The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    Protecting Information of an External Hard Drive?

    Discussion in 'Windows OS and Software' started by THAANSA3, Jun 15, 2008.

  1. THAANSA3

    THAANSA3 Exit Stage Left

    Reputations:
    171
    Messages:
    1,885
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    Hi all,

    I don't know if this question has been asked before, but is there a way to protect information stored on an external hard drive? Is there a way to encrypt it or password protect it? I appreciate anyone who takes the time to respond. Thank you.

    THAANSA3
     
    Last edited by a moderator: May 8, 2015
  2. KarenA

    KarenA Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    81
    Messages:
    565
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    I think a program like TrueCrypt should be able to encrypt an external harddrive. I haven't tried it myself though.
     
  3. THAANSA3

    THAANSA3 Exit Stage Left

    Reputations:
    171
    Messages:
    1,885
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    I'll give it a try. Thanks, KarenA.

    Does anyone have any other methods?
     
  4. THAANSA3

    THAANSA3 Exit Stage Left

    Reputations:
    171
    Messages:
    1,885
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    Does anyone else have any suggestions or ideas that can be helpful to me?
     
  5. olyteddy

    olyteddy Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    468
    Messages:
    1,369
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    There's plenty of encryption software out there. A lot of it is free. But if none of them suit you, there's always the free and ultra easy 2 step process...
    1) unplug the drive
    2) take it with you...
    That's the most secure you can get.
     
  6. flipfire

    flipfire Moderately Boss

    Reputations:
    6,156
    Messages:
    11,214
    Likes Received:
    68
    Trophy Points:
    466
    putting it on .zip + password . Not the best security

    Some external HD's come with lock programs pre-installed
     
  7. THAANSA3

    THAANSA3 Exit Stage Left

    Reputations:
    171
    Messages:
    1,885
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    I'm assuming that mine doesn't have any lock programs since the box and and pamphlet did not mention anything. I found this website. Does anyone know anything about this program:

    http://www.magic2003.net/
     
  8. x64

    x64 Notebook Geek

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    96
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    put it in a safe. :D
     
  9. KarenA

    KarenA Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    81
    Messages:
    565
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
  10. arjunned

    arjunned Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    288
    Messages:
    766
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    i think the best option is to use truecrypt.. :)
     
  11. crash

    crash NBR Assassin

    Reputations:
    2,221
    Messages:
    5,540
    Likes Received:
    13
    Trophy Points:
    206
    I have the same question as THAANSA3. Thanks for the responses, guys. I'll try out TrueCrypt.
     
  12. THAANSA3

    THAANSA3 Exit Stage Left

    Reputations:
    171
    Messages:
    1,885
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    Thanks. I had already looked up all of the information and am getting ready to install it and give it a shot.

    There really should be an age limit for this forum if there isn't one.:rolleyes2:
     
  13. huangker

    huangker Notebook Guru

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    60
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    I use Truecrypt for exactly that purpose. Use AES and a long random password and you will have a secure harddrive.
     
  14. THAANSA3

    THAANSA3 Exit Stage Left

    Reputations:
    171
    Messages:
    1,885
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    Thank you tremendously. I appreciate the information. I have already downloaded and think I'm finally ready to give it a go.