Last time I showed you how to set up an encrypted volume on your computer using VeraCrypt Today we’re going to go even further and show you how to insert a hidden encrypted area inside a regular encrypted volume. Stunning, right?
But why do I want a hidden partition?
Besides the fun aspect (who doesn’t like secret passages?), There is something else called “plausible denial.” It goes something like this.
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Let’s say you have a very suspicious parent or spouse who knows that you have an encrypted folder. They are convinced that you have something really awful, you deny it, and they force you to open the folder to prove it.
In a normal folder, when decrypting it, its contents are immediately opened. But what if you had a hidden section that only you knew about? Then you can open the folder to show the person some harmless and boring files, but the really important things will be in a hidden section – and no one gets wiser.
Create a Secret Passage similar to Narnia Corridor
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So let’s run VeraCrypt again and see how to do it.
First, click Create Volume .
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Click on the first option – “ Create Encrypted Container File ” and then “ Next “.
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Last time we made the first option. Today we are going to hit door number two – “ VeraCrypt Hidden Volume “. The description gives you what I call the “mafia torture / extortion insurance policy.”
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The next section presents two options.
- To create a new VeraCrypt volume with its own hidden partition.
- To add a hidden section to an existing volume.
I am assuming this is your first time doing this, so I will choose “ normal ” to keep things simple.
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The first step is to create an “external” VeraCrypt volume (a regular volume that will contain all innocent files). So, click “Select File” and navigate to where you want to put this folder. Plus give it a name.
You can change the location and name later if necessary.
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Now set the “Encryption Options” for the outer volume. Unless you have a specific reason, the default options are fine.
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Now set the size of the outer volume. Remember that the size of your hidden partition must be within it, so the outer volume needs space for innocent files AND hidden space for sensitive files.
Since this space cannot be changed after the volume is created, you need to seriously consider how much space you need. Better to be careful and go a little higher.
Since this is a temporary volume for this article that will be deleted later, I used 1 GB.
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Now the password. Forget the keyfiles and the PIM option. After you have entered your password, click on Show Password to make sure you entered it correctly.
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Next, you need to generate encryption keys. Move the mouse pointer around the screen at random and watch the bar at the bottom change color from red to green.
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When the bar turns green, click Format.
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Now you will be prompted to open the outer volume and copy the innocent files inside. The hidden section has not yet been created. It will come next.
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I went into the outer volume and copied several technical articles in PDF format into it.
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Now go back to the previous VeraCrypt window and click Next to start creating the hidden volume.
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As before, select the encryption options for the hidden volume. Again, if you really don’t need to, leave it as it is.
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Based on the size of the outer volume, VeraCrypt has calculated that the maximum size of the hidden volume cannot be larger than just under 882MB. Therefore, decide on the size and enter it in the designated place.
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The next two screens will ask you to set a password and generate encryption keys, just as you did with the outer volume.
As for the password for the hidden volume, it must be a completely different password than for the outer volume. You will see why later, but if you choose the same password, the hidden volume will not work.
When all this is done, you will see this.
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Now exit the installation wizard. Your encrypted volume with a hidden door is ready to go.
Open it
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In the main VeraCrypt window:
- Select the drive letter on which you want to mount the volume.
- Click Select File to navigate and select this volume.
- Click Mount File to open the password window.
Why do you need two passwords
Okay, let’s say the mafia grabbed you, and you are forced to give up the password for the encrypted VeraCrypt folder. The really incriminating materials are in your hidden volume, and the materials praising Don are in the regular folder.
What do you do? You give them a password for a regular folder. VeraCrypt sees that you want regular files, and that’s all everyone sees.
But if you are safe and want to view compromising material (such as your Bonnie Tyler Fan Club ID), enter the password for the hidden volume . VeraCrypt ignores the regular folder and mounts only the hidden volume instead.
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In part three of this article series, we will use VeraCrypt to encrypt your entire hard drive. Hopefully I can handle this without getting the blue screen of death.
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