How To Protect The Files On Your Portable Hard Drive

The growing popularity and dropping costs of the portable hard drive have come with an increased need for easy data protection. Now that everyone from your grandmother to your accountant is sporting a USB drive on their keychain, having your personal information stolen is as easy as . . . well, losing your keys.

Here are some ways to ensure that the information on your portable hard drive doesn’t get into the wrong hands:

Encrypt Your Portable Hard Drive

One popular and secure way to protect your files is to utilize data encryption software. There are many companies producing encryption software these days, ranging in price from absolutely free to $150 for personal use. Make sure to choose one that is compatible with portable devices. 

FreeOTFE and TrueCrypt are both specifically designed for portable usage with On The Fly Encryption. Migo Software offers a portable version of their encryption software called Portable Vault. CoSoSys provides data encryption with their Carry it Easy +Plus portable application, which also allows you to synchronize your data with multiple computers.

Use Fingerprint ID

An easy way to simultaneously protect your information and score some serious James Bond points is to buy a portable hard drive that integrates biometric fingerprint authentication. Once only the domain of government agencies and spy movies, fingerprint ID allows you access to your files with a swipe of your finger. It’s simple, secure and relatively inexpensive. And if you and your portable hard drive are ever separated, your arch enemies won’t be able to crack open your secret files!

Password Protect Your Files

Not interested in buying a new hard drive or installing any software? No problem. Versions of Microsoft Windows released since Windows 98 have the ability to password protect your folders built right into them. Check out Microsoft’s Help and Support website for detailed instructions. Microsoft Office has the ability to password protect each of your Microsoft Office documents individually. 

If you are looking for more features, there are many compression products available that allow you to password protect your files. The WinZip compression utility has been used for this purpose for years. WinRar is also a very effective file compression utility with password protection features. Both companies offer free, trial, home and multi-user versions of their software.

A Note of Caution

Do not lose your password. Don’t forget your password. Don’t write your password on a napkin and leave it in your jeans when you wash them. The objective of encrypting and password protecting your portable hard drive is to ensure that people who don’t have your password can’t access your files. If you lose your password, then you become one of those people. Be careful, if you lose your password your files could be lost forever.

And for those of you who went with the 007 fingerprint authentication:  Take good care of your hands.