How to Protect Private Data on USB Flash Drive Using FreeOTFE

Note: Although this article refers to USB flash drives, you can encrypt your computer's hard drive just as easily!

You will be able to encrypt your entire compact disk, USB flash drive, USB memory stick or any other external storage device.

These instructions apply to both "FreeOTFE" and "FreeOTFE Explorer". They do the same thing, but have a slightly different user interface (FreeOTFE creates a virtual disk drive on your computer, Explorer has an explorer-like interface).

Both of them can be copied to a USB flash drive and carried around, but FreeOTFE Explorer is better for using on other peoples computers.

Steps

1.   Create a new virtual encrypted disk by clicking the "New" icon at the top and following the instructions in the wizard. Select "File based volume" when prompted

2.   "Mount" the the disk by clicking the "Mount" icon at the top.

• Entering the filename of the encrypted disk you just created, and it's password.
• A new disk will then appear on your computer!

3.   Fill this disk with your private data

4.   Dismount the virtual encrypted drive using the "Dismount" item on the toolbar. This will cause the new disk to disappear, securing your data.

5.   Move the file-image to the CD, DVD, a USB flash drive, a USB memory stick or any other external storage device

6.   Copy the contents of C:\Program Files\FreeOTFE to the a new folder on your external storage device (you don't need to do this, but then you can take a copy of the software with you and use it on other computers)

7.   To access your private data again, simply click the "Mount" button, and specify the filename of the file-image on your USB drive and your password.The disk will appear again, and you can use your data.