Today I will tell you how to put a password on a flash drive. Surely each of us has a flash drive in our pocket or purse, on which there is some data. Flash drives, like all other things, tend to get lost, and since they are small in size, they are more likely to get lost. It’s okay if there is some unimportant data on it, but what if you have important documents or family photos there? What should I do then? - Set a password, that's what!
We will set the password using the built-in Windows tools, without any programs. It's called BitLocker. But there are limitations in this matter, not all Windows edition support this feature.
This function is available in the following OS:
- Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate/Enterprise
- Windows 7 Ultimate/Enterprise
- Windows Server 2008 R2
- Windows 8
So I have an 8 GB flash drive.
Open the file explorer (My Computer) and click on the flash drive right click mouse, thereby calling up the context menu and looking for the BitLocker function. If you have it, then everything is fine, but if it is not there, then this means that your system does not support this encryption method and you will not be able to password-protect the flash drive.
Next, in the window that opens, check the box - “ Use a password to unlock a flash drive". Then we come up with a strong password, which must be at least 8 characters and contain both letters and numbers, otherwise the program will not allow us further. Click - Further
So, we set a password. Now the program prompts us to create and save a key to restore access to data on the flash drive in case we have forgotten the password. You can print it on a printer, or you can save it on your computer. I will save it on my computer. Select the item - Save to file
Select a location on your computer where the file will be saved and click save
In the next window we are informed that the recovery key has been saved and if we have forgotten the password for the flash drive, then using this file we can recover it. Click - Further
Next, it is suggested which part of the disk needs to be encrypted. Since encryption takes relatively for a long time, then I chose the first item, that is, encrypting only the occupied space. If you have super secret information on a flash drive, then select the second option and then the entire flash drive will be encrypted. Click - Further
In the next window, confirm the action and click the button - Start encryption
As I said, encryption takes a while, so you'll have to wait a bit. After the process is completed, press the button - Close
Now remove the flash drive from the computer and reinsert it. Open Explorer " My computer" and we see that a lock has appeared on the flash drive, which means that a password has been set on it.
Now we open it and see that we are asked to enter a password to gain access. Enter it and press the button - Unblock
After which we see that the lock has opened and we can work with files. By the way, files that will be written to the media will be automatically encrypted.
That's basically all I wanted to say in this article. I hope it will help you protect your files from unauthorized access.
Have a good time everyone. Today I will show you how to put a password on a flash drive using the built-in Windows features. If you have Seven Ultimate or Eight PRO installed, then this function, called BitLocker, you have.
I do not guarantee the presence of this program on other versions of Windows. On Windows Starter(Starter) it’s definitely not there!
Get straight to the point!
Insert the USB flash drive and immediately open the Computer section.
We find where our USB device will be displayed and right-click on it. IN context menu select Enable BitLocker.
Check the box Use password and enter it twice. The password must contain both letters and numbers. After installation, click Next.
In the next window we are asked Save recovery key to file. You will need it just in case you forget your password. I recommend choosing the second option Save to file.
Then you need to specify a location on your computer where you can save this key. In the future, the recovery key needs to be hidden in a safe place (if you don’t want someone to hack the password for your flash drive).
When the key is saved, we will be transferred back, where the Next button will already be active.
On next step you need to indicate which part of the disk needs to be encrypted, I recommend selecting the first option. In general, everything there is in Russian, so you can read it.
Now you can start encryption. To put a password on the flash drive all you have to do is press the button Start encryption.
How long will it take? Depends on the size of the flash drive and the amount of occupied space. My 16 GB USB drive was encrypted for about half an hour.
In the same way, you can put a password on the disk, but as you probably already understood, setting the password will take a while. long hours. If I waited a long time for a 16 GB flash drive, I can imagine what will happen with hard drive for 500 gigabytes. Well, you understand :)
Although I have a small plan for how you can put a password on a disk with important data and at the same time reduce the encryption time.
1. You need to create a separate partition on your hard drive with a capacity of about 15-30 gigabytes. I described how this is done in the lesson: .
2. Move to new section all important files that need to be password protected.
3. Put a password on the disk using the method described in this lesson.
We created a small disk, right? This means that encryption will not take many hours. If your partition is 30 gigabytes, then accordingly password protect the disk you can do it in 2-3 hours.
I wish you luck with setting passwords on flash drives and disks.
The use of flash media for storing information is gaining increasing popularity, because they have a number of undeniable advantages over outdated CDs and DVD discs. The flash drive does not take up much space, is easy to use and has a fairly large amount of memory. That is why the question: how to put a password on a flash drive is relevant these days. After all, it can store personal data, important documents and, in general, any other information that you would not want to show to other people.
In this article I will tell you how to put a password on a flash drive using the built-in BitLocker program, or using the free one USB program Safeguard.
