These devices are characterized by being very useful when you want to store any type of information easily and quickly. In addition, they are very useful for transferring files and data from one PC to another, to carry them in a pocket or purse from one place to another.
However, being very small devices are easy to lose or forget somewhere . It is usually very common to leave them connected to the computer or in some public place. That is why it is important to protect them with a password taking into account that there you can store private and important information.
In this way, here we will explain how you can start putting password to your external memory and thus prevent others from accessing your data.
Index:
What are the main encryption technologies to protect SSDs and USB sticks ?
Being able to protect our external memories from the manipulation of other people is extremely important especially when we handle important and personal information in it. Given that they are very small and that can be easily forgotten or lost . This way we explain here what are the main ways to protect SSD and pendrive disks.
Can encrypt files
If you are looking for a simple and fast process then you can start encrypt some of the data or files stored on the device . However, there is a problem, and not all files can be encrypted. You can encrypt documents created in Microsoft Excel, Word, or any program in the office package.
Encrypt external memory
Another option we have available is completely encrypt the pendrive entry , that is is set a password so that no Another person can access it. To do this you simply have to be a Windows user and make use of the application called BitLocker which is usually preinstalled in the operating system.
Encrypted partition
In this case it is about dividing your disk or USB in two , one partition will be encrypted with all the data that can be protected and the other not. This requires that you use a program called Rohos Mini Drive .
To be able to do this you will simply have to use the “Configure the USB key” option, there you select the key and click on “Generate”. From this This way you will be completing this process in a very simple and fast way.
Protect USB or storage disk with password Why and which are password? benefits of doing it?
Security is one of the most important factors at all times, especially when we handle personal and private information . Losing data, jobs, personal images stored on the pendrive or disk and leaving them in the hands of third parties can be very dangerous . Therefore, it is important to have protected each one of these data and thus prevent them from falling into the hands of malicious people.
Being able to encrypt each of your data will give you more security when you forget your storage device somewhere or just misplace it.
All this gives you a series of benefits which we mention below:
- It helps you prevent information theft.
- It allows you to create a password to each of your files or for those that you think are more important.
- Avoid deleting files without user permission.
- Help prevent the presence of malware and viruses >.
- Encrypt the pendrive boot , this will allow anyone to access it without your authorization.
Steps to encrypt your external storage devices with any operating system
There are different ways to password encrypt external storage devices in different operating systems , as it is in Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android and iOS. To do this, follow each of the methods we will teach you below:
In Windows 10
In the case of the Windows 10 operating system you can use the BitLocker program, it allows you to create a password for your devices of storage. Usually, this tool is usually already installed in the operating system, in case it is not, you can download it from the following link.
In order to execute this you will simply have to follow these steps:
Download BitLocker for Windows
- When BitLocker is already installed on your computer, you will have to connect the USB drive.
- Then start the “File Explorer” and access the “This computer” option.
- There you will see the units connected to the PC.
- Then right click on the storage unit icon you want to protect and select the “Activate BitLocker” option.
- Now you will see the “Program Configuration Wizard” window.
- Here you will have to check the option to use a password to Unlock the device. This is where you enter the security key that will unlock the disk to access its content. when it is created, click on clearlyNextly.
- In the next step you will have to configure each of the options for key recovery in case it is forgotten. This will allow you to recover it and access the contents of the drive.
- This software allows you to create a secure partition inside the device where you can save the most important and private documents , while the rest of the content will not be blocked. In case you want to encrypt the entire device simply select the option of the “Entire unit” and click on “Next”.
- Here you are offered the option to change encryption mode , check the “Compatible Mode” box, because this is the most appropriate to set the external storage units that are used on different computers. Once selected, click on clearlyNextly.
- To finish the process, select the “Start encryption” box.
- Each Once you enter the device to a device, you will be shown a warning to enter the security code that allows you to access the information stored on it.
On MacOS
Unlike Windows , in MacOS it is much simpler and easier to encrypt storage devices, so much so that there are two different ways of being able to execute this. But, in order to do this it is necessary that the device is formatted and can only be used on Mac computers .
