How to protect your external hard drive from viruses. Protecting your computer from viruses from flash drives and other media

How to protect the external HDD password

What should you do to protect external media with a password yourself?

Protecting data on such devices is permissible by using special utilities. After searching the Internet, I found that the most effective and easiest were TrueCrypt, Folder Guard, Disk Password Protection and Cryptainer + DecypherIT. Finding and downloading them is not difficult. My task is to explain to you *how to protect external hard disk with a password* after installing these utilities.

It is better that the external hard drive is empty before the process. This way it’s faster to work with it and there will be no fear of data loss in case of your wrong actions. If you need to password protect a device with data, I advise you to copy it to your computer.

Now let's look at the use of each of the utilities in more detail.

TrueCrypt

1) launch TrueCrypt;

2) click “Create volume”;

3) select “Encrypt non-system partition”, click next;

5) click the “Device...” button, find and click our device and click ok;

6) then the Volume creation mode window will open. Select the first item if you have cleared or copied your information to another medium. If you haven’t taken care of this, select the second item and wait a longer time than in the first case;

7) in the encryption settings window, leave everything as it is and click next;

8) now we indicate a code of 20 characters and symbols;

9) the Format Volume window appears. To File. syst. select NTFS, leave the rest unchanged and click Partition;

10) encryption has started. The completion time depends on the size of the drive and the data available on it. So clean external drive 1 TB is processed for more than an hour;

11) When finished, click ok and exit. We are thrown into the main menu, where we need to assign a free letter to the volume and then select our drive;

That's all - the device was protected with a password.

After launching it, a window appears in which the connected devices are visible. Click on your connected media with the left mouse button and proceed to install the encryption. It's quite simple. Left-click “Lock with password” and enter the invented numbers and symbols in the top line. And at the bottom we repeat them. Then confirm by clicking OK in subsequent windows. At the end you will be asked to save your settings. You save them and close everything.

Next, when you try to open hard drive, you will be prompted to enter a code. And when you close it, a window will pop up asking whether to leave it classified. If you leave it, then you will enter the code every time you open it. If not, then the hard drive will be back in open access and in order to password protect it you will have to go through the procedure again.

As usual, launch the installed Cryptainer. We see pop-up tips in windows asking you to enter encryption parameters. We do everything they ask. We indicate the location of the encrypted device, its size and password. Next, we get acquainted with the program’s useful features, which appear in new windows and tell you *how to password protect an external hdd* yourself. Then we indicate the path to our disk and click Load.

This is how we encrypted the external media. Using this utility, you can password protect anything you want, even individually: sound, video, text files, etc.

If the Cryptainer program is not available, to view the data you will need the DecypherIT utility and your previously entered secret code.

Like previous utilities, we also install this one on our computer and run it. In the window that opens, select what we want to hide from unnecessary people and launch the “Protection Wizard”, checking “Master” and “Protection”. Then we indicate the type of hard drive to be protected and continue by clicking “Next”.

The following actions must be performed in accordance with the requests that appear in the new windows. Then, in a special form, you need to indicate the invented complex code and confirm it by typing it again in another line.

The program also allows you to set a hidden protection mode. To do this, after entering the password, check the box this mode and click Next. The last step and everything is protected from outsiders.

If these programs seem too abstruse for you and you are already tired of searching, downloading and installing many encryption utilities, I offer an alternative to your suffering - a hdd with built-in encryption. He does everything himself: encrypts and decrypts data. And you don't need to install anything additional. However, there are also disadvantages. If the controller or other electronics fails, there will be no chance to transfer data from the device to another medium.

Set a password on your external hard drive- this is the right thing. All information must be private and no one should use it. So you are on the right track. Choose the program you like and protect your data. Just don’t forget to write down the password you created somewhere. Memory can sometimes fail and everything will turn out to be inaccessible even to you.

USB Disk Security- This free application to ensure complete protection against all kinds of malware distributed through removable USB media. The application works with external hard drives, memory cards, digital cameras, flash drives, as well as with other devices that can be connected via a USB connector. Disk Security is based on special threat detection technology; Like an antivirus program, the utility is able to work in hidden mode, only making its existence known only if malware is detected.

