Easy Truecrypt questions

"by design. the *only* way to know if a container is the real thing at all is to get the passphrase right, calculate a hash from the passphrase, then use that to trial-decrypt the container. "
> I didnt understand what you mean if the "container is the real thing" nor "calculate a hash from the passphrase" - please elaborate.


What are the different slots for (upto 64) on the truecrypt screen?  I used truecrypt a few years ago on Windows and I remember when I tried it, I could enter a USB stick and simply click on the container and then type the password.  Has it now changed such that I need to mount it each type via the truecrypt software rather than just clicking on the file?

Also when I click on the container, it starts some sort of terminal script.  How do I actually treat it like a normal window and drag and drop?

Ok, the container is just a file, and has no fingerprints. if you set it to be "win_swap.386" for example, it will not be possible to tell it is a truecrypt container either from the name, or from analysis of the file contents. In fact, the truecrypt software itself is unable to tell - given a passphrase, it will try each possible encryption method in turn until it finds one that works, and assume that you correctly typed the passphrase. if no possible method works, then either you mistyped the passphrase or it isn't a truecrypt container at all - there is no significant difference in the code.

the different slots are to mount multiple containers and/or partitions - but like MS word (for example) you can launch the container by using the program options, drag-dropping onto an active truecrypt window, or double-clicking if the container filetype is properly associated.

if clicking on the container starts a script, it is not properly associated. try right clicking and "open with" the truecrypt exe. you cannot drag-drop a file into a container file - that isn't going to work; you would be as likely to be able to put a graphic into a word doc by drag-dropping one onto the other.

Ok I'm slowly getting the hang of TC after playing around with after my last posting.  I'm not sure if I like it because of the need to mount and unmount.

Is there an alternative encryption software that simply allows me to click on a self containing or self extracting container (I cant think of the correct wording here but a bit like a self extracting zip file which doesnt require the winzip programme).  I remember a free utility that came with my 16gb USB drive but I no longer have it.  Once I clicked on the large secure file, it asked for the password, after which it then unlocked the file to show me the full contents of that file as if a folder.

that is true of most password protected archives.
if you used (for example) http://www.7-zip.org/ you could even make self-extracting self-decrypting archives to send to other users who don't have the software (bearing in mind that sending exes via email is usually a bad idea)

I'm assuming this 7zip is no different to winzip or pkzip and creating self executing files?

Sorry for the delay, will try this on the weekend.