TrueCrypt is software system for establishing ANd maintaining an on-the-fly-encrypted volume (data storage device). On-the-fly cryptography implies that information is mechanically encrypted right before it is saved and decrypted right once it is loaded, without any user intervention. No information stored on AN encrypted volume is read (decrypted) while not mistreatment the right password/keyfile(s) or correct cryptography keys. Entire file system is encrypted (e.g., file names, folder names, contents of each file, free space, meta data, etc).
Files is derived to and from a mounted TrueCrypt volume similar to they are derived to/from any normal disk (for example, by straightforward drag-and-drop operations). Files square measure mechanically being decrypted on the fly (in memory/RAM) while they are being read or derived from AN encrypted TrueCrypt volume. Similarly, files that square measure being written or derived to the TrueCrypt volume square measure mechanically being encrypted on the fly (right before they are written to the disk) in RAM. Note that this doesn’t mean that the entire file that is to be encrypted/decrypted should be stored in RAM before it is encrypted/decrypted. There are no additional memory (RAM) requirements for TrueCrypt.
Let’s suppose that there’s AN .avi video file stored on a TrueCrypt volume (therefore, the video file is entirely encrypted). The user provides the right parole (and/or keyfile) and mounts (opens) the TrueCrypt volume. once the user double clicks the icon of the video file, the software package launches the applying related to the file kind – typically a media player. The media player then begins loading alittle initial portion of the video file from the TrueCrypt-encrypted volume to RAM (memory) so as to play it. while the portion is being loaded, TrueCrypt is mechanically decrypting it (in RAM).
Note that TrueCrypt ne’er saves any decrypted information to a disk – it only stores them quickly in RAM (memory). Even once the quantity is mounted, information stored in the volume is still encrypted. once you restart Windows or shut down your computer, the quantity are dismounted and files stored in it will be inaccessible (and encrypted). Even once power provide is suddenly interrupted (without proper system shut down), files stored in the volume square measure inaccessible (and encrypted). to create them accessible once more, you’ve got to mount the quantity (and offer the right parole and/or keyfile).