Basically, a personal computer is infected with viruses at the time of use. global network Internet, a little less often this happens during the installation of a dubious or unverified program. An infected file can also enter a PC through the most ordinary flash drive.

When an infected flash drive is connected to a personal computer, malicious software penetrates the hard drive, and most importantly, this happens so quickly that the installed antivirus programs They don’t always have time to react in time. Especially for such cases, it is necessary to use programs that can easily cope with this type of threat. Today Disk Security is one of the best programs to protect against infected files distributed via USB drives.

When viruses are detected, the application, depending on the settings, will delete or block them, thereby preventing them from launching automatically. In addition, the utility is able to restore the system after it has been infected with malware, clear the hard drive of temporary files, prohibit copying files from the computer’s hard drive, check URLs, completely block USB ports, manage startup, force scan hard drives.

The program is equipped with a convenient and simple user interface in Russian. The control panel is located on the left side of the working window, consisting of seven main points. The following sections deserve special attention: data protection, scanning and USB shield.

The last section is responsible for displaying a full report on all detected threats. You also need to take into account that by default the utility automatically removes any malicious application. So in order to avoid deleting important documents, it is better to disable this option, for example, after deleting boot file your USB drive will not be able to start. After disabling, Disk Security will act as follows - it will automatically move the infected file to quarantine or simply mark it.

In addition to tools for automatically checking flash media, the “Scanning” section is equipped with a vaccination function. Vaccination can be carried out both on removable media and on the actual personal computer. In this case, a special file, which prevents some malicious applications from running. If desired, vaccination can be turned off.

The “Data Protection” section is able to provide devices with higher protection; for example, you can set a ban on moving data from the computer to a memory card or even block access to the PC through USB port. To close access, you will need to restart the computer, only after this the settings will take effect.

Key features of USB Disk Security:

• Perform a more thorough scan of external drives. If malware is detected, it is either deleted or quarantined.
• Availability of resident antivirus scanner, which is triggered when a new USB drive is connected. Without making changes to the settings, infected files will be automatically deleted.
• If necessary, you can perform complete shutdown automatic start on PC.
• When using the utility, you can view the content without the risk of infecting your personal computer.
• Sites are scanned for infected applications. The following services are used during the scan: Trend Micro, McAfee, VirusTotal, Symantec and Google.
• Search service linkzb.com provides the opportunity safe use Internet.
• The application is able to prevent unauthorized USB connection media to PC.
• Blocking the copying of unauthorized data to USB is done by using the Access Control tool.
• Using a system for cleaning temporary files, if the virus is located in temporary directories, it will be deleted immediately.
• You can set a password in the program settings.
• Full control over applications included in startup.
• Availability of a built-in system for restoring important directories in the registry that were affected by malware.
• You can download Disk Security completely free of charge.
• Works on Windows XP, 7 and 8.
• Automatically checks for updates.
• The application does not need to update the virus database, since it does not work like a standard anti-virus program.
• Due to its small size, the utility can be installed even on a weak personal computer.
• Seems to be fully compatible with many modern antivirus programs.
• Using a multilingual interface, a total of 12 languages ​​are available.

USB Disk Security is a simple and effective program to use to provide complete protection against malware distributed through removable media.

How to password protect your external hard drive

What should you do to protect external media with a password yourself?
Protecting data on such devices is possible through the use of special utilities. After searching the Internet, I found that the most effective and easiest were TrueCrypt, Folder Guard, Disk Password Protection and Cryptainer + DecypherIT. Finding and downloading them is not difficult. My task is to explain to you *how to protect an external hard drive with a password* after installing these utilities.
It is better that the external hard drive is empty before the process. This way it’s faster to work with it and there will be no fear of data loss in case of your wrong actions. If you need to password protect a device with data, I advise you to copy it to your computer.

