Creating an encrypted container at TrueCrypt

Creating an encrypted container

 This presentation is a tutorial of creating a
container using TrueCrypt.
 Container is a encrypted file that can be
mounted as a drive.

Gabriel Caldas – www.openexperience.wordpress.com - gcaldas08@gmail.com


→ This is the main page of
TrueCrypt.

→ We can observe some
buttons, those on Volume area
are used to select a container
or a device.

→ So, to create a container we
select the ”Create Volume”
button.


→ After clicking on
”Create Volume” button,
this Volume Creation
Wizard appers.

→ We can notice 2
options: One is to create
a container, the other is
to create a encrypted
partition.

→ We will choose the
first one: ”Create an
encrypted file container”


→ Here we have 2
options: One is to create
a normal container, the
other is to create a
hidden container.

→ The hidden container
is useful in a situation
that you are forced to
reveal the password.

→ So let's choose the
first option: ”Standard
TrueCrypt volume”.

→ Find more about Hidden Volumes at:
http://www.truecrypt.org/hiddenvolume


→ Well almost there! But
first we will have to
choose a location for our
file.

→ You can create your
file at your disk or USB
pendrive.

→ This container is a
normal file, it can be
copied, removed,
renamed. But it will
only mount with
TrueCrypt and your
→ And it is good to know that, if you password.
choose an existing file, it will delete your
file and will create a new file with the same
name as your original!


→ Well this is one of
the almost important
step!
Here you can choose
the encryption
algorithm, the hash
algorithm, you can
perform some tests on
encryption and you
can have a
benchmark.

→ On the next slides I
will open a parenthesis
to show the options
and the benchmark.


→ These are the options of algorithms that
we have.

→ Notice that there are 3 ”main” algorithms,
the other options are just a ”mix” that the
program does.

→ Notice too that this mix are more like
layers. Its like:

Data > AES > Twofish > Serpent

→ And to reach the data we have to decrypt
Serpent, then Twofish, AES and finally we
reach the data!

→ So choose the best option to → BUT the process gets slower as the we
fit your objective! put one more layer!



→ At the Encryption
Algorithm Benchmark we can
choose the size of the buffer
and simulate how fast it will
work on your computer.

→ As I noticed on the last
slide, as more layer we put
on, more slower is the
process of encryption and
decryption!


→ After choosing the
algorithm that better fits
your requirements, we
choose the hash algorithm.

→ The hash algorithm is
used by the ”TrueCrypt
Random Number
Generator” as a
pseudorandom ”mixing”
function.

→ There are 3 hash
algorithms: RIPMED-160,
SHA-512, Whirlpool.
→ Go to the following page, if you wanna know
more about the hash algorithms:

http://www.truecrypt.org/docs/?s=hash-algorithms



→ Now you choose
the size of the
container.


→ This part is the most
important! You must have
in mind that the user is the
most weak part in
Information Security!

→ Choose a very good
password. There are some
tips to create good and
strong passwords.

→ Keyfiles are some files
that works like password,
you can choose a file or a
group of files. And then
your container will only
open if you input these
files.
→ Nice tips on password generation can be found on:
http://support.kaspersky.com/faq/?qid=208281741


→ Now is time to choose
the filesystem.

→ Its good to know that
this filesystem interferes
directly on where you will
be able to mount your
container.

→ Windows systems
cannot read Linux EXT2,
EXT3, EXT4.

→ So if you use
Windows you have to
choose FAT.

→ Usually FAT is the
filesystem of pendrives
or SD cards.


→ Here is the last step before
the formating.

→ As your computer do not
generates any random
numbers, in fact it only gets
numbers from your
Input/Output interfaces.

→ So as much randomly you
moves your mouse, more
random is your ”Random Pool”

→ If you are paranoid, you can
unmark the ”Show” box, this
makes your numbers dont
apper on screen. Because if
somebody access your video
memory, he can see what was
on your video.



→ When this dialog box
appers, your container is
where you choose to put.



→ Back to the TrueCrypt main
page, you can mount now your
volume.

→ Select it on the ”Select File”
button, and then mount it! =)



 Thank you for reading it!
 Find more useful tips, tools and tutorials at
www.openexperience.wordpress.com
 If you liked it, share it! =)
 ...and press the like button! =)


References:

 http://www.truecrypt.org/
 http://www.truecrypt.org/docs/


Creating an encrypted container at TrueCrypt

Recommended

Recommended

More Related Content

Featured

Featured (20)

Creating an encrypted container at TrueCrypt