How to Password Protect a USB Flash Drive

Prevent thieves from accessing your stuff

We’ve come at a point when flash drives are not only portable, they’re also able to hold a lot of data. That makes them ideal for professionals who are always on the go.

But before you store valuable information in your USB drive, you should learn how to secure it. This would prevent thieves from stealing the contents of your storage device.

Here are some of the ways you canpassword-protect your flash drive.

Password

Protection with BitLocker

Note:BitLocker is available on Windows 10 Pro and Windows 10 Enterprise.

The easiest way to protect your files is to set a password for the entire flash drive. Windows 10 has a built-in feature that’s designed for this purpose called BitLocker.

Connect your flash drive to one of the USB ports on your computer. OpenWindows Explorer(Windows + E) then right-click your USB drive. SelectTurn on BitLocker. At this point, it will ask you to add and confirm your password. Once done, clickNext.

On the next screen, specify how you’d like to receive your recovery key. Set your preference then clickNext.

On the next screen, selectEncrypt Entire Driveand move to the next page. UnderChoose Which Encryption Mode, selectCompatible Mode. Finally, hitStart Encryptingto begin securing your flash drive.

Once done, head on over to Windows Explorer. Check the icon for your USB flash drive. There should now be a padlock on it to indicate that the content is secure. Double-clicking on the icon will now prompt you to enter a password.

It is at this point that you should remember your password.

Protect Individual Files

If you’re a Windows 10 Pro or Enterprise user, then you can use BitLocker to secure individual files. But Windows Home users aren’t so lucky. There are, however, some workarounds to securing specific files in your USB drive.

If you’re using Microsoft Office, you can use its built-in solution for protecting data. Open the file you want to add a password to. Go toFile>Info. UnderProtect Document, selectEncrypt with Password. Enter a password and confirm it before clickingOK.

Now users would need to enter a password before they can view the file.

This step would require you to install WinZIP or similar compression software. A WinZIP file is commonly used to compress folders. But this program (and others like it) have an option that lets users add a password to encrypted files.

Compressing a file and adding a password is a straightforward process. Right-click on the file you want to be compressed, select Add to Archive, and turn on the option to set a password.

There are third-party vendors who offer data encryption solutions to the mass market. You do have to be careful when using one of these. Make sure you only download from trusted sources and companies.

Bonus:

Hardware solutions

There are hardware-based solutions for those who are serious about encryption. Somehave physical buttons you use to unlock the device. Others require software instead.

However, this type of USB can be expensive. Buying devices with advanced security features like data encryption may be overkill for most users, especially if they’re offered at a steep price point. However, they are an excellent choice for highly sensitive files.

Christopher Jan Benitez is a freelance writer for hire who provides actionable and useful web content to small businesses and startups. In his spare time, he religiously watches professional wrestling and finds solace in listening to ’80s speed metal.Read Christopher’s Full Bio

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How to Password Protect a USB Flash Drive#

Password#

Protect Individual Files#

Bonus:#