Now let's look at the use of each of the utilities in more detail.
TrueCrypt

What we do:
1) launch TrueCrypt;
2) click “Create volume”;
3) select “Encrypt non-system partition”, click next;
4) select " Regular volume", then further;
5) click the “Device...” button, find and click our device and click ok;
6) then the Volume creation mode window will open. Select the first item if you have cleared or copied your information to another medium. If you haven’t taken care of this, select the second item and wait a longer time than in the first case;
7) in the encryption settings window, leave everything as it is and click next;
8) now we indicate a code of 20 characters and symbols;
9) the Format Volume window appears. To File. syst. select NTFS, leave the rest unchanged and click Partition;
10) encryption has started. The completion time depends on the size of the drive and the data available on it. So a blank external drive of 1 TB is processed for more than an hour;
11) When finished, click ok and exit. We are thrown into the main menu, where we need to assign a free letter to the volume and then select our drive;
12) ok/mount/code/ok.

That's all - the device was protected with a password.

Folder Guard

After launching it, a window appears in which the connected devices are visible. Click on your connected media with the left mouse button and proceed to install the encryption. It's quite simple. Left-click “Lock with password” and enter the invented numbers and symbols in the top line. And at the bottom we repeat them. Then confirm by clicking OK in subsequent windows. At the end you will be asked to save your settings. You save them and close everything.

Next, when you try to open the hard drive, you will be prompted to enter a code. And when you close it, a window will pop up asking whether to leave it classified. If you leave it, then you will enter the code every time you open it. If not, then the hard drive will again be in the public domain and in order to password protect it you will have to go through the procedure again.

Cryptainer + DecypherIT

As usual, launch the installed Cryptainer. We see pop-up tips in windows asking you to enter encryption parameters. We do everything they ask. We indicate the location of the encrypted device, its size and password. Next, we get acquainted with the program’s useful features, which appear in new windows and tell you *how to password protect an external hdd* yourself. Then we indicate the path to our disk and click Load.

This is how we encrypted the external media. Using this utility, you can password protect anything you want, even individually: sound, video, text files, etc.

If the Cryptainer program is not available, to view the data you will need the DecypherIT utility and your previously entered secret code.

Disk Password Protection.

Like previous utilities, we also install this one on our computer and run it. In the window that opens, select what we want to hide from unnecessary people and launch the “Protection Wizard”, checking “Master” and “Protection”. Then we indicate the type of hard drive to be protected and continue by clicking “Next”.

The following actions must be performed in accordance with the requests that appear in the new windows. Then, in a special form, you need to indicate the invented complex code and confirm it by typing it again in another line.

The program also allows you to set a hidden protection mode. To do this, after entering the password, check the box for this mode and click “Next”. The last step and everything is protected from outsiders.

Personal opinion

If these programs seem too abstruse for you and you are already tired of searching, downloading and installing many encryption utilities, I offer an alternative to your suffering - a hdd with built-in encryption. He does everything himself: encrypts and decrypts data. And you don't need to install anything additional. However, there are also disadvantages. If the controller or other electronics fails, there will be no chance to transfer data from the device to another medium.

Set a password on your external hard drive- this is the right thing. All information must be private and no one should use it. So you are on the right track. Choose the program you like and protect your data. Just don’t forget to write down the password you created somewhere. Memory can sometimes fail and everything will turn out to be inaccessible even to you.

Get into operating system not via the Internet or email, but using a regular flash drive. Moreover, most often the owner of this removable media does not even know that his flash drive is infected with one or more viruses. But how to protect your devices from viruses? Is there an optimal antivirus for a flash drive or another reliable way protection of removable media? You will find answers to these questions in the continuation of this article.

First, let's define what exactly we are going to protect. After all, you can find a good antivirus for a flash drive that can prevent infection of your removable drive, but which cannot cope with more powerful threats that attack a computer or laptop. Therefore, you need to understand that your home PC should in any case be equipped with a good firewall and high-quality anti-virus software, which can provide reliable protection against any spyware and virus programs. Anti-virus should be written to a flash drive only if you use it quite often in public places (in libraries, universities, various computers may not be properly protected) and you are afraid that you might “infect” your portable device.

