Wherever files are stored and archived, the question arises as to how they can be protected from unauthorized access by third parties. As a relatively safe program for Encryption applies to VeraCrypt.
What is VeraCrypt?
VeraCrypt is a software for safe encode of files, archives and other data. In particular, it comes to encrypting hard drives and removable media VeraCrypt for use. The program enables both partial encryption and hiding of individual files as well as entire data carriers. It is based on the originally widely used TrueCrypt software, which was discontinued in 2014 due to some security weaknesses.
VeraCrypt continues the functionality of TrueCrypt, but has been significantly improved in the critical points.
What can VeraCrypt do?
With VeraCrypt the user decides which files, systems and partitions he wants to protect from other private individuals, companies and even from feared state-organized espionage. The program offers the option of encrypting files with a defined fixed size in so-called containers. These data archives are then called virtual drives recognized. File packages can also be hidden with the encryption at the same time, so that they are not immediately discovered when the drives are examined. Users who have already created containers with the predecessor software TrueCrypt can read them in with VeraCrypt and convert them into suitable file containers without any problems. The encryption mode is XTS. Encrypted files are provided with a secure password.
Various algorithms are available to the user for encryption:
- AES 256-bit encryption
- Serpent encryption
- Twofish
These choices reinforce the security of the program. At the same time, there is the possibility of combining these different algorithms in cascades, thereby further increasing security.
Other features that VeraCrypt What makes it the most secure encryption software are the larger iterations used to perform the encryption and the programmed delay that occurs when the encrypted files are opened, which is designed to waste valuable time for would-be hackers and make immediate access impossible.
VeraCrypt uses cryptographic functions that are generally considered secure for encryption.
VeraCrypt can work on Windows, Linux and Mac be applied.
Possible vulnerabilities of VeraCrypt
So far, no actual vulnerabilities in the program are known. Potential security gaps are therefore purely speculative. The open source code is considered a potentially possible, but in reality rather unlikely vulnerability. The assumption that the implementation of the cryptographic functions could represent a security gap has not yet been proven.