To do this just follow these steps:
- To be able to give format to the disk or USB, it will be necessary to access the tool “Disk Utility”, there you will find the option of ” Application Utilities. ”
- When you have entered the ” Disk Utility “section, select the section of the ” USB Drive “, and click on the deletedRemove.
button
- The device name is indicated in the box that appears on the screen and in the “Scheme” section select the “Map GUID partitions. ” This will activate a new option among those already available in ” Format “ and then you can select the MacOS Plus format.
- Then a new box will appear on the screen where you have to enter and verify the password, which will allow you to unlock the unit later so you can access to the content.
- Once you have entered the access code, select the “Delete” option and it will automatically start on formatting and encryption.
Another method that can be carried out is if the pendrive already has the correct format, in this case it will not be necessary to format it.
To do this follow these steps:
- When the memory is recognized by the Mac right click on it and select “Encrypt USB drive”. This will allow it to be encrypted and will not be lost the files contained in it.
- Once this is done, all the data will be completely safe. The first time you access the device from a new device you will be asked for the security code to unlock it , then you can configure it so that it does not come back to you to ask in that team.
On Linux
In the case of Linux the process is similar to that of MacOS computers, being equally simple and fast. In this case, the device must also be formatted. To do this you will simply have to right click on the unit when it is recognized by the device and select “Format volume ”.
The key to this whole process is in the formatting, since it must select the “Encryption” option. This will allow you to format the hard disk > by directly applying a security code so that it is only you who has access to it.
On Android and iOS
In the case of mobile operating systems this process of encryption is also very easy to perform. Usually, it usually varies a bit between Android phones and iPhone, that is why here we explain how to do this.
Encrypt an iPhone:
In the case of iOS mobiles with higher versions of 8.0 have an encryption system included in your system. To activate it, you simply have to enter a four-digit code or with your fingerprint. To configure all this you must perform these steps:
- Enter the “Settings” of the device.
- Select the “Touch ID and password” section.
- Then click on “Activate” and enter the access code you wish to set on the Smartphone. This way you can start encrypting all your information contained in the terminal.
Encrypt an Android mobile:
In the case of Android mobile devices something very similar happens than the iOS Smartphone , and most of these devices are already encrypted as with the Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge models, the Nexus and the vast majority of New Smartphone with versions higher than 6.0. In the case of having some of these models we will simply have to set the security code or the fingerprint to activate the process.
To do this follow these steps:
- Enter the “Settings” menu of the Smartphone.
- Then select the option of personallyScreen Display.
- Select “Screen lock”.
- And finally press “Create security code”.
List of the best programs and applications to protect free USB drives and paid
It is very possible that at some point you may lose your physical hard drive or pendrive and have it very valuable and private documents and that may fall into the hands of the person not indicated Because of this, different applications capable of protect and encrypt this type of device have been created. That is why here we present the best free and paid applications so you can do this.
Apple FileVault
This tool is available only for Apple customers , it is free and open source that will allow you to encrypt hard drives and pendrive >. It stands out mainly for its easy handling where only with a few clicks you will be able to establish a security code for access to each of your data stored in it.
USB Safeguard
If you are looking for a secure and reliable tool to block your external drives, Safeguard offers you a lot of tools so you can carry this out. It is completely free and supports devices with a maximum capacity of 4GB, in case you want to work with larger units you will have to purchase the premium paid version.
This system has a reminder in case you forget the security code and can only be used in the Windows operating system.
Download USB Safeguard Windows
Rohos Mini Drive
It is also available for Windows and requires a download and installation on the computer for its operation. It stands out for being very simple to use and fast, considering that the encryption process time will depend on the size of the disk.
Download Rohos Mini Drive Windows
VeraCript
VeraCript is a free and open source program and you can install it in a very simple way. It has several languages available including Spanish and is available for Windows, Linux and MacOS. However, in order to access it from another computer, you must have the program installed .
Download VeraCript Windows
Download VeraCript Mac
BitLocker
Also known as the Windows 10 app , which allows to encrypt external memories in a very simple way. This application will give you the opportunity to start protecting each of your data with a password which you will have to access every time you want to enter the device.
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