Secure USB Pen drive

R@LF · 08-02-2003, 03:10 PM

I managed to format my pendrive succesfully as MSDos FAT32.
I'm sure that I can create more partitions too.
Reason for this is, to create a secure partition on it.
That's where I get lost.

How can I create a secure partition on the PenDrive which will also be secure under Windows ?

I have no clue where to start looking... any suggestions ?

Rolf

nakkaya · 08-02-2003, 04:33 PM

what is a secure partion?

R@LF · 08-02-2003, 04:54 PM

By a ¨secure partition¨ , I mean a part of the disk that I can protect with a password or something, so that no-one but me can read it.

Rolf

unSpawn · 08-03-2003, 05:10 PM

How can I create a secure partition on the PenDrive which will also be secure under Windows ?
LOL, isn't that a contradiction? Seriously, the amount of disk encryption tools on the MICROS~1 Game Platform that are not commercialized/GPL'ed/freeware, AND utilize compatible media AND provide compatible clients is exactly zero, AFAIK. Using file encryption is your only real option IMO.

cyph3r7 · 08-05-2003, 06:01 AM

I have a pen drive that I use the same way and I used PgP. UnSpawn is 100% correct in that all encryption software available for M$ will cost you $. Fortunately work paid for mine.

R@LF · 08-05-2003, 01:19 PM

I think I see where this is going....
I still wonder if there is not a low level program that can do the job.
Boot loader programs are also ¨platform independent¨ isn't it.
Such a program could/should be able to handle the access or encryption Hmmm....
I think I have to have a look how boot loaders work and what the possibilities are. Maybe I could ¨hide¨ the FAT table(s), replace it with a dummy one ? ... I am just thinking out laud.
It is ridicules that the PenDrive was sold as ¨secure¨ while it actually is not at all.

I leave the question on the tabel ... maybe someone gets a brainwave and points me in the right direction.

Rolf

Half_Elf · 08-05-2003, 07:08 PM

I suggest you to format you pen as Ext2 then to use explore2fs to see your files under winbloze.
It is safe as long that No windoze users ever heard about Ext2 fs gnehehehe

green_dragon37 · 08-05-2003, 07:21 PM

You could use StegFS. It works on the ext2 filesystem, but it only currenly supports linux 2.2 kernel. 2.4 and 2.6 versions are in the works. It also cannot run on Windows. But, you could always put the 2.2 kernel on a bootable floppy (Tom's Root-Boot style) with the USB drivers(?) and the StegFS utilities, and go from there. I am unsure, though, of USB support in the 2.2 kernel. But it might make a good project for keeping small, hidden partitions on floppies, hard drives, and the like.

Quote:

StegFS is a Steganographic File System for Linux. Not only does it encrypt data, it also hides it such that it cannot be proved to exist. The data can only be read by providing a correct passphrase. It provides a set of different security levels.

http://stegfs.sourceforge.net

and

http://www.mcdonald.org.uk/StegFS/

Ian