TrueCrypt is a free open source disk encryption software that works on both Windows and Linux platforms. TrueCrypt can on-the-fly encrypt a system partition or entire system drive, i.e. a partition or drive where Windows is installed and from which it boots.
Download and install TrueCrypt.
Once TrueCrypt is installed start TrueCrypt application.
The main TrueCrypt window will appear, click on Create Volume button to start the volume creation wizard.
Choose Encrypt the system partition or Entire system drive.
Two types of volume can be created either Normal or Hidden. In this example we choose the Normal, click Next.
Check Encrypt the whole drive and click Next.
Check Yes for Encryption of Host Protected Area and click Next.
TrueCrypt takes some time in detecting hidden sectors, click Next once it is done.
For the next screen you can choose Single Boot or Multi-Boot.
Multi-Boot option is required If two or more operating systems are installed. Choose Single Boot and click Next.
Select the type of Encryption Algorithm and click Next.
Choose Password, Type in twice and click next.
TrueCrypt gathers random information from your system including the location of your mouse pointer and uses this information to generate keys.
Click Next.
The next step is to create what TrueCrypt calls the ‘Rescue Disk’. This disk will be used in case the boot loader or Windows become corrupted or infected. By default the 'Rescue Disk' was saved as 'TrueCrypt Rescue Disk.iso' in 'My Documents'.
It is the time to burn the newly created .iso file to a cd.
If the rescue disk is not valid it displays error.
if everything goes fine Rescue Disk Verified window appears, click Next.
Click Next.
Next TrueCrypt will begin the pretest to make sure everything is in working order before it begins the encryption process. This will also install the TrueCrypt boot loader on the boot sector of the hard drive.
Click test.
Click OK and restart the system.
After the computer boots up, enter the password which created earlier.
Once the pretest has been successfully completed, click Encrypt.
Click ‘OK’ on the Rescue Disk information window.
Next window starts encrypting the drive. It will take some time, it depends on the size of the drive.
Click ok.
Now the drive has been successfully encrypted.
Conclusion:
TrueCrypt is an excellent option for the encryption requirements. It is absolutely free, and being an open-source software of repute, you can be sure of its safety part.
System encryption involves pre-boot authentication, provides the highest level of security & privacy, because all files, including any temporary files are always permanently encrypted.
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