How to encrypt data using Truecrypt

What is Truecrypt?

Truecrypt is a tool for encrypting files and folders. Please visit http://www.truecrypt.org/docs/ for additional information and official guides.

Truecrypt Notes

• Only open a Truecrypt volume when you need it. Never auto mount an encrypted volume.
• Always dismount Truecrypt volumes when done.
• Never have two people open the same volume at the same time.

How to create a new Truecrypt volume for encrypting data

Note: If this is for files on a departmental share that may need multiple user access, please contact your system administrator before continuing.

1. If not already installed, download and install Truecrypt from www.truecrypt.org
2. Open Truecrypt
3. Click "Create Volume"
4. The "TrueCrypt Volume Creation Wizard" should appear
   1. Select "Create an encrypted file container" and click "Next"
   2. Select "Standard TrueCrypt volume" and click "Next"
   3. Click "Select File..." and choose where you would like to store the encrypted container and its name (add ".tc" to the end of the file name). Click "Next"
   4. Select the Encryption and Hash Algorithm (the default will be fine) and click "Next"
   5. Enter a volume size and click "Next"
      1. If you are just storing a few microsoft documents, then 50MB should be plenty
      2. If you're not sure how much space you need, right click on the folder that you plan to encrypt, click "Properties", and add 25% to the "Size" field
   6. Enter a password and click "Next" (Note: if you forget this password, your data will be lost)
   7. Randomly move your mouse around on the Volume Format window for minute or so and then click "Format" (the random movements help improve the security of the file)
   8. Click "Ok" on the message box and then click "Exit" in the wizard
5. Done. Check out the next guide for opening your new Truecrypt volume

How to open a Truecrypt volume

1. If not already installed, download and install Truecrypt from www.truecrypt.org
2. Find the encrypted file and double click it
3. Truecrypt should open
   1. Select the drive letter that you would like to use
   2. Click "Mount"
   3. Submit password
   4. Double click the drive letter to open the folder (or open "My Computer" and go to the drive letter you used above)
   5. Close Truecrypt
4. From this point on it will act exactly like any other drive on your computer. You can add, change, delete files and folders of any kind (even create more encrypted files).

How to close a Truecrypt volume

1. If not already installed, download and install Truecrypt from www.truecrypt.org
2. Ensure that all files and folders are closed
3. Open Truecrypt (should be a blue icon in system tray near the clock)
4. Select the encrypted drive letter in the list
5. Click "Dismount"
   • You may receive an error that says "Volume contains files or folders being used by applications or system. Force dismount?"
   • If you are sure all files and folders are closed, then click "Yes"
6. Close Truecrypt
7. Done