That is why it is essential to ensure no one can access that data if it falls into the wrong hands. The easiest way to do this is by password-protecting your external SSD.
Use a Free External Drive Encryption Software
The easiest way to password protect your external solid-state drive is using BitLocker on Windows PCs or Disk Utility on a Mac.
BitLocker uses an Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) encryption algorithm in CBC mode with a 128-bit key. Mac’s version of BitLocker is FileVault which also uses AES, but unlike BitLocker, it will not encrypt external SSDs or hard drives. Still, Macs come with Disk Utility, which encrypts these external USB drives using AES block-level encryption.
Another great option to password protect an external SSD is VeraCrypt, which is among the best software to password-protect an external hard drive. It works on Linux, Mac, and Windows; it is free and open-source, meaning that you can potentially improve security if you are tech-savvy. VeraCrypt also uses AES with a 256-bit key (compared to BitLocker’s 128-bit key).
Once you select which encryption software you want to use, connect the external SSD to the computer, establish a backup recovery key, and create a strong password. To encrypt an external hard drive using Mac’s Disk Utility or VeraCrypt, you must first erase or move the contents of the drive elsewhere temporarily.
Use a Paid External Drive Encryption Software
You can always pay for third-party software if you want even better encryption for your external hard drive. The advantage of paid services over free services is that you can find specialized tools for your needs.
For example, AxCrypt works for both macOS and Windows; it has a decent AES encryption and has a business version in case your external SSD is for work.
DriveCrypt is one of the companies with the most robust encryption keys in the market (1344 bits), and apart from password-protecting your external hard drive, it also supports fingerprint scanning. Its only downside is that it is only available for Windows machines.
Gilisoft USB Encryption also has a very decent AES encryption algorithm with the added perk that, in case you forget your password, it has data recovery. This software is highly specialized, so it only encrypts USB drives and is only available for Windows.
Hide or Lock Individual Folders in Your External SSD
There are several ways to hide or lock folders within hard drives. The easiest one is to use Folder Guard, a security program to lock folders and personal files with a password. A simplified version would be to select the files or folders you want to hide, right-click on them, select Properties, go on the General tab and check the Hidden box in the attributes section. Hiding a folder won’t password-protect the SSD itself but rather the stored content.
If you are tech-savvy and use Windows 10, you can also hide files, folders, and drives by using the following:
Command line File Explorer Registry Editor Disk Management Utility Third-party software
What’s the Difference Between Password Protection and Encryption?
When securing your external SSD or hard drive, it is essential to know the difference between password protecting it and password protecting it through encryption.
Password Protection
Passwords are the first line of defense in the cyber world. In the material world, they are equivalent to locking your door or having a safe. Without a password and a front door lock, anyone could invade your privacy or online accounts. Passwords can be a bit dangerous because hackers can easily break them. That is why it is essential to have a long and complex password, so hackers can’t easily decipher them, just like a locksmith can easily open your door.
Encryption
Encryption is a step-up in security from a password. Unlike a password, encryption conceals the message in a way only authorized persons with the key can access it. Believe it or not, encryptions have been used for centuries; they were just called hidden messages that could only be read by knowing the code to interpret each symbol or word. Here is the confusing part: encryptions require a key, which can be a physical card, a password, or both.
In simple terms, it would look like this. If you have a notebook with all your banking information and put it in a safe, that is a password that can be easily accessed by a skilled locksmith (or hacker). Encryption would be the equivalent of transcribing your banking info into a language only you and the bank can understand. That way, even if the thief breaks through the safe, he won’t be able to use the information. Of note, hiding a folder is the equivalent of simply masking the banking info under the carpet. Ideally, you would encrypt your banking info, place it under a safe, and then hide it under the carpet.
Bonus Tips to Protect Your External SSD
1. Buy an Encrypted External Drive
2. Remove Access From Files
If you would like an extra layer of privacy, and if you share your computer, you could right-click on individual folders, select Give access to, then click on Remove access or Specific people. This will not involve password protection but will only give you access to the file if you share a computer.
3. Do All for Maximum Security
If you are worried about privacy, you could try a strategy similar to Full Disk Encryption on your external hard drive. This could look something like this:
Buy an encrypted SSD. Use BitLocker or Mac’s Disk Utility (or a paid encryption software) to encrypt the hard drive. Use different software to then individually encrypt each file and folder. Unplug and lock the external hard drive somewhere safe.
There Are Endless Ways to Protect Your External SSD
Many don’t realize how much damage one can do to you with essential pieces of information. So, no matter what you keep in your external solid-state drive, it is necessary to keep it protected from strangers, just like how you wouldn’t leave your phone unlocked in the street.
Now, with this information, you know many alternatives to protect your hard drive and all the valuable data stored in it.