BitLocker
You can set a password on a flash drive using the built-in Windows tools. The BitLocker program is used for this. Go to the “My Computer” folder and right-click on the flash drive on which we will set a password. Now in the context menu select the item "Enable BitLocker".
If you didn’t find this item in the context menu, it doesn’t matter. Go to “Start” - "Control Panel".
In the upper right corner, select “View” - “Category”. Then follow the link "System and safety".
In the next list, select the item "BitLocker Drive Encryption".
Select the disk partition that corresponds to the flash drive, I have it (G:), and click on the button opposite it "Enable BitLocker".
In the window that opens, put a tick next to the item "Use a password to unlock the drive". Next, enter the created password, the length of which must be at least 8 characters, otherwise the program will not allow you to continue, and click “Next”.
In the next window, the program offers to save the disk recovery key, this is in case you forget the password. Select an item "Save the recovery key to a file" and select a location on the computer where it will be stored. It’s better if this is the folder where people go least often. Click "Next".
Do not remove the flash drive during encryption. My 1GB flash drive was half full and took 3 minutes to encrypt. Therefore, if your flash drive is larger, be prepared that the process will take a little time.
Now, the flash drive is password protected. Every time you plug it into your computer, a golden padlock will appear next to the disk. We open the flash drive and see that the BitLocker program asks for a password. Enter it and click "Unlock". When the flash drive is unlocked, a silver padlock will appear in the My Computer folder next to it.
If you want to delete or change the password on a flash drive, right-click on it and select from the context menu "BitLocker Management". The following window appears in which you can perform several necessary actions.
USB Safeguard
The USB Safeguard program allows you to set a password on a flash drive. Its clear functionality is suitable for both advanced and novice users. You can download USB Safeguard from the official website: http://www.usbsafeguard.com/download.html. You will be offered two versions to download. The first one is free, suitable for those who have a flash drive up to 2 GB. The second one is paid and allows you to set a password on a flash drive whose volume does not exceed 16 terabytes.
I will install the first - free - version. I click on the “Download now” button and save the installation file.
Now copy the downloaded installation file to the root of the flash drive and run it from the flash drive. The installation of the program is carried out as usual: constantly click “Next”, then “Finish”. Considering that most flash drives are in FAT format, during the installation process the program will offer to format it in NTFS - we agree. Please note that formatting will delete all files from the flash drive, so it is better to copy everything to your computer in advance.
In the next window you need to enter the password for the flash drive. We come up with it, enter it, confirm, in the last field you can enter a hint, you will see it if you forget the password. Click "OK".
Now remove the flash drive and insert it back into the computer. Open it and run the file “USBSafeguard”.
That is, the program creates another protected one on the flash drive. virtual disk Z:. The capacity of this disk is the same as the capacity of a flash drive. When writing a file to the Z: drive, the space on the flash drive will also decrease.
Files that you do not want to protect access to, simply copy directly to the flash drive: in my case it is the G: drive. If you want the file to be protected, copy it to the Z: drive.
Thus, when you connect the flash drive to your computer, you will have access to open files on her. But to open password-protected files, you will need to launch the USBSafeguard program and enter the password. Only after this you will have access to the protected Z: drive.
Now you can put a password on the flash drive. Just choose one of the described methods and I’m sure everything will work out and your personal files and documents will be protected.
A large number of people prefer to store confidential data on a flash drive and carry it with them. What if she gets lost or worse, kidnapped? Information falling into the wrong hands can cause a lot of trouble. Take care of how to put a password on a flash drive when storing something really important on it.
Content:
What is the most effective way to protect data on a flash drive?
The most reliable storage method indeed important information- this means keeping it under the supervision of armed guards deep underground. And in the case of an electronic drive, it must also be disconnected from the network (Internet). The method is exaggerated, but this is not a joke. However, the real world and constant need having access to the necessary data does not allow the use of such methods. For this reason, they were developed various ways restrictions on access to information.
Encryption has become most widespread, since with the right approach, encryption does not allow an attacker or a random person to gain access to the data. Encryption tools that use modern algorithms with long key, subject to user use complex password provide effective protection. The use of such protection will be discussed.
How to put a password on a flash drive without additional programs
The question of how to password protect a flash drive without using special programs. It happens when in right moment There is simply no time to use the special. software. There are two possible options.
First way. You initially took care of purchasing a flash drive with hardware encryption. For such devices, third-party software not required; when connecting to a USB port, you need to enter the PIN code on the keyboard located on the body of the flash drive itself. Disconnecting from the port will result in automatic blocking. It is important to remember that repeated incorrect password entry will result in permanent blocking of all stored information. Toshiba Encrypted USB Flash Drive is one of the representatives of this class of devices.
Second way. Use of improvised means.
