Hi,
I notice there have been a few questions about securing data on Flash Drives on this forum recently, but this isn't really about how to encrypt, rather what to encrypt.
I want to use my USB stick to run Thunderbird, Firefox and NVU (as well as other apps) while I'm away travelling. I'll be accessing my email account, Webserver and secure websites using it in Internet Cafes. Obviously this means that there might be passwords, usernames etc on it, not to mention email messages.
I've been looking at ways to encrypt the data - Truecrypt looks perfect - I really like that it's transparent and you don't have to keep encrypting and decrypting, but I won't have admin rights on any of the computers that I'll be able to use so I don't think I can use it.
I've also looked at:- Remora USB Disk guard http://www.richskills.com/
Lockdisk http://www.klonsoft.com/
Storagecrypt http://www.magic2003.net/
Picocrypt http://www.picofactory.com/
These programs all work by encrypting and decrypting specific files or folders. Now I'm an idle chap and my memory isn't what it used to be (otherwise I'd be able to remember all the adresses, usernames and login details) so the thought of having to decrypt the thunderbird folder when I want to read my email, the NVU folder when I want to update my website, etc makes me shudder. Not to mention the precious minutes waiting while 16 MB is decrypted.
So my question is, Is it possible to put all the sensitive information into one folder so that I can just decrypt that at the beginning of my session, and lock it up again at the end? I'm guessing that it isn't because I think some of the configuration files for Firefox and Thunderbird have the same name. In that case is it possible to save all the configuration files for each program in folders sepapate to the app folder? I know for Thunderbird you can save mail and settings in a different specified folder, but does this include all the account details.
Thanks for any advice,
Neil
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If you use the Portable Apps Suite or if you use the same directory structure -- which I recommend -- then all your data files are within PortableApps\Data, with the current exception of FileZilla. Otherwise, they'll be all over the place.
Sometimes, the impossible can become possible, if you're awesome!
I hadnt looked at the Suite section, because originally I was going to be restricted for space (more Apps = less music) & didn't notice the Light version - it's perfect for me, now I just have to decide on the encryption app.
Thanks very much, Neil
My question is a follow on to the OP. How to encrypt/decrypt on a daily basis? My Data folder is already 80+M, mostly PTB followed by PFF.
- Remora seems to encrypt/decrypt individual files and is quite slow adding the whole Data folder. It only takes up the same space as the files it holds and they could be zipped. Requires moving the whole Data folder in and out of Remora. Program frequently crashes.
- The 80+M size leaves out the free versions of Cryptainer and LockDisk which have a smaller maximum disk size.
-As you say TrueCrypt requires administrator access. This probably isn't a problem given where I currently use my USB drive. It also has many command line options which could automate it's use.
With TrueCrypt I see several possibilities:
- Move the whole Data folder in and out of the encrypted drive. I need room on the disk for the folder AND the encrypted drive
- Get the Portable Apps to point to a Data folder on the encrypted drive. Doesn't appear possible according to the Portable Apps readme.
- Put the whole PortableApps folder (and, possibly, all my portable apps) on a larger encrypted drive and run it from there. Requires a much larger drive, prossibly longer reading/writing.
Any suggestions? Am I missing something here?