How can you password protect a USB - work with linux & win?

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SUMMARY

Password protection for USB drives can be achieved using both hardware and software encryption methods. Hardware-encrypted USB sticks, such as the Kingston Data Traveller Privacy and Kanguru models, provide superior security but at a higher cost. For software encryption, GnuPG is a recommended tool that is portable and can work across Linux and Windows platforms. TrueCrypt, although previously popular for cross-platform encryption, has been discontinued and is not a viable option.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of USB drive encryption methods
  • Familiarity with GnuPG for encryption
  • Knowledge of cross-platform compatibility issues
  • Basic Linux command line skills for using encryption tools
NEXT STEPS
  • Research GnuPG installation and usage for USB encryption
  • Explore alternative USB encryption software options from reputable sources
  • Investigate the features of hardware-encrypted USB sticks
  • Learn about the limitations of using encryption on shared or public computers
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for IT professionals, security-conscious users, and anyone looking to secure data on USB drives across multiple operating systems.

Rectifier
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Hey,
Is it possible to password protect a USB drive and make it possible to acess these protected files on both linux and windows simultaneously?
 
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I have a 32GB hardware-encrypted USB stick that I access on both linux and Windows. It works fine.

Hardware-encrypted sticks are the most secure, but expensive. Software encryption is less secure but much cheaper. I imagine that software encryption on ordinary USB sticks is also possible in a way that works on both linux and Win (and Mac), but I haven't looked into it.
 
What is the name of the stick?

I am looking for a software that can software encrypt my USB sticks.
 
Mine is a Kingston Data Traveller Privacy. There's a brand called Kanguru that does both platforms as well.

It might be hard to find a cross-platform software encrypter. I googled a bit and found a ref to TrueCrypt that it said was cross-platform. But when I followed the link it said it had been discontinued.
 
Rectifier said:
I am looking for a software that can software encrypt my USB sticks.
Look up GnuPG. It's pretty portable.
 
And the other problem I am having is that I will decrypt the USB at my schools computer (I am not root) - which is **bunut (not sure which thoue since they had mint and lubuntu before). So I can't install stuff on their computer.
 

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