Timely concern for protecting data on your phone’s flash drive can come back a hundredfold, since users increasingly trust confidential data to devices they always carry with them (such as phones). Full phone memory encryption is standard for Android versions above 4.0, and for external card memory - starting from version 4.1.1, but in inexpensive models such information protection may not exist.
If you have a non-budget class phone, you can enable encryption in the settings, section “Security”, for which the screen lock with a password must be active, otherwise encryption will not be available. Starting from the sixth version of Android, this option will be enabled initially, which, by the way, has already been implemented in iOS (iPhone).
If unavailable regular funds search Google Play will offer a good selection of programs for data protection. Good feedback has “SSE encryption”, which, among other things, has additional functions such as a text encryptor and a password manager. After installation, you will see an intuitive interface prompting you to select the data to protect.
The situation is somewhat simpler with older Symbian-based phones. In Nokia (it’s the same with phones from other manufacturers), go sequentially to “Menu” - “Settings” - “Protection” - “Protection level”, where select the desired option.
How to password protect a flash drive using programs
Can't say it's a choice software for data protection is meager. In addition to independent developments, every reputable flash drive manufacturer offers its own solution. General principle settings are present, if not in all, then in most of these utilities. Let's look at how to set a password on a flash drive using the program as an example.
- Download the program from the manufacturer's website and install it.
- Connect the flash drive to your computer.
- Launch the program, select “Encrypt USB drive”.
- Come up with good password and enter it in the appropriate fields.
- In the "Disk Settings" section, specify the required size of the protected partition. The peculiarity of the program is that it does not encrypt all data, but creates a special section for these purposes.
- After the input has been specified, you can click “Create Disk”.
Now all data will be reliably protected and hidden from view. You can access them through the main menu of the program or using an executable file created on an unprotected partition (Rohosmini.exe).
The best programs for password-protecting flash memory cards
Not all specialized programs are good for data protection. Some have obvious flaws with stability or reliability. Below we will list and briefly discuss four programs that have already proven themselves to be positive.
Often we have to use removable media for storing personal files or valuable information. For these purposes, you can buy a flash drive with a keyboard for a PIN code or a fingerprint scanner. But such pleasure is not cheap, so it’s easier to resort to software methods setting a password on a flash drive, which we will talk about later.
To set a password on a portable drive, you can use one of the following utilities:
- Rohos Mini Drive;
- USB Flash Security;
- TrueCrypt;
- Bitlocker.
Perhaps not all options are suitable for your flash drive, so it is better to try a few of them before giving up trying to complete the task.
Method 1: Rohos Mini Drive
This utility is free and easy to use. It will not password protect the entire drive, but only a certain section of it.
To use this program, do this:
By the way, with Rohos Mini Drive you can put a password on a folder and on some applications. The procedure will be exactly the same as described above, but all actions are performed with a separate folder or shortcut.
Method 2: USB Flash Security
This utility will allow you to protect all files on a flash drive with a password in a few clicks. To download free version, on the official website you need to click the button "Download Free edition".
And to take advantage of the ability of this software to put passwords on flash drives, do the following:
Now you can again dump the files that you previously transferred to your computer onto the USB drive. When you reinsert it, it will be password protected again, and it doesn’t matter whether this program is installed on this computer or not.
Method 3: TrueCrypt
The program is very functional, perhaps it has the largest number of functions among all the software samples presented in our review. If you wish, you can password protect not only the flash drive, but also the whole HDD. But before doing anything, download it on your computer.
Using the program looks like this:
- Launch the program and click the button "Create Volume".
- Check “Encrypt non-system partition/disk” and press "Further".
- In our case it will be enough to create "Regular Volume". Click "Further".
- Select your flash drive and click "Further".
- If you select “Create and format an encrypted volume”, then all data on the media will be deleted, but the volume will be created faster. And if you choose "Encrypt partition in place", the data will be saved, but the procedure will take longer. Once you have made your choice, click "Further".
- IN "Encryption settings" It's better to leave everything as default and just click "Further". Do it.
- Make sure the specified media capacity is correct and press "Further".
- Enter and confirm the password you created. Click "Further". We also recommend that you specify a key file that can help restore data if the password is forgotten.
- Please indicate your preferred file system and press "Post".
- Confirm the action by clicking the button "Yes" in the next window.
- When the procedure is finished, press "Exit".
- Your flash drive will look like the one shown in the photo below. This also means that the procedure was completed successfully.
- There is no need to touch her. The exception is when encryption is no longer required. To access the created volume, click "Automount" in the main program window.
- Enter your password and click "OK".
- On the list hard drives Now you can find a new disk, which will be available if you insert a USB flash drive and run the same auto-mount. When finished using the button, press "Unmount" and you can remove the media.
This method may seem complicated, but experts confidently say that there is nothing more reliable than it.
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