How to use TrueCrypt Traveler Disk

Last Updated: 17/11/08

Before using Truecrypt Traveller Disk you must first create an encrypted USB key by following the steps outlined in 'How to create a portable encrypted USB key using TrueCrypt'.Here this document contains information on

• How to use TrueCrypt Traveler Disk (steps 1-6)
• How to create a backup of the password header in case the password is lost (steps 7-10)
  

Step 1

To use the newly created key,quit truecrypt,remove the USB key and reinsert it. Autoplay will give you the option of running TrueCrypt, and you will be prompted for your password. TrueCrypt will mount two disks - one the open area of the disk containing the software, and a new drive which has the capacity of the encrypted file created earlier. All files placed in this container are encrypted. Note:If Autoplay doesn't work, run TrueCrypt when the drive is connected, and go through steps 2-6.

Step 2

Choose a Drive to use, in this case we select Drive M: Then Click on Select File.

Step 3

In the file selector browse to your USB drive and select the Container file(this file is the secure_drive_file that you created in Step 4 of  'How to create a portable encrypted USB key'. Then click Open.

Step 4

Go to the TrueCrypt main window and choose a drive letter to which the TrueCrypt Container will be mounted. Click Mount.

Step 5

Enter the password you created in Step 11 of 'How to create a portable encrypted USB key'. Click OK.

BACKING UP THE DRIVE AND KEY FILES.

Last Updated: 17/11/08

BACKING UP THE DRIVE AND KEY FILES -The encrypted file password cannot be recovered if forgotten. For this reason, it is a very good strategy to create a backup key file with a known password to be kept safely elsewhere (this is a small file, so you can email it to yourself for example, just don't send the password with it).

Step 7

Browse the TrueCrypt Drive (it has the TrueCrypt icon). Run the truecrypt.exe. Note that the encrypted drive is a seperate drive(in this case its the H: drive).

Step 8

Click to select the encrypted drive, and click on Dismount. Note: Dismount appears as an option once you select a drive.

Step 9

Using the 'Select File' option, choose the volume file you just dismounted. Click on 'Volume tools' and select 'Backup Volume Header'.

Step 10

Enter your password as directed, and select that the file does not have a hidden volume.After the various warnings, give the file a name and store it somewhere secure. For example copy to CD and store securely.

Other articles you might be interested in

To download a pdf version of this document click here.