Truecrypt - Best Way to back up data from encrypted drive

[glennc]

Hello,
I plan on installing Truecrypt and encrypting a second drive, to which I will put all my accounts data. I did this a while back and couldn't figure out a way to backup the faux drive with my Paragon Software. It would not recognize the virtual drive, nor the encrypted drive. I would copy the virtual drive to a folder on my boot drive and then just back that up.
Is there an easier way. Between the time to copy the files, do the backup and then delete the files securely off the boot drive, it is exceptionally cumbersome. Not to mention the drive wear.
Thanks for any advice!
Glenn

 

[Golden]

Some tips in here for you:

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/241427-truecrypt-encrypt-data-folders.html

 

[glennc]

Some tips in here for you:

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/241427-truecrypt-encrypt-data-folders.html

Hello Golden,
That is a great tutorial on Truecrypt, thanks as it provides insight! But specifically and I don't know if this is normal procedure or even sound technique, I copy my Users Account's Data to a separate disk drive. Along with Public Music, so basically all important data is on the drive. I encrypt that drive and auto mount on boot up. Give Password and I have the virtual drive and access to all the data.
My problem occurs when I try to do a System Image with Paragon Purchased. The physical drive when examined in Window Explorer and to Paragon, is a unformatted drive. Paragon will not let me copy the Virtual Drive. So the only concept I've come up with is to copy the entire Virtual Drive to the C: Drive in a folder. Long time to copy!!! Do a Paragon Backup of the C: Drive and when verified, I must delete the Folder on the C: Drive containing the Virtual Drive Data and structure. I get the feeling that I should wipe the free space of the C: Drive, another quite long process.
Then if I need to do a Restore system Image I can just copy that File Back to the second drive and redo Truecrypt on it.
Thank you for your time and any ideas you may have!
Glenn

 

[Golden]

I don't know if this is normal procedure or even sound technique, I copy my Users Account's Data to a separate disk drive. Along with Public Music, so basically all important data is on the drive. I encrypt that drive and auto mount on boot up. Give Password and I have the virtual drive and access to all the data.

I think thats all you need to be honest, and I do it in a similar way : just copy/backup/sync the encrypted container to an external USB drive.

 

[glennc]

I don't know if this is normal procedure or even sound technique, I copy my Users Account's Data to a separate disk drive. Along with Public Music, so basically all important data is on the drive. I encrypt that drive and auto mount on boot up. Give Password and I have the virtual drive and access to all the data.

I think thats all you need to be honest, and I do it in a similar way : just copy/backup/sync the encrypted container to an external USB drive.

I guess and I hope not to offend, but Good Day Mate! Appreciate your help. As you know I am currently involved with another issue, but will be getting back to using Truecrypt again. Your method seems to accomplish what I want to, but I don't understand anything about encrypted containers and copy/backup/sync. All I know is that my previous method was exceptionally cumbersome. Your way sound quicker.
Also my next thought was to encrypt my external backup 1TB drive. But a bit timid of all this encryption technology. I will look at that tutorial again.
Cheers,
Glenn

 

[Golden]

No problem. If you read through the tutorial, it explains the "container" concept.

Whilst you get comfortable with TrueCrypt, keep decrypted (non-encrypted) copies of your critical information....just in case.

 

[glennc]

No problem. If you read through the tutorial, it explains the "container" concept.

Whilst you get comfortable with TrueCrypt, keep decrypted (non-encrypted) copies of your critical information....just in case.

Thanks for that advice Golden. So if I read this correctly, I can backup the encrypted capsule but not the unencrypted original data. So I would go back to having to decrypt or copy the shadow folder/capsule to a different folder and then copy it. To have the updated originals.
Am I understanding this?
Glenn

 

[Golden]

Almost. It follows like this:

1. Using Truecrypt, create a container (folder)
2. Mount this container as a drive
3. Using Windows Explorer, copy important files/data into this container

- whilst it is mounted, you work with this container just like any other folder/drive

4. When you dismount the drive (container), it is encrypted and cannot be accessed without Truecrypt.
5. The container now appears like any other file in Windows Explorer --- except you cannot access it.
6. Simply copy/backup this file to external USB drive --- these is no need to also encrypt the USB drive since the container/file is already encrypted.

There is a worked example in the tutorial using some of my actual data. Once you have a read of that, it will make perfect sense to you.

Whilst you are getting comfortable with TrueCrypt, DO keep decrypted copies of your data as a safeguard. Once you are comfortable with Truecrypt, you only need to backup the encrypted container as described in step 6 above.

 

[glennc]

Almost. It follows like this:

1. Using Truecrypt, create a container (folder)
2. Mount this container as a drive
3. Using Windows Explorer, copy important files/data into this container

- whilst it is mounted, you work with this container just like any other folder/drive

4. When you dismount the drive (container), it is encrypted and cannot be accessed without Truecrypt.
5. The container now appears like any other file in Windows Explorer --- except you cannot access it.
6. Simply copy/backup this file to external USB drive --- these is no need to also encrypt the USB drive since the container/file is already encrypted.

There is a worked example in the tutorial using some of my actual data. Once you have a read of that, it will make perfect sense to you.

Whilst you are getting comfortable with TrueCrypt, DO keep decrypted copies of your data as a safeguard. Once you are comfortable with Truecrypt, you only need to backup the encrypted container as described in step 6 above.

Ah.... I wasn't sure that you trusted Truecrypt completely!! So when I will do a System Image and copy the encrypted drive, it will take the encrypted drive. This is a bit confusing for me. Much appreciated!
Glenn

 

[Golden]

Yes, if you take a system image, the encrypted container will be imaged as it appears when it is unmounted.

 

[glennc]

Yes, if you take a system image, the encrypted container will be imaged as it appears when it is unmounted.

Got it, thanks for your patience and time!
Glenn