Data Encryption Memory sticks

[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?

[Netman]

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

[plexer]

I use truecrypt.

Ben

[dhicks]

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.

I use truecrypt.

Edit: Beat me to it!

--
David Hicks

[elsiegee40]

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

[witch]

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]

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]

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]

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

[mavhc]

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]

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

[witch]

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]

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]

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]

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...