12 Apps to Protect External Hard Disk Drives With Password

Nowadays, we like to store our data on our computers and portable hard drives. Under certain circumstances, we have confidential or private data that we will not like to share with other people. However, since your hard disk drive has no encryption, anyone can access your data. They can cause damage to your info or steal it. In both cases, you can suffer some heavy losses. So, today we will discuss methods that will help you protect external hard disk drives with a password. 

Contents

• 12 Apps to Protect External Hard Disk Drives With Password
• 1. BitLocker
• 2. StorageCrypt
• 3. KakaSoft USB Security
• 4. VeraCrypt
• 5. DiskCryptor
• 6. Cryptainer LE
• 7. SafeHouse Explorer
• 8. File Secure
• 9. AxCrypt
• 10. SecurStick
• 11. Symantec Drive Encryption
• 12. BoxCryptor

12 Apps to Protect External Hard Disk Drives With Password

There are two ways to protect external hard disks with a password. The first one allows you to lock your hard disk without using any third-party app, just running some commands from within your system. The other one is to install a third-party application and use it to password protect external hard drives.

1. BitLocker

Windows 10 comes with an in-built disk encryption tool, BitLocker. One point you need to note is this service is only available on Pro and Enterprise versions. So if you are using Windows 10 Home, you will have to go for the second option.

1: Plugin the external drive.

2: Go to Control Panel>BitLocker Drive Encryption and turn it on for the drive you want to encrypt i.e., external drive in this case, or if you want an internal drive, you can do it for them too. 

3: Select Use a Password to Unlock the Drive. Enter the password. Then click on Next.

4: Now, choose where to save your backup recovery key if you forget the password. You have options to save it to your Microsoft account, USB flash drive, some file on your computer, or you want to print the recovery key.

5: Select Start Encryption and wait until the encryption process completes.

Now, the encryption process is complete, and your hard drive is password protected. Every time you will again want to access the drive, it will ask for a password.

If the method mentioned above did not suit you or it is not available on your device, then you can use a third-party app for this purpose. There are many third-party apps available in the market from which you can choose your own choices.

2. StorageCrypt

Step 1: Download StorageCrypt from its official website and install it on your computer. Connect your external drive.

Step 2: Run the app and choose your device you want to encrypt.

Step 3: Under Encryption Mode, you have two options. Quick and Deep Encryption. The quick one is faster, but deep is more secure. Choose the one you like.

Step 4: Under Portable Use, select the FULL option.

Step 5: Enter the password and then click on the Encrypt button. A buzzer sound will confirm the encryption.

Make sure not to forget your password because if you forget it, there is no way to recover. StorageCrypt has a 7-day trial period. If you want to continue, you have to purchase its license.

3. KakaSoft USB Security

Kakasoft USB Security works only differently than StorageCrypt. Instead of installing on the PC, it directly installs on the USB Flash Drive to protect external hard disk with password.

Step 1: Download Kakasoft USB Security from its official site and run it.

Step 2: Plugin your external drive to your PC.

Step 3: Select the drive you want to encrypt from the list provided and click on Install.

Step 4: Now, set the password for your drive and click on Protect.

Congratulations, you have secured your drive with a password.

Download kakasoft usb security

4. VeraCrypt

VeraCrypt, advanced software to protect external hard disk drive with a password. Besides password protection, it also improves security for algorithms responsible for system and partition encryptions, making them secure from severe assaults like brute force attacks. Not limited to just external drive encryptions, it can also encrypt windows drive partitions.

Download VeraCrypt

5. DiskCryptor

The only problem with DiskCryptor is that it is open encryption software. This makes it unfit to use for securing confidential information. Else, it is also a suitable option for considering to protect external hard disk drives with a password. It can encrypt all disk partitions, including system ones.

Download DiskCryptor

Also read: 100 Most Common Passwords Of 2020. Can You Spot Your Password?

6. Cryptainer LE

Cryptainer LE is trustworthy and free software to protect external hard disk drives with password. Not limited to just external hard disks, it can help you encrypt confidential data in any device or drive. You can also use it to protect any files or folders containing media on any drive.

Download Cryptainer LE

7. SafeHouse Explorer

If there is anything you think you need to protect with a password even other than just hard drives, SafeHouse Explorer is the one for you. It can secure files on any drive, including USB flash drives and memory sticks. Other than these, it can encrypt networks and servers, CDs and DVDs, and even your iPods. Can you believe it! It uses a 256-bit advanced encryption system to secure your confidential files.

8. File Secure

Another free software which can efficiently secure your external drives is File Secure. It uses a military-grade AES encryption system to protect your drives. You can use this to encrypt confidential files with a strong password, blocking an unauthorized user’s attempt to access the secured files and folders.

9. AxCrypt

Another trustworthy open-source encryption software to protect external hard disk drive with a password is AxCrypt. It is one of the best encryption tools you can use to protect your external drives like USB on Windows. It has the easiest interface for encrypting individual files on Windows OS.

Download AxCrypt

10. SecurStick

SecurStick is what you can want from a portable encryption software. It might be best to protect your external drives like USB on Windows 10. It comes with a 256-bit AES encryption to protect files and folders. Other than Windows 10, it is also available for Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Windows 7.

11. Symantec Drive Encryption

You will love to use Symantec Drive Encryption software. Why? It comes from the house of a leading security software manufacturing firm, Symantec. This one uses a very strong and advanced encryption tech for securing your USB and external hard drives. At least give it a try, if your current external drive password encryption is disappointing you.

Download symantec endpoint encryption

12. BoxCryptor

The last but not the least on your list is BoxCryptor. This one comes with both the free and premium versions. It is one of the most advanced file encryption software in current times. The best thing about it is that it comes with advanced AES-256 and RSA encryption to secure your USB drives and external hard disk drives.

Download BoxCrypter

Recommended: 25 Best Encryption Software For Windows

These are our picks, which you must consider while looking for an app to protect external hard disks drives with a password. These are the best you can find in the market, and most of the others are like them, they just have different names. So, if there is something in your external hard drive that must remain secret, you must encrypt the drive to escape any loss that it may cause you.