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3 Best SSD Encryption Software [2024 Guide]

6 min. read

Updated onJanuary 8, 2024

updated onJanuary 8, 2024

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Key notes

If you work with a lot of data and sensitive information, you should avoid that these fall into the wrong hands. Consider, for example, the files and folders stored on a removable harddiskthat gets lost or stolen.

The General Data Protection Regulation requires companies to adopt a series of security measures. Those should be applied for theencryptionofdatastored on notebooks, external harddrives,and other media.

But how is it possible to protect the files and folders stored on harddisks, external HDDs, or removabledrives? How can you make sure that thedatastored on these devices can only be accessed by the legitimate owner? How to reassure users that any third party will not access thedata?

Luckily there are tools that you can use to encrypt HDDs or SSDs and keep any data safe.

?️Quick tip:

Before creating the encrypted volume in the chosen unit, it is a good idea to create a backup copy of the unit contents.

This is only as a precaution, should anything happen to your original data. For this purpose, we recommend a free software such asAOMEI Backupper Professional.

This software help with system, disk, partition, and file backup, as well as with file synchronization and mirroring. It is currently one of the best tools to obtain an exact copy of your files.

AOMEI Backupper Professional supports both incremental and differential backups, and there’s also a command-line backup feature for advanced users.

You should store the image or backup onremovable supportor on another system. In this way, you can easily restore everything in case of problems.

AOMEI Backupper Professional

What software can I use to protect my hard disk?

VeraCrypt

VeraCryptis a free opensource software considered as the direct successor of the TrueCrypt historian.

As opposed to TrueCrypt, VeraCrypt uses some improvements that allow you to trust on an even higher level of protection.

VeraCrypt allows you to create encrypted containers (volumes) within which you can save personal files and sensitivedata. You can create the encryptedvolumeson a local harddiskor on any removable harddiskor USB stick. You will only need to take care to mount the container after connecting the outdoor unit and disassembling it before removing it.

So, the application allows you to protect the contents of the harddiskand removabledrivesby fully encrypting it.

How to encrypt a harddiskwith VeraCrypt

By choosingExtractyou can still create encrypted containers and protect non-systempartitions. In this case, you can save the files necessary for the VeraCrypt operation in a folder of your choice. You will, then, use the program as “portable” software.

In case you decide to install VeraCrypt on your system, the application creates – by default – a recovery point.

2.Connectthe removable drive or the harddiskto be protected.

3.StartVeraCrypt.

4. Click on theCreate volumebutton.

5.ClickonEncrypt to non-systempartition/ drivethen follow the instructions.

Choose between creating a VeraCrypt Standard volume and a hidden VeraCrypt volume.

For example, after you have encrypted the removable drive, nothing will happen when you connect it to your computer. To access the content of the storage unit, you will need to start VeraCrypt and mount it, using the interface.

You can mount or unmount then the encrypted volumes. If you choose the first option, you can to access the respective content. Vice versa, you make it impossible to access by unauthorized persons.

You should choose an encryption algorithm for data and a keyword (passphrase) that you will take care to keep jealously. Why so? To create a container encrypted volume (Create an encrypted file containeroption) or to protect a removable drive or an external hard drive.

How do I protect the system partition with VeraCrypt?

Alternatively, you can choose to encrypt the system partition or the entire system drive option by installing VeraCrypt. It protects the contents of the hard disk where the operatingsystem is installed by encrypting all the files and folders.

This way, the content of the hard disk will not be readable by third parties that do not have a personal password.

VeraCrypt will encrypt automatically and completely all files, including temporary files, files used to manage the hibernation procedure (automatically turn on and off the computer), swap files, and so on.

Using encryption on the system partitionor disk involves activating a pre-boot authentication mechanism.

Before loading the operating system, VeraCrypt asks to specify the passphrase or the personal keyword chosen when encrypting the unit.

⇒Download VeraCrypt

Windows’ built-in BitLocker

Windows 10, as well as older OS versions such as the Ultimate and Enterprise editions of Windows Vista and Windows 7, in the Pro and Enterprise editions of Windows 8 and Windows 8.1, on Windows Server 2008, you can encrypt and protect your hard disk using a built-in tool, BitLocker.

To enable it on your system, type BitLocker in the taksbar search box, click on Manage BitLocker. Choose to turn on the option on the desired drive.

You should know that Windows Vista and Windows 7 do not allow Bitlocker to start without the Trusted Platform Module (TPM) chip.

During the configuration phase of Bitlocker, Windows will ask you if you want to unlock the system by connecting a USB stick or typing a password.

The following steps are quite clear. They allow requestingencryption of the data actually written on the disk or even the encryption of free space.

There you have, two of the best SSD encryption software solutions available on the market. Let us know which one you installed and why.

3 Best SSD Encryption Software [2024 Guide]#

AOMEI Backupper Professional#

What software can I use to protect my hard disk?#

VeraCrypt#

How to encrypt a harddiskwith VeraCrypt#

Windows’ built-in BitLocker#