Encrypting thumb drive

[CharType]

I'm trying to encrypt a USB thumb drive on my Mac. But when I try I get the error message "A GUID Partition Table (GPT) partitioning scheme is required." I've looked at the instructions here: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4946118?tstart=0. But they don't work. There is no "Partition" button in Disk Utility for me. Can someone give me working instructions on how to encrypt a thumb drive? My version is OS X Yosemite 10.10.5.

 

[harryb2448]

First format the flash drive Mac OS Extended (Journaled) then into Partition > Options > Select GUID, and when completed then try to parttion the drive. How large is it and be very careful with encryption as it is impossible to reverse if yoy lose/forget the password. This applies with you hard drive as well.

 

[pm-r]

For more help if needed, when in Disk Utility use it's Help from the menu and there should be an option heading: Protect a disk with a password.

Select it and read/follow the directions.

I don't think apple uses the encrypt or encryption description for some strange reason. Maybe they just use a different method…???






- Patrick
==========

 

[CharType]

I followed the instructions under "Protect a disk with a password." I tried to erase the drive, setting the format to Mac OS Extended (Journaled) and otherwise using the default settings. I got the following error:

"Secure Erase Free Space failed with the error:

Couldn’t create temporary file."

 

[pm-r]

I guess googling on that error message would be a next step:
https://www.google.ca/search?client...&oe=UTF-8&gfe_rd=cr&ei=v-RmWNa_CNLe8AeZ556oCA

Maybe there's some useful hits that could help.

If Disk Utility was attempting to do any "zeroing out" on the flash drive, I believe the latest versions prevent that from happening on any solid state drive or maybe gives such an error message.

Or the thumb drive is possibly kaput or maybe locked somehow!!







- Patrick
==========

 

[chscag]

I'm trying to encrypt a USB thumb drive on my Mac. But when I try I get the error message "A GUID Partition Table (GPT) partitioning scheme is required." I've looked at the instructions here: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4946118?tstart=0. But they don't work. There is no "Partition" button in Disk Utility for me. Can someone give me working instructions on how to encrypt a thumb drive? My version is OS X Yosemite 10.10.5.

You're getting that error because your thumb drive is formatted to FAT-32. Just format the thumb drive to Mac OS extended Journaled and the GUID partitioning scheme will be automatically applied. Then, you can go ahead and encrypt it with FileVault. You can not encrypt a FAT-32 thumb drive or any other drive formatted to FAT-32.

 

[pm-r]

Just format the thumb drive to Mac OS extended Journaled and the GUID partitioning scheme will be automatically applied.

I thought from what I read that's exextly what they were truing to do:

I followed the instructions under "Protect a disk with a password." I tried to erase the drive, setting the format to Mac OS Extended (Journaled) and otherwise using the default settings. I got the following error:

Or am I missing or misreading and misunderstanding something???






- Patrick
==========

 

[chscag]

I answered his first post about the GUID partitioning scheme. You're talking about a different error he encountered in his post #4. Apparently, he tried to securely erase the free space on the drive. (A temporary file could not be created on the thumb drive.)

 

[Randy B. Singer]

I'm trying to encrypt a USB thumb drive on my Mac. But when I try I get the error message...

I suggest that you make life easier on yourself, and instead of trying to encrypt the entire USB flash drive, I'd simply create a large encrypted folder on the drive (or even on your Mac's desktop and then copying it to the USB flash drive) using:

Crypt3 (free)
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/crypt3/id413756594?mt=12

Opening the encrypted folder requires nothing more than double-clicking on it, and entering the password.

The encryption is so strong that supposedly even the FBI wouldn't be able to decrypt it.

 

[McBie]

Back to basics and no fuss .....

http://www.ironkey.com/en-US/

I have been using them ever since they were invented.

Cheers ... McBie

 

[pm-r]

I'd simply create a large encrypted folder… …Crypt3 (free)

Is there any advantage to using Crypt3 (free) etc. over Disk Utility and it's Create an Image option???

Just curious.





- Patrick
==========

 

[Randy B. Singer]

Is there any advantage to using Crypt3 (free) etc. over Disk Utility and it's Create an Image option???

Just that it's much easier to use.

 

[pm-r]

Just that it's much easier to use.

OK, but from an earlier version comment at that URL. I think I'll stick with Apple's method thanks and I wouldn't want to have a secure folder of data I couldn't access later on:








- Patrick
==========

 

[Randy B. Singer]

OK, but from an earlier version comment at that URL. I think I'll stick with Apple's method thanks and I wouldn't want to have a secure folder of data I couldn't access later on

As long as you have the Crypt application, and a Macintosh it is designed to run on, that should never be a problem. You are concerned about nothing.

