You are here

Home » Forums » Support Forums » PortableApps.com Platform

Securing data on my USB drive

8 posts / 0 new
Log in or register to post comments
Last post
June 2, 2008 - 2:15am
#1
Tom-in-HK
Offline
Last seen: 15 years 3 months ago
Joined: 2008-06-02 02:07
Securing data on my USB drive

Hi,

I have installed Thunderbird and other apps on my thumbdrive, all seems fine. One question however: Is there a way that I can secure my data on the USB drive either in software or hardware?
If I loose the thumb drive then it seems anyone can access my information, also important if I was to use the GNUCash app for any financial info. If is there any passowrd protect feature available in the platform that would be good.

Alternatively, if there is a hardware solution that i could use, eg USB drives with fingerprint readers or codes for security, that are fast and secure, I would also be interested to hear from eople who had first hand experience with these.

Thanks,
Tom

Top
June 11, 2008 - 12:36am
USBman
Offline
Last seen: 1 year 4 months ago
Joined: 2006-10-11 17:43
TrueCrypt

I think I have a solution for you. You may wish to learn about TrueCrypt http://www.truecrypt.org.

It runs as a portable app* on any device (i.e., USB) and allows you to generate and open an encrypted container, which can then contain any files you want, including Thunderbird, GNUCash, etc.

I've had great success with it. Give it a shot.

* - You must have admin privileges in order to run it as portable. Otherwise, check out TCexplorer http://www.portablefreeware.com/?id=1311 in order to access a container without admin privileges.

Top
June 17, 2008 - 9:11pm
(Reply to #2)
NiveusLuna
Offline
Last seen: 10 years 4 months ago
Joined: 2008-01-07 20:42
Much as I hate suggesting

Much as I hate suggesting it... Sandisk's Cruzer drives have such a feature built into them via U3. I'd much rather run PortableApps than U3, but if you need security, U3 is probably the better deal.

"Those who fear the darkness have never seen what the light can do." -- Selenia, Dark Angel

Top
June 17, 2008 - 9:23pm
(Reply to #3)
Tim Clark
Tim Clark's picture
Offline
Last seen: 12 years 5 months ago
Joined: 2006-06-18 13:55
I use it and it works

I use it and it works for me
And it works perfectly well with my portableapps.

But of course I'm just worried about someone finding my drive and poking around, not someone on a Mission to get MY drive and MY data.

If the Homeland Security or an UberGeek wants your data, they can get it.

Tim

Things have got to get better, they can't get worse, or can they?

Top
June 20, 2008 - 1:29pm
(Reply to #4)
ggrosser
Offline
Last seen: 2 years 9 months ago
Joined: 2008-04-24 13:26
I looked at truecrypt and

I looked at truecrypt and appeared to be very in depth. Would you have any suggestions for a more user friendly program for those of us who aren't so technically inclined? I don't know, but maybe something like this might be coming out in future updates of the PA program.

Thanks,
G

Top
June 21, 2008 - 3:19pm
(Reply to #5)
USBman
Offline
Last seen: 1 year 4 months ago
Joined: 2006-10-11 17:43
Read up

I can understand that it looks intimidating. I would encourage you to try to get past that though - it really is a terrific tool and, actually, it only looks intimidating.

Just sit on down and read the online documentation ( http://www.truecrypt.org/docs ) - it's really not complex writing and it's broken down into bite-size pieces.

Give it a shot - you'll be happy, and proud of yourself. ...besides, TrueCrypt fits the request perfectly. ...in the famous words of Rob Schneider, "YOU CAN DO IT!"

Top
June 13, 2008 - 12:32pm
LnksWolf.Portab...
Offline
Last seen: 15 years 3 months ago
Joined: 2008-06-12 13:20
A problem

When i tried TrueCrypt Portable it put all of the filles on the drive a unknown file type, so i dont know why it does that. it even sabotages the autorun

Top
June 13, 2008 - 1:20pm
(Reply to #7)
RMB Fixed
Offline
Last seen: 13 years 8 months ago
Joined: 2006-10-24 10:30
..

Did you read the manual ? No ?

Top
Log in or register to post comments