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I need to create a file-based TrueCrypt volume in a 32GB USB pendrive. If I wanted to access my files in offline computers, I'd need to include the TrueCrypt executable in the pendrive as well. I'd like to create a multiplatform disk with all the files required to access my encrypted file-based drive from Windows, Linux, and MAC.
TrueCrypt already has an option for this: Options > Traveler Disk Setup (see here). It copies the executable portable app in the (unencrypted) drive, and has an option for including autorun.info files to automate mounting. In linux and MAC versions of TrueCrypt this option is not available I think, but the app can be run in "portable mode". If this worked (never tried), I'd have to include 3 executables in my USB drive: the Windows portable version, the Linux portable version and the MAC portable version.
So my questions:
- Will the portable versions work as intended? The Win TrueCrypt executable certainly does, but what about the MAC and Linux versions? Will I need additional configuration in the host OS, permissions or drivers?
- I've heard that MAC doesn't support writing to NTFS (lmao). Otherwise this is the best filesystem for the pendrive since it is supported in both Windows and Linux. I could use the old FAT32 but it has a limit of 4 GB per file. My TrueCrypt volume needs to be way larger. So to make the drive RW-able in MAC, I've thought in including the NTFS-3G files in the USB, so that I could install them in a MAC machine should the need arise. Is this a good idea? Will I need admin permissions or make extensive configuration changes? (the MAC machine will not be mine, probably a hotel's or an internet cafe one).
- If #2 is not a good idea, I could partition the drive and include a Linux bootable distro only to cover the MAC case, and use the NTFS partition normally under Win and Linux. But Windows wont then recognise the second partition in a removable drive. I've read this can be overcomed by removing a "removable media bit" and converting the USB drive in a fixed drive. Is this bit stored or flashed in the USB drive, or is it part of the Windows OS configuration? Will all the partitions be recognised without problems in Linux and MAC? And most importantly, can a MAC run a linux live distro?
- Regarding #3, I've read about a Lexar tool (BootIt) that flips the bit, will this work with a Kingston pendrive?
Thanks in advance.
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Regarding your second query, see Daniel's comment here.
– Karan – 2013-07-04T10:55:12.347@Karan Thanks for the link. I've edited the question. – Mister Smith – 2013-07-05T08:06:57.080