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TrueCrypt is an opensource application that will allow you to setup an encrypted volume in which you can store your private data. Because TrueCrypt is opensource, it is distributed freely and it is highly resistant to backdoors and other security exploits. Let’s walk through the application to see how easy it is to use.

The simplest way to get started is to click on the “Create Volume” button. After you click the “Create Volume” button a wizard will help you through the process of setting up a TrueCrypt volume.

Now you may select between a standard volume or a hidden volume. A hidden volume creates a volume within another volume, but the average user will not require this level of security. If you do not believe that your private data is worth your torturing, then you will not need a hidden volume. Hidden volumes allow people that are being blackmailed or tortured to reveal their password without compromising the security of the data in the second volume. If you do choose to create a hidden volume, then please read the TrueCrypt manual to learn how to set it up properly.

Next you will need to choose the location, file name, and file extension of your encrypted volume. You should make it as inconspicous as possible.

Example: “The Doors – Roadhouse Blues.mp3″

You should take into consideration the average file size of the extension that you choose and the amount of data that you need to encrypt. The above expample would be a good choice if you needed to encrypt 5MB of data, but it would not be a good choice if you needed to encrypt 5GB of data. A 5GB .mp3 file may arouse suspicion because the average file size of a single-song .mp3 file is 4MB. A more appropiate file extension for a 5GB volume may be .mpg or .exe

Now it is time to choose the algorithm. Serpent, AES, Triple DES, and Twofish are all appropriate for the average user, but if you want a higher level of security and you don’t mind longer encryption times then you should choose a cascading configuration such as Serpent-Twofish-AES.

Click next and you will be taken to the volume size form. The desired size of the volume depends on how much data you need to store, but if you are only storing textual documents then 200MB should suffice.

It is time to create the password that will be used to mount the volume. You should follow the instructions on the form in order to create a strong password. You also have the option to use a keyfile which will enhance the level of security. If you use this option it is recommended that you make backups of each keyfile.

Now that the volume is created you must mount it in order to move your data over to it. Click the “Select File..” button and then navigate to the file that you created through the wizard. After you have located and opened the file, you must click the “Mount” button. When you enter the correct password (and keyfiles if you used this option) your TrueCrypt volume will be mounted and you may now move any file into it. When you are finished unmount the volume to restrict access to the files.

Visit the TrueCrypt website: TrueCrypt