How to Encrypt a USB Stick with VeraCrypt

By SB •  Updated: 01/30/22 •  3 min read

This encryption method also applies to creating an encrypted volume on your SSD or harddrive of any size.

So why use VeraCrypt?

VeraCrypt is an open-source utility for on-the-fly encryption for Windows, Mac OSX and Linux. The software can create a virtual encrypted disk that works just like a regular disk but within a file. It can also encrypt a partition or the entire storage device with pre-boot authentication. VeraCrypt is a fork of the discontinued TrueCrypt project.

Wikipedia

The blurb from the official site — VeraCrypt is based on TrueCrypt 7.1a. Its main features:

Let’s get to encrypting data — making your USB unreadable by anyone who does not have the proper password. Follow this backup and encryption practice for your removable devices.

Install the VeraCrypt container

First, install VeraCrypt on your computer. Windows and Mac instructions are straightforward. Download and install.

To Use VeraCrypt in Linux, enter the following commands in a Terminal in Ubuntu or an Ubuntu-based distro:

Now to create the encrypted volumes that will contain all your data you want to safeguard:

Your encrypted container is created!

To store data on your encrypted container, mount it:

Backing up your VeraCrypt container:

SB

I've been practicing OSINT and utilizing Linux as my daily operating system for over twenty years. The tools are always changing and so I'm always learning, but helping you understand the value of protecting your own data remains at the forefront of everything I do.