How to Switch From TrueCrypt to VeraCrypt?
If you are a TrueCrypt user, then you might be aware that this hard drive encryption software was brought to its end by its anonymous official developers in May 2014. The SalesForce website, where this hard drive encryption tool was available for download, surprised one and all when it published a warning message stating that the tool is no more under maintenance. That means the tool is not receiving any security updates from its developers. In the warning message, the website also asked the users to switch to other disk encryption tools.
However, if you were not aware of these updates, then now you know that this hard drive encryption tool is no safer to use. However, if you were already aware of these updates, then either you must have already switched a new encryption tool or you must be looking forward to a new alternative encryption tool.
Before, you choose an alternative to TrueCrypt, you should first transform the TrueCrypt’s encrypted data into the non-encrypted format. Then you can use the new encryption tool to get the data freshly encrypted. VeraCrypt is one of the most popular hard drive encryption tools, and it is the preferred choice of many. In this blog, you will read how to decrypt the data encrypted by TrueCrypt, and then how to encrypt that same data using the VeraCrypt.
How to Decrypt a TrueCrypt Encrypted Drive/Partition?
• Open the software on your computer
• Then, right-click on the partition/drive you want to decrypt
• Select ‘Permanently Decrypt’ in the right-click menu
• In the next screen, press ‘Yes’ to confirm the permanent decryption
• Once, more you have to press ‘Yes’ to confirm the decryption
• After confirming twice, the decryption process will finally start, but it will take some time.
• If you continue using your computer, then the decryption process will take more time. Thus, to speed up the process, you can leave the computer unused. That will make all the computer’s resources available for the process of decryption. That is how you can save a few minutes.
• Once, the decryption process is over, you will receive a prompt informing you of the process completion.
• Here, press ‘OK.’
• Here, your computer might suggest a system restart. Press ‘Yes’ and reboot your computer.
Once, you have decrypted the data; it becomes accessible to one and everyone. Keeping your data open like this, especially if its sensitive data, is not safe. Thus, you can use VeraCrypt, an alternative to Truecrypt, and get your data encrypted once again. Using VeraCrypt is safe because this hard drive encryption software is completely under regular maintenance, and hence receiving regular security updates.
How to Encrypt a Drive/Partition with VeraCrypt?
• Download VeraCrypt.
• Install and run it.
• On the main screen, click ‘Create Volume.’
• Click the radio button ‘Create an encrypted file container’ to keep it selected.
• Then, click ‘Next.’
• Next, select the ‘Standard VeraCrypt volume,’ and then click ‘Next.’
• Now, click ‘Select File.’
• Choose a location to save the file.
• Next, name the file (Do not select an already existing file). Next, choose a hash algorithm and encryption algorithm. In this section, you can read information on each encryption algorithm. That will help you in making a selection. Stronger the encryption algorithm will be, longer the encryption process will be.
• Next, choose a size for the file. The file size can be any, provided that much free space is available on the drive where you have saved the file.
• Now, choose a password. Follow the advice of the wizard and as per that create a strong password.
• The next screen is for ‘Volume Format.’ Here you need to choose a file type. You are advisable to use FAT, as that will maintain the maximum compatibility across different platforms and devices. You should also move your mouse cursor around this window for at least 30 seconds to increase the cryptographic strength of the encryption keys.
• Once done, click ‘Format.’
• Then, wait for the confirmation dialogue.
• Now, click ‘OK’ and then ‘Exit.’
With these steps, you have successfully created a VeraCrypt volume (file container). All the files or data stored inside this volume will get automatically created. Now, your hard drive data is all safe with VeraCrypt. Wikipedia page for this tool says, “VeraCrypt is a fork of the discontinued TrueCrypt project.” Thus, it is as effective as its successor. On top of that, this tool is an active software, so it receives regular security updates. Also, it has received security improvements over the issues that were there with TrueCrypt’s code.
