Using TrueCrypt with TaxWise How to guarantee security without spending any of AARP’s cash.
What is TrueCrypt A data encryption program. The best free program I’ve ever found. Easy to use and very flexible. Not needed for IRS laptops.
How to find it/run it. Windows XP, Vista and 7. Download the program & install it.
The TrueCrypt “Container” Allows encryption of a whole disk, or of a part. The part of the disk is the “container”. On your drive, it appears as one big file with a.tc extension. Until the file is “mounted”, it can’t be deciphered.
Creating a Container File Start TrueCrypt and select “Create Volume”. Select “Create” and then Next. Select “Standard”. Give it a name; C:\TaxWise.tc works. Encryption; take the default. Specify a size; 2000 Mb holds everything. Give it a password; don’t forget it! Volume Format; take the default (FAT).
Create a “Traveler Drive” Allows running TrueCrypt when the TrueCrypt program isn’t installed. Will only run if user has “Admin” privileges. Puts TrueCrypt on a flash drive. Creates an Autorun file. May be done before or after the creation of the container file.
“Portable” Applications Run without installing on the computer. TaxWise isn’t one. TrueCrypt (traveler) is. Other applications include FireFox (browser), Thunderbird (mail) and more.
TaxWise on a Flash Drive Create a “Traveler Drive”. Build a “Container”. Mount the drive and copy UTS10 (or install TaxWise from a clone CD). Plug into a laptop and run: P:\UTS10\TWTech\Setup.exe (once).