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).