Let’s look at a simple example of how to use CryptDisk. I have 30 MB of files that I want to keep encrypted except when I’m using those files. Run CryptDisk and select “New” from the menu. Enter a passphrase. The limit on passphrase length is 128 characters, and there is a minimum of 8 characters. Use the longest length you think you can remember. Try combining several hard passwords. Your password is the key to your encryption. Do not use any words that you might find in a dictionary or anything remotely similar to such words. Use weird punctuation at weird places, and vary your capitalization. CryptDisk is very smart about enhancing your password’s security within the algorithm, but it can’t help you if you choose an easily guessed password. That is by far the weakest link in the security chain. Don’t write down your password: remember it, but if you do forget it, all is lost. There is no way to retrieve your data if you lose your password. If you do find a way, international fame awaits you.
Now press Tab or select the size field with the mouse and enter 30 in order to create a 30 MB disk. Click OK.
A new dialog will appear at this time which asks you to wave the mouse randomly all over the screen for 15 seconds. Make your motions as random and sweeping as possible. CryptDisk needs to generate very random numbers from this, and combines several other methods of generating randoms with your mouse waving to insure that.
The random generating dialog automatically disappears, and a standard dialog appears to let you select where you want to put the file. Now re-enter the passphrase you just entered in the next dialog to confirm it and click Mount. After a period of time to format the disk, it will be mounted on your desktop. You can unmount the disk by dragging it to the trash or choosing “Put Away” in the Finder.
To remount the disk, just drop the file on the CryptDisk application, or choose “Mount…” from the File menu of CryptDisk. Then re-enter your passphrase as given before and the disk will be mounted again. You can treat the disk as a normal hard disk while it is mounted.
To change your password, select “Mount…” from the File menu of CryptDisk. Enter your passphrase and then click “Change Password”. Now enter a new passphrase and then confirm it in the next dialog. Your CryptDisk will be mounted with the new password.
