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Encrypting a USB key for use on a computer where I don't have admin access

  • 31-05-2011 4:06pm
    #1
    abelard
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,837 ✭✭✭


    Quick question - I have some sensitive data that I'm using for a Master's dissertation. I have it on a usb key and want to encrypt it in case it was to get lost. The thing is I need to work on the data at home on my own laptop and also in University on the computers there, where I don't have administrator privileges. I tried using TrueCrypt which works fine for just encrypting it, but this renders it unusable in University as I can't run TrueCrypt there (I even tried putting TrueCrypt on another USB key and running it from there).

    Are there any packages out there that will allow me to encrypt the data in such a way that I don't need to run a program needing admin privileges to access the data in University?


Comments

  • #2
    bonzodog2
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,285 ✭✭✭bonzodog2


    Assuming that its just because you want the sensitive data safe even if the USB key is lost, how about you create a ZIP or RAR archive with a password, with your data file(s) inside ?


  • #3
    MarkR
    Moderators, Regional Midwest Moderators Posts: 11,183 Mod ✭✭✭✭MarkR


    You could try something like these or these

    I'm not 100% sure whether they need admin access or not, but it's a starting point.

    I'd recommend the earlier poster's suggestion, and password protect the documents individually using the save as options.


  • #4
    abelard
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,837 ✭✭✭abelard


    bonzodog2 wrote: »
    Assuming that its just because you want the sensitive data safe even if the USB key is lost, how about you create a ZIP or RAR archive with a password, with your data file(s) inside ?

    This sounds like a useful solution. The only thing is I'll be working on the dataset, editing and adding fields and cases. Does that mean I would have to, for example, work on them at home, zip them, move to the usb, unzip them in college, make the edits and save them, zip them again and move the new archive back onto the usb key? It's a level of hassle I can probably live with, just wanted to check if that's the process.


  • #5
    Thomas_S_Hunterson
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,151 ✭✭✭Thomas_S_Hunterson


    bonzodog2 wrote: »
    Assuming that its just because you want the sensitive data safe even if the USB key is lost, how about you create a ZIP or RAR archive with a password, with your data file(s) inside ?

    If it's TrueCrypted with a decent password then it's pretty safe.


  • #6
    bonzodog2
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,285 ✭✭✭bonzodog2


    abelard wrote: »
    This sounds like a useful solution. The only thing is I'll be working on the dataset, editing and adding fields and cases. Does that mean I would have to, for example, work on them at home, zip them, move to the usb, unzip them in college, make the edits and save them, zip them again and move the new archive back onto the usb key? It's a level of hassle I can probably live with, just wanted to check if that's the process.

    Yes. Most archivers support drag-n-drop file addition, so extract to local drive, or to the USB if you don't want to leave the unencrypted file lying around, do your edits and drag back to the archive.
    Thomas_S_Hunterson wrote: »
    If it's TrueCrypted with a decent password then it's pretty safe.

    OP can't use TrueCrypt at college.


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  • #7
    abelard
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,837 ✭✭✭abelard


    bonzodog2 wrote: »
    Yes. Most archivers support drag-n-drop file addition, so extract to local drive, or to the USB if you don't want to leave the unencrypted file lying around, do your edits and drag back to the archive

    I see, cheers. I assume I can just use WinRar to accomplish this?


  • #8
    GarIT
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,671 ✭✭✭GarIT


    If you know anyone with windows 7 ultimate you can get it password encrypted with bit locker or something like that, its part of win7 ultimate, it should be openable on any windows computer xp or later once you have the password.


  • #9
    GarIT
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,671 ✭✭✭GarIT


    abelard wrote: »
    I see, cheers. I assume I can just use WinRar to accomplish this?

    If you used WinRar youd need to be able to install software in college to un rar it wouldn't you?


  • #10
    bonzodog2
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,285 ✭✭✭bonzodog2


    abelard wrote: »
    I see, cheers. I assume I can just use WinRar to accomplish this?

    Indeed. If you do extract to the USB key, and want to be safer, copy some junk file thats bigger to the extracted one after you have dragged it back to the archive, to overwrite it.

    There may be a portable version of Winrar ?, in case the college machine doesn't have it, but then it may not support d-n-d, but it should work if you have the archive open in a Winrar window.


  • #11
    abelard
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,837 ✭✭✭abelard


    bonzodog2 wrote: »
    Indeed. If you do extract to the USB key, and want to be safer, copy some junk file thats bigger to the extracted one after you have dragged it back to the archive, to overwrite it.

    There may be a portable version of Winrar ?, in case the college machine doesn't have it, but then it may not support d-n-d, but it should work if you have the archive open in a Winrar window.

    If I make it a .zip instead of a .rar, would it still work if the college computers have some other program? I know they have one as I've used them to unzip stuff before but I can't remember which program it is....

    edit: a memory stirs within that it might be 7zip, but I'm really not sure...


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  • #12
    GarIT
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,671 ✭✭✭GarIT


    abelard wrote: »
    If I make it a .zip instead of a .rar, would it still work if the college computers have some other program? I know they have one as I've used them to unzip stuff before but I can't remember which program it is....

    edit: a memory stirs within that it might be 7zip, but I'm really not sure...

    AFAIK a .zip file is basic windows stuff any windows pc can open it


  • #13
    abelard
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,837 ✭✭✭abelard


    GarIT wrote: »
    AFAIK a .zip file is basic windows stuff any windows pc can open it

    Oh aye, yeah, that I understand alright. I should have clarified, I wanted to know if it will have drag-n-drop functionality so I can unzip the data, work on it, and drop it back into the password-protected archive


  • #14
    GarIT
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,671 ✭✭✭GarIT


    abelard wrote: »
    Oh aye, yeah, that I understand alright. I should have clarified, I wanted to know if it will have drag-n-drop functionality so I can unzip the data, work on it, and drop it back into the password-protected archive

    A zip file on its own doesn't, if its opened by something other then windows id say its fairly possible though, I don't know though


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