If you move to a new Mac in the future, and Crypt will no longer run on it, or a new version isn't backwards compatible, you just decrypt all of your old archives on your old Mac before moving them over to the new machine.

There is no such thing as an application that will always be backwards compatible with older file formats. Even from huge companies like Apple or Microsoft. Ask any MacWrite, AppleWorks, or even early Microsoft Word users. If you are afraid to use an application because one day a new version may no longer be backwards compatible, you should probably not be using a personal computer. The abandonment of old file formats, and outdated applications, is constant. Users just convert their files and move on when necessary. There's no need for a fuss.

 

[chscag]

The abandonment of old file formats, and outdated applications, is constant. Users just convert their files and move on when necessary. There's no need for a fuss.

Totally agree with this. And for info purposes, Apple is working on a new file system that will eventually replace HFS+, which by the way, is a very old file system.

 

[CharType]

You're getting that error because your thumb drive is formatted to FAT-32. Just format the thumb drive to Mac OS extended Journaled and the GUID partitioning scheme will be automatically applied. Then, you can go ahead and encrypt it with FileVault. You can not encrypt a FAT-32 thumb drive or any other drive formatted to FAT-32.

How do I format it to Mac OS Extended Journaled? I opened Disk Utility and I can't find a "format" button anywhere.

Back to basics and no fuss .....

http://www.ironkey.com/en-US/

I have been using them ever since they were invented.

Cheers ... McBie

That costs money though. I would like to not spend any more money on this if possible.

I suggest that you make life easier on yourself, and instead of trying to encrypt the entire USB flash drive, I'd simply create a large encrypted folder on the drive (or even on your Mac's desktop and then copying it to the USB flash drive) using:

Crypt3 (free)
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/crypt3/id413756594?mt=12

Opening the encrypted folder requires nothing more than double-clicking on it, and entering the password.

The encryption is so strong that supposedly even the FBI wouldn't be able to decrypt it.

I tried this and it seems to work. It's kind of a pain to use because I need to enter my password twice whenever I want to edit the file: once to decrypt and again to re-encrypt. Still, it works for my purposes and I'll use it for now. Thanks for the suggestion.

 

[pm-r]

I tried this and it seems to work. It's kind of a pain to use because I need to enter my password twice whenever I want to edit the file: once to decrypt and again to re-encrypt.

If you don't like that method and typing passwords, you can always just create a Hidden or Invisible Folder and depending on your security needs, but I don't think one can escape completely without any typing to access and use them.

If interested, see some sites such as:
http://osxdaily.com/2010/05/10/create-a-hidden-folder-in-mac-os-x/
http://www.howtogeek.com/211496/how-to-hide-files-and-view-hidden-files-on-mac-os-x/

Or even maybe:
Quickly Show/Hide Hidden Files on macOS Sierra, OS X El Capitan & Yosemite
http://ianlunn.co.uk/articles/quickly-showhide-hidden-files-mac-os-x-mavericks/

PS: Don't forget that even a good short password can ease some typing and still provide some decent security.






- Patrick
==========

 

[CharType]

It's not the typing a password that I mind (that seems unavoidable for security), it's that I need to do it twice per edit instead of just once. The second time serves no security purpose, it's just extra typing.

 

[pm-r]

It's not the typing a password that I mind (that seems unavoidable for security), it's that I need to do it twice per edit instead of just once. The second time serves no security purpose, it's just extra typing.

Yuk!!! I see what you mean, and I just tried using it. Not quite what I'd call up to Apple standards and not even any right or control click options, nothing!!!

Too crude and awkward for me to even consider using.

But I just tried making a mountable encrypted folder image with Disk Utility that was password protected that seemed and used to be much simpler as I recall, but for some reason I couldn't get it to make me have to use the password to open and mount it. A bit strange, but maybe you could try and get better success.

As I recall how such an image used to work, it was much more logical than using that Crypt3 thing. Not wonder it's free, 'cause I sure wouldn't pay anything to use it.






- Patrick
==========

 

[pm-r]

Well, dumber than dumb here, I finally found out why the password wasn't needed on an encrypted folder created with Disk Utility as this article expains:

"Uncheck the box next to "Remember password in my keychain." (Leaving it checked will allow you to open the folder without entering the password, since it's stored in your keychain.)"

That makes a difference and it works quite well.

Maybe have a look and this seems to works for most OS X versions:
http://mac-how-to.wonderhowto.com/h...ting-files-folders-mac-os-x-yosemite-0160423/






- Patrick
==========