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To encrypt your data you must first create a TrueCrypt encrypted volume. This volume is actually a file that resides on your hard drive. Any data kept inside this file is encrypted and can only be accessed by your password. To put data into this encrypted file, TrueCrypt maps the encrypted volume to a drive letter (such as the X: drive). All you need to do is to drag and drop files into that drive letter, and the files will be encrypted.
To create an encrypted volume:
1. Run TrueCrypt, and then click on the Create Volume button.
2. The TrueCrypt Volume Creation Wizard window comes up. Make sure that Create a file container is selected and click Next.
3. Choose Standard TrueCrypt volume and then click Next.
4. Click on the Select File... button. Browse to a location that you want to store your encrypted file and choose a filename for it. Note: If you store the file in the My Documents folder, then it is easier to back up the encrypted file (it may be a part of you current backup system). The file name can be anything you like with any extension you want. If you choose to use the .tc extension (as in encrypted_file.tc), then you will be able to mount the file by double clicking on it. Click Next.
5. Choose AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) as the Encryption Algorithm and click Next.
6. Enter the size of the Volume. This is how much storage space you will have to store your encrypted data. You cannot change this later, however, you can create a new larger or smaller volume and manually move your data to it. Note: The recommended size to start with is 250MB. Do not create a volume over 2,000MB as you will not be able to store a file larger than that on most external drives, such as flash drives. If you need a larger volume, then you will need to format your external drive with NTFS or consider using Full Disk Encryption.
7. Specify a password to access this volume. You will need to choose a strong password. One that is a long as possible and is at least 16 characters in length. One recommendation is to use your PID or Hokies password twice. That will get you to 16 characters with an easy to remember password. For more password recommendations click here.
Warning!!!! You must NOT lose this password. If you do, your data is lost. NO ONE can restore this data, EVER!
8. For the Volume Format, choose Filesystem: FAT and Cluster: Default. Move your mouse around the box for a few seconds to randomize the key, then click Format.
9. Click Ok. Then click Exit. The encrypted volume has now been created.
To use the encrypted volume, see How to Access your Encrypted Volume
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