TruPax 9 introduces VeraCrypt support
The cross-platform Open Source encryption software TruPax was designed to create TrueCrypt containers that match the size of all files added to them. As you may know, TrueCrypt does not ship with options to add files to volumes during the creation process which always meant that you had to guess or calculate the storage requirements of containers.
The program has evolved since then and offers more than that option now. The latest version adds support for VeraCrypt containers and does away with the program's Java runtime requirement as it ships with Java included so that Java does not need to be installed on the host machine anymore for the program to work.
The program does not need to be installed and can be run from any location once its contents have been extracted to the system. Windows users need to run trupaxgui.cmd to launch the graphical user interface of the application.
The interface has changed considerable since our initial review of the program in 2010 but core mechanics have not.
You add files or folders via drag and drop, or by using the add files and add folder buttons on the right side of the interface instead.
Subfolders are added automatically as well by default which you can block by unchecking the option in the right sidebar.
Once you have added at least one file information about the collection are displayed at the bottom of the interface.
There you find listed the total size of the data, the number of files and folders added, and the size of the container volume that TruPax will create for you if you click on the "make volume" button in the interface.
The program creates TrueCrypt compatible volumes by default. You may switch to VeraCrypt containers instead by checking that option in the sidebar.
VeraCrypt, which was recently updated as well fixing two TrueCrypt vulnerabilities in the process, supports both TrueCrypt and VeraCrypