.With VeraCrypt, for the low cost of, Free, or generous donations, you can rest assured that your personal information and professional information will be safely secured. Flash drives with potential sensitive data, even if lost, can almost be guaranteed they'll be trashed by the finder, or completely formatted, no information or secrets compromised. In terms of personal security, and professional security, VeraCrypt is hands down, one of the greatest tools to use to keep you safe and secure.
If you have any comments, questions, or concerns, let us know in the comment section below. And as always, be safe my goblins.
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