TrueCrypt is a software designed to protect your important data by encrypting it. It can also maintain an on-the-fly-encrypted volume (data storage device).
Files can be copied to and from a mounted TrueCrypt volume just like they are copied to/from any normal disk (for example, by simple drag-and-drop operations). Files are automatically being decrypted on-the-fly (in memory/RAM) while they are being read or copied from an encrypted TrueCrypt volume.
Similarly, files that are being written or copied to the TrueCrypt volume are automatically being encrypted on-the-fly (right before they are written to the disk) in RAM. Note that this does not mean that the whole file that is to be encrypted/decrypted must be stored in RAM before it can be encrypted/decrypted. There are no extra memory (RAM) requirements for TrueCrypt.
Here are some key features of "Portable TrueCrypt":
· Creates a virtual encrypted disk within a file and mounts it as a real disk.
· Encrypts an entire partition or storage device such as USB flash drive or hard drive.
· Encrypts a partition or drive where Windows is installed (pre-boot authentication).
· Encryption is automatic, real-time (on-the-fly) and transparent.
· Provides two levels of plausible deniability, in case an adversary forces you to reveal the password:
- 1) Hidden volume (steganography – more information may be found here).
- 2) No TrueCrypt volume can be identified (volumes cannot be distinguished from random data).
· Encryption algorithms: AES-256, Serpent, and Twofish. Mode of operation: XTS
What's New in This Release: [ read full changelog ]
· On systems where certain inappropriately designed chipset drivers were installed, it was impossible to encrypt the system partition/drive. This will no longer occur.
· (Windows Vista/XP/2008/2003)
· Other minor bug fixes. (Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux)
