Today, I would like to share with you a tool that helps keep your personal information and data private through encryption.
I have been using VeraCrypt - On the Fly Encryption - for about 2 years now and it is one of my favorite encryption programs.
In the past, I used TrueCrypt version 7.1 to encrypt files before it shut down operations with an ominous warning that the encryption may not be as secure as previously believed.
This post is meant to teach you the basics of using Veracrypt.
In light of what we’ve learned from the Wikileaks Vault 7 release about the CIA cyber weapons leaked online, many may reasonably assume that all of our internet activity and personal information is vulnerable and that nothing is safe.
Although I agree that the risk of losing control of our personal data is extremely high and probably unavoidable, I also believe that we should not make it a walk in the park for those seeking to remove our rights to personal privacy. At the very least, they should have to work for it.
I use VPNs (the purchased variety) / encryption software / end-to-end encrypted email / TOR and try to be as careful as I can not to give up any unnecessary personal information whenever possible.
VeraCrypt is an open-source utility used for on-the-fly encryption (OTFE).[5] It can create a virtual encrypted disk within a file or encrypt a partition[6] or (in Windows) the entire storage device with pre-boot authentication.[7]
VeraCrypt is a fork of the discontinued TrueCrypt project.[8] It was initially released on June 22, 2013 and has produced its latest release (version 1.21) on July 9, 2017.[9] Many security improvements have been implemented and issues raised by TrueCrypt code audits have been fixed (see below). VeraCrypt features optimized implementations of cryptographic hash functions and ciphers which boost performance on modern CPUs (see Performance).
VeraCrypt is a very useful piece of encryption software to help secure your data.
On the Fly Encryption refers to the ease in which you can store this light weight program on a usb/flashdrive and use it anytime anywhere. VC not only enables the user to encrypt their password protected data, but it also hides these files away from view.
There are 2 main ways to encrypt your data with VC
The following section will give you step-by-step instructions for creating an encrypted file container. Creating an encrypted file container allows you to create a volume capable of encrypting up to 4gb (files, folders, videos, etc).
Options 2, encrypting hard drives, is more advanced and Is not recommended for beginners. However, for the average user, simply creating an encrypted container or several encrypted containers is all you’re ever going to need.
https://www.veracrypt.fr/en/Home.html
After installing the VeraCrypt exe. file
Open VeraCrypt Program
[esecurityplanet.com]
You can chose between several different algorithms:
Though you will see the amount of free space available for encryption, since we've chosen the encrypted file container option, 4gb should be the maximum size of your new volume.
Be careful to select a random combination of letters, numbers and special characters.
Note: I recommend selecting FAT Filesystem if you intend on using this volume across platforms (Mac, windows, linux)
Note: If you’re a Mac user and only intend on using Mac OS then by all means select Mac OS
At this stage, move the cursor randomly around the VC Volume Creation Wizard window to increase cryptographic strength.
In order to access your encrypted file container and add files to it, simply follow these instructions.
I hope you find VeraCrypt as beneficial as I do and I hope my explanations were clear. The VC Volume Creation Wizard is pretty straight forward, in any case. If you’re having any problems, please see the tutorial video below, visit the VeraCrypt website or How to Geek website for detailed instructions.
I don't see myself as a hero because what I'm doing is self-interested: I don't want to live in a world where there's no privacy and therefore no room for intellectual exploration and creativity.
-Edward Snowden
