How to protect hard drives with a password?

[Theliel]

Hi. Please tell me how to lock hard drives with a password so that they remain locked even when they are transferred to another entirely different computer/machine+os. Thank you in advance.

 

[kapone32]

Windows has a function called bit locker (i think it depends on your version of Windows). If not there are plenty of encryption programs available to use both free and paid.

 

[newtekie1]

Another alternative is VeraCrypt if you are using one of the versions of Windows that doesn't include Bitlocker.

 

[Theliel]

Another alternative is VeraCrypt if you are using one of the versions of Windows that doesn't include Bitlocker.

I see. Someone once said that BitLocker wont work when a system is reinstalled or the hard drive is transfered and connected to another machine with another OS. Is that true?

 

[Solaris17]

I see. Someone once said that BitLocker wont work when a system is reinstalled or the hard drive is transfered and connected to another machine with another OS. Is that true?

so is your definition of lock not being able to write to the drive?

 

[kapone32]

I see. Someone once said that BitLocker wont work when a system is reinstalled or the hard drive is transfered and connected to another machine with another OS. Is that true?

That is not true bit locker only encrypts the drive. As long as you have your password it should work on any PC.

 

[Static~Charge]

Someone once said that BitLocker wont work when a system is reinstalled or the hard drive is transfered and connected to another machine with another OS. Is that true?

A BitLocker-encrypted drive is tied to the machine where it was enabled. As long as you have the recovery key, you can access the drive on a different machine. Lose the key and you're screwed.

As for "another OS": BitLocker was made for Windows, but you can access a BitLocker-encrypted drive in Linux and macOS using third-party utilities (and the recovery key).

 

[candle_86]

Here is what the op wants

Understanding ATA Security » ADMIN Magazine

Understanding ATA Security

www.admin-magazine.com

 

[newtekie1]

A BitLocker-encrypted drive is tied to the machine where it was enabled. As long as you have the recovery key, you can access the drive on a different machine. Lose the key and you're screwed.

This very much depends on how you set up bitlocker. This is true on a system drive. But on an external, all you need is the password and you can connect them to any Windows computer. When you plug the drive into any Windows computer it will ask you for the password, then let you use the drive.

 

[killster1]

Another alternative is VeraCrypt if you are using one of the versions of Windows that doesn't include Bitlocker.

yea i wonder what to use, i use veracrypt for fun, was thinking about it today if someone deletes my container file what will happen. havnt played with it alot just love to use encryption and prob should just use bitlocker ;// hmmmmmm

 

[cornemuse]

This very much depends on how you set up bitlocker. This is true on a system drive. But on an external, all you need is the password and you can connect them to any Windows computer. When you plug the drive into any Windows computer it will ask you for the password, then let you use the drive.

What if external is via ESATA? It would still internal?

 

[Theliel]

So how would someone be able to read an internal non-system HDD that was encrypted using BitLocker, if they wanted to? That's what I'm interested in but I fear many might have misunderstood me...

 

[newtekie1]

What if external is via ESATA? It would still internal?

Ok, I should rephase that. Any drive that isn't the system drive can be encrypted using a password. It can be internal or external, it doesn't matter.

So how would someone be able to read an internal non-system HDD that was encrypted using BitLocker, if they wanted to? That's what I'm interested in but I fear many might have misunderstood me...

They would just need your password that you set when you set up Bitlocker on the drive.

 

[R-T-B]

Here is what the op wants

Understanding ATA Security » ADMIN Magazine

Understanding ATA Security

www.admin-magazine.com

Be aware that most ATA security solytions are fairly trivial to bypass, and for that reason I can't advise using them.

If you really must use something hardware securitywise... look into a drive that supports the OPAL standard.

I actually have a like, metric button of said drives if op needs one. Had to for an old job. But I do not advise them.

Seriously, just use Veracrypt.

So how would someone be able to read an internal non-system HDD that was encrypted using BitLocker, if they wanted to? That's what I'm interested in but I fear many might have misunderstood me...

No. Not without the recovery key or passphrase, (depending on config.)

 

[dorsetknob]

What if external is via ESATA? It would still internal?

ESATA is just a basic Sata extension cable From motherboard to the propitiatory ESATA Port on Case or motherboard
You then connect your ESATA device via the ESATA External cable (DATA only)

 

[cornemuse]

I was certain esata = sata. All my comps have all hdds/ssds in removable trays. Could I take os drive (C:\) out & encrypt it and be able to decrypt it and then set it to remain decrypted and use it as os drive? A setting in veracrypt/any other encryption scheme perhaps? Does this make sense?

-c-

 

[R-T-B]

I was certain esata = sata. All my comps have all hdds/ssds in removable trays. Could I take os drive (C:\) out & encrypt it and be able to decrypt it and then set it to remain decrypted and use it as os drive? A setting in veracrypt/any other encryption scheme perhaps? Does this make sense?

-c-

If you encrypt and decrypt the end result will be a decrypted drive. Yes it will boot but anyone will be able to read it then.

You'd want to encrypt the os in veracrypt following the directions and enter your passphrase every boot to use the drive in the encrypted state, really.