One of the most consistently referenced articles here is my procedure for preparing and burning encrypted CDs with TrueCrypt. It ranks highly on Google for “truecrypt cd” and “truecrypt dvd”, so those referred are often searching for the best TrueCrypt container size to use with optical media. However, while I made a size recommendation for CD-R’s explicit in the original article, I only mentioned DVD-R’s in passing, enough to match the keyword but not to convey the actual answer people are looking for. Allow me to correct that omission now. Continue reading →

A minor update to the TrueCrypt free open-source disk encryption tool arrived today, version 7.1a, some five months since the release of the previous stable version. I have upgraded several systems to the new version without issue, including two laptops with pre-boot authentication and full disk encryption, and a media server where I use TrueCrypt to create and work with encrypted file-container volumes as part of my backup process. Continue reading →

Sparse remarks in the changelog for today’s updated release of the TrueCrypt free open-source disk encryption tool, version 7.1, the first new release in nearly a year. Primarily it looks like they have added support for Mac OS X 10.7 Lion. I venture the usual assessment that this update may safely be viewed as optional for users already running at least TrueCrypt 7.0, the most recent major release, absent those experiencing any specific issues. Continue reading →

A minor bugfix update to the TrueCrypt disk encryption tool, version 7.0a, was released yesterday. The release notes cite minor bugfixes only, so this update may be viewed as optional for users already running at least TrueCrypt 7.0, the most recent major release, absent those experiencing any specific issues. Continue reading →

A minor maintenance update to disk encryption tool TrueCrypt was released yesterday. The release notes cite bugfixes only, so this update may be viewed as optional for users already running at least TrueCrypt 6.1a, the last “highly recommended” maintenance update, absent those experiencing any specific issues. Continue reading →

The latest maintenance release of disk encryption tool TrueCrypt made general availability today, adding most notably updated operating system support, including support for Windows 7 and Mac OS X 10.6. The release notes don’t indicate anything terrifically critical, so this release may be viewed as optional for users already running at least TrueCrypt 6.1a, the last “highly recommended” maintenance update. That being said, I’ll be immediately updating all installations. Continue reading →

I previously discussed the merits of disk encryption as a countermeasure against the physical theft of portable computers and the leakage of private and confidential records that could ensue. But Full Disk Encryption is just scratching the surface of what can be done; the concept can and should be extended to all types of storage media, including portable media. I am currently using TrueCrypt‘s encrypted file-container volume capabilities to create encrypted CD-R’s and USB memory sticks both as part of my own regular secure backup and data vaulting operations and in the implementation of secure backup and data portability solutions for my customers. Continue reading →

Having completed developing and testing a deployment procedure, I am pleased to make available to my customers a brand new service offering: Full Disk Encryption for laptops. Continue reading →