Data Encryption Memory sticks

witch · 21-01-2008, 01:49 PM

The head has started to worry about the sensitive data teachers carry around on their memory sticks and has asked me to find some sort of encryption software, preferably free that will make the info safe if it 'falls into the wrong hands'

Has anyone got any ideas of what I can use?

Netman · 21-01-2008, 02:01 PM

I use axcrypt http://www.axantum.com/AxCrypt/

plexer · 21-01-2008, 02:03 PM

I use truecrypt.

Ben

dhicks · 21-01-2008, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WITCH

Has anyone got any ideas of what I can use?

See also TrueCrypt (http://www.truecrypt.org/), which encrypts a whole volume at a time.

Quote:

Originally Posted by plexer

I use truecrypt.

Edit: Beat me to it!

--
David Hicks

elsiegee40 · 21-01-2008, 02:17 PM

Thanks for starting this thread WITCH and for the replies. Truecrypt looks like the solution to a little problem we have here!

witch · 21-01-2008, 02:42 PM

I don't think I quite understand how you do it? Do you put it on the stick, the computer, or both? And what about putting the stick in a computer that doesn't have the encryption software?
This is really dim of me - blame Monday/teenagers/life!!

Geoff · 21-01-2008, 02:48 PM

The software is on the machine. The stick is the encrypted device. If you put the stick in a machine that doesn't have the softwware you can't decrypt it.

dhicks · 21-01-2008, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WITCH

Do you put it on the stick, the computer, or both? And what about putting the stick in a computer that doesn't have the encryption software?

TrueCrypt encrypts whole volumes (i.e. whole memory sticks) at a time. You'll need the software installed on any computer you want to be able to read the volume with. Axcrypt encrypts a file at a time, and has an option to make self-decrypting files.

--
David Hicks

skunk · 21-01-2008, 02:57 PM

Truecrypt can run in traveller mode I believe, where you set it up to carry around the software on the stick.

mavhc · 21-01-2008, 03:14 PM

You need admin rights to run Truecrypt in traveller mode version though. I have an autorun file to ask for the password on startup, but it doesn't use an already installed version if that exists, so still fails if you don't have admin rights.

In that case you'd need to run the actual program and mount the drive that way, even less user friendly, my users can't cope with unmounting 2 drives in order.

Midget · 21-01-2008, 06:05 PM

how about Pretty Good Privacy ? OpenPGP is opensource and there are some GUI versions as well

witch · 21-01-2008, 06:23 PM

I was going to ask about admin rights as the teachers have admin rights on their own laptops but not on the school machines.
Also I can see a problem as they would have to install it on their home machines, and, frankly, I am not sure how many would manage that.
Still - that is the sort of thing the head wants to know. I think doing the whole stick would be a good idea as after all it is the property of the school. They can use their own stick for anything unencripted.
Thanks guys

pete · 22-01-2008, 09:59 AM

Have a look at Toucan from http://portableapps.com/apps/utilities/toucan which should run without any need for admin privileges.

nb: haven't used it myself, I use gpg.

Lalka · 05-06-2008, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by witch

The head has started to worry about the sensitive data teachers carry around on their memory sticks and has asked me to find some sort of encryption software, preferably free that will make the info safe if it 'falls into the wrong hands'

Has anyone got any ideas of what I can use?

I would recommend Rohos mini-free encryption software.

Rohos Mini Drive creates hidden and encrypted partition on the USB flash drive memory. You work with the files on the hidden partition without opening a special program. Those who have megabytes of sensitive files on the USB drive and seriously concerned with a data security, cannot imagine their USB stick without the hidden volume that is created using this tool.

It doesn’t require Administrator Privileges to open password protected USB drive partition! Easy to setup, easy to use. Intuitive USB flash drive Setup Wizard automatically detects your USB flash drive and setup an ecnrypted partition properties. You just need to provide a protection password. One click - and you can save your first file into protected volume. Encryption is automatic and on-the-fly.
They've got a new feature - virtual keyboard, no worries if there is a key logger

I've been using it for months now and consider it a great program

RabbieBurns · 05-06-2008, 12:26 PM

I bought a fingerprint enabled usb device that only opens up the secret partition once a registered fingerprint has been swiped to test out.. seems pretty good so far...

