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immobilus

macrumors member
Original poster
May 5, 2012
62
4
Before you respond, "Disk Utility can already do that," please know I don't want disk utility to do it. I'm looking for a program that can take a USB drive (used for a backup of my mac) and encrypt it so it cannot be accessed (written to or read) without a password. Particularly, one that encrypts the data multiple times. While I don't want to debate the merits of disk utility or go in depth into why I don't want disk utility to do it, please recognize I'm looking for a reliable, secure, third party software.

Particularly, one that can encrypt the USB without formatting it. (Part of the problem with disk utility is that the USB file format must be FAT, but disk utility apparently will only encrypt HSF+.) I can't find any third party software besides TrueCrypt, which I understand is now a dead project and people recommend to tear clear for security purposes.

Recommendations are appreciated.
 
Why not just encrypt the files with GnuPG? That way you can use any file system you want and you still password protect your files. GnuPG has been in constant use for years by lots of people and is probably one of the most tested encryption programs out there and when it comes to security the more tested a program the more secure it is (less bugs).

Edit: Plus GnuPG is cross platform so you can decrypt on Mac OS X, Windows, Linux, FreeBSD etc etc.
 
Thread revival even though it is a short thread... :p

For login passwords I've been using 1Password and am very satisfied with it. However, for several years now, I've carried an encrypted PDF on my devices that contains account info and history, sensitive stuff I don't want others to access. Recently as some of you might have read about, I lost my iPad on a plane with just such a file and was sweating it a little until my iPad actually was returned! Hurrah!

Anyway, I've thought about the best way to keep sensitive encrypted info I want to carry with me. On my Mac I use a 256 AES encrypted sparse disk image. When its open, I take the word processor document and save it as a pdf, and then using Adobe Reader, I encrypt it with a password, and move it to my other devices manually. When moving an encrypted pdf to my ipad, I simply connect my iPad to my Mac and in iTunes, move the document to the iPad and keep it as an Adobe Reader doc.

I recently noted my older copy of Adobe Reader Professional only encrypts to 128 AES, this is with a simple password. I'd like to move to 256, but I still want something that makes it easy for me to encrypt the sensitive file and move it to another device.

I've discovered a free program on the Apple App Store called DocWallet. I believe it uses 256 AES encryption. Anyone use it? I assume you access your app by navigating through the DocWallet interface and once it's open, the file can be manipulated as needed using your word processor. They also offer syncing of files through their server located in Germany. But, I'm thinking it would be more comforting for me if I was not using an online server to sync, but just manually moving documents from one device to another using a stick usb drive. Is that possible with DocWallet?

@Cromulent mentioned GnuPG in the previous post and I'm wondering how easy it that to get a handle on and to use for securing documents? A quick search seemed to reveal it's more complicated than telling Adobe Reader to Encrypt and punch in a password. I did find this guide, but thought I'd still ask in the forum for input.

With the sparse disk image and with the pdf, the interface to encrypt is included with those mechanisms. With the sparse disk image, the encryption and password are set when the image is created and Disk Image is required to change the password. When using something like GnuPG I assume you are reliant on the software outside of the document to access it?

Then I just spotted this: Secure Filebox. My question would how is a document moved under the umbrella of such a program?

Thanks!
 
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I just discovered that Preview can encrypt PDFs, but I've not been able to verify at what level 128 or 256. Anyone know? One article I found online seemed to insinuate or question if was just the password that was encrypted, not the entire document. I guess I might also wonder about my password protected PDF...although this Apple Support article says the article.

https://support.apple.com/kb/PH20224?locale=en_US

I'm also looking at Crypto Disks on IOS which can create an encrypted volume using the TrueCrypt or VeraCryot standard if I understand it.
 
PDF encryption is unreliable.

Focus on encrypted containers/archives instead if you are transferring files unsafely. Apple’s en VeraCrypt’s encrypted disk images are decent for secure transport between computers. On your Mac, make sure that FileVault is enabled and on an iPhone or iPad make sure that the device has a good password. iOS apps like PDF Expert or Documents 5 from Readdle use the system’s data-protection mechanisms to keep your documents secure, with an optional setting to encrypt the data as long as the device is locked. If you transfer the data locally via iTunes, then there is usually no reason to use anything else.
 
PDF encryption is unreliable.

Focus on encrypted containers/archives instead if you are transferring files unsafely. Apple’s en VeraCrypt’s encrypted disk images are decent for secure transport between computers. On your Mac, make sure that FileVault is enabled and on an iPhone or iPad make sure that the device has a good password. iOS apps like PDF Expert or Documents 5 from Readdle use the system’s data-protection mechanisms to keep your documents secure, with an optional setting to encrypt the data as long as the device is locked. If you transfer the data locally via iTunes, then there is usually no reason to use anything else.

Thanks. For my iPad I just got Crypto Disk which does have an encrypted container. It offers a variety of ways to import documents into it.
 
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