One of the best tools for protecting removable media is a free utility called Antirun. This program will not only help protect your computer from penetration of various harmful viruses, but will also protect your flash drive from getting various “network garbage” onto it.

Another popular program among advanced users for protecting removable drives is the USB Disk Security utility (at the time of writing this article, it latest version- 5.0.0.76). This software, occupying only one megabyte, is a compact analogue of a real full-fledged antivirus that can scan removable media and delete infected files from it.

Another option for protecting any removable media connected to a computer via a USB port (this can be not only a flash drive, but also a memory card from a digital camera or mobile phone, MP3 player and other equipment) - prohibit the ability to write any data to this medium without user confirmation for this action. This option will allow you to fully control what, where and when was recorded on your storage device in order to avoid recording it on it and then you will not need any antivirus for flash drives.

In order to protect your computer from a possible threat from removable media, experienced users recommend updating anti-virus databases as often as possible and from time to time completely scanning everything hard disks and removable media that you use regularly. An antivirus for a flash drive should only be installed if a computer or laptop is left for some time without a reliable antivirus protection. If this computer has access to the Internet, then it can be scanned for third-party and potentially dangerous programs even online - many leading antivirus manufacturers offer this service completely free of charge these days.

We should not forget that if you handle your computer and removable media carelessly and negligently, no antivirus for a flash drive or PC will help against malicious software. If you regularly check the operating system and its resources using specialized programs, the likelihood of your computer becoming infected is practically reduced to zero. The main thing is not to forget to comply with the simplest requirements for protecting your PC and you will not have to contact repair shops after any breakdowns associated with viruses and other malicious programs.

The “Flash drive” section contains programs that help protect against viruses that spread through external drives– disks, flash drives, portable hdds and other mobile devices.

USB Flash Drives Control – security when connecting...

A program that runs in the system tray, next to the system clock, and provides various operating modes for connected storage devices (flash drives). These options are available via context menu right click on the taskbar.

Ratool – blocks access to the computer from a flash drive

A simple utility that allows you to block everything usb ports when connecting flash drives. The lock created by the program cannot be “broken” by making changes in the registry or using third-party software, plus the program has password access that will completely eliminate third party access via USB.

Phrozen Safe USB - an excellent protector for a flash drive

By activating the USB Mode Read option, the user will make the flash drive readable. In other words, the contents of the drive can be studied, but information cannot be written to it. Activating USB Mode Disabled will hide the portable drive in File Explorer. The program also allows you to prohibit auto playback of the contents of the flash drive.

Lim Flash Security – recovers hidden files on your...

The program is capable of restoring the functionality of all USB drives infected with a virus that creates malicious shortcuts in place of programs and makes the files themselves hidden. Free software that allows you to return hidden files on USB drives and clean them from viruses.

Panda USB Vaccine – antivirus for flash drive

Using the program, you receive a double level of proactive protection against infection through usb flash drives. Panda USB Vaccine disables autorun both on the computer and on USB drives and others external devices(external hdds, players and phones).

USB Ports Disabler – disable/enable usb ports on the...

The program prevents Windows from detecting and identifying USB devices. Allows you to quickly disable and enable USB ports without interfering with your work USB keyboards and mice. By disabling USB ports, you will at least be protected from infecting your computer with viruses from portable devices, and will also prevent the theft of personal information.

USB Hidden Recover – to recover hidden files...

If your files are lost due to viruses, you can try to restore them using free utility USB Hidden Recovery. It will help after viruses that hide data on flash drives, try to change the attributes of files and folders so that in a standard way It's not always possible to unlock them.

USB Disk Security – the enemy will not pass!

Protecting your computer from possible intrusion the latest viruses, “worms” and other harmful software via USB media. The principle of operation of the program is that it automatically disables autorun of all removable media, passing them through yourself.

Antirun – protection against infection via a flash drive

A convenient anti-virus solution to protect your system from infection threats from USB drives. Features: controls the connection of USB devices, allows you to safely open or remove the device, protects the flash drive from viruses, completely disables autorun.