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21-01-2008, 01:49 PM	#1
witch Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Dorset Posts: 2,033 Thanks: 7 Thanked 38 Times in 35 Posts Rep Power: 18	Data Encryption Memory sticks The head has started to worry about the sensitive data teachers carry around on their memory sticks and has asked me to find some sort of encryption software, preferably free that will make the info safe if it 'falls into the wrong hands' Has anyone got any ideas of what I can use?

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Data Encryption Memory sticks

21-01-2008, 02:01 PM	#2
Netman Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Bournemouth Posts: 535 Thanks: 64 Thanked 48 Times in 23 Posts Rep Power: 17	I use axcrypt http://www.axantum.com/AxCrypt/

21-01-2008, 02:03 PM	#3
plexer Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Norfolk Posts: 4,274 Thanks: 30 Thanked 102 Times in 101 Posts Rep Power: 33	I use truecrypt. Ben

21-01-2008, 02:17 PM	#5
elsiegee40 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Kent Posts: 1,683 Thanks: 97 Thanked 60 Times in 53 Posts Rep Power: 18	Thanks for starting this thread WITCH and for the replies. Truecrypt looks like the solution to a little problem we have here!

21-01-2008, 02:42 PM	#6
witch Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Dorset Posts: 2,033 Thanks: 7 Thanked 38 Times in 35 Posts Rep Power: 18	I don't think I quite understand how you do it? Do you put it on the stick, the computer, or both? And what about putting the stick in a computer that doesn't have the encryption software? This is really dim of me - blame Monday/teenagers/life!!

21-01-2008, 02:48 PM	#7
Geoff Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Fylde, Lancs, UK. Posts: 9,932 Thanks: 42 Thanked 230 Times in 209 Posts Blog Entries: 1 Rep Power: 67	The software is on the machine. The stick is the encrypted device. If you put the stick in a machine that doesn't have the softwware you can't decrypt it.

21-01-2008, 02:57 PM	#9
skunk Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: North West Posts: 53 Thanks: 3 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Rep Power: 0	Truecrypt can run in traveller mode I believe, where you set it up to carry around the software on the stick.

21-01-2008, 03:14 PM	#10
mavhc Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Nottinghamshire Posts: 14 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Rep Power: 0	You need admin rights to run Truecrypt in traveller mode version though. I have an autorun file to ask for the password on startup, but it doesn't use an already installed version if that exists, so still fails if you don't have admin rights. In that case you'd need to run the actual program and mount the drive that way, even less user friendly, my users can't cope with unmounting 2 drives in order.

21-01-2008, 06:05 PM	#11
Midget Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: In a Server Room cutting through a forest of Cat5e Posts: 1,024 Thanks: 1 Thanked 6 Times in 6 Posts Rep Power: 8	how about Pretty Good Privacy ? OpenPGP is opensource and there are some GUI versions as well

21-01-2008, 06:23 PM	#12
witch Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Dorset Posts: 2,033 Thanks: 7 Thanked 38 Times in 35 Posts Rep Power: 18	I was going to ask about admin rights as the teachers have admin rights on their own laptops but not on the school machines. Also I can see a problem as they would have to install it on their home machines, and, frankly, I am not sure how many would manage that. Still - that is the sort of thing the head wants to know. I think doing the whole stick would be a good idea as after all it is the property of the school. They can use their own stick for anything unencripted. Thanks guys

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22-01-2008, 09:59 AM	#13
pete Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: In the server room, with the lead pipe. Posts: 1,042 Thanks: 26 Thanked 36 Times in 25 Posts Rep Power: 15	Have a look at Toucan from http://portableapps.com/apps/utilities/toucan which should run without any need for admin privileges. nb: haven't used it myself, I use gpg.

05-06-2008, 12:26 PM	#15
RabbieBurns Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: glasgow Posts: 921 Thanks: 91 Thanked 37 Times in 27 Posts Rep Power: 13	I bought a fingerprint enabled usb device that only opens up the secret partition once a registered fingerprint has been swiped to test out.. seems pretty good so far...

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