Encryption is the process of rendering plain text unreadable by anyone but the file creator. TrueCrypt can be used to make sensitive data files private such as Microsoft Excel spread sheets. File names, folder names and contents of every file can be encrypted through TrueCrypt. TrueCrypt is an open-source and free security software that runs on Microsoft Windows and Macs. Files can be copied in TrueCrypt volumes like they are copied to any normal disk — by drag-and-drop operations.”It’s just like adding another folder, and anything you put in there becomes encrypted,” said Sheri Thompson, Information Technology communications and planning officer. “But you have to make sure that you have the access to get to it.”The only way to recover or unlock an encrypted file is to try to “crack” the password. A password allows the file to decrypt and become readable, Thompson said. Once the correct password is entered, the file can be opened by double clicking the file’s icon. The operating system then launches the application. But for users who forget their passwords, TrueCrypt does not have any method or ability to partially or completely recover encrypted data without the correct password.”You can’t get it again,” Thompson said. “And that’s a problem. That data is gone.” TrueCrypt volumes are independent of the operating system, and users will be able to open TrueCrypt volumes from any computer. TrueCrypt is an on-the-fly encryption, which means data are automatically encrypted or decrypted right before they are loaded or saved, without any user intervention.
 
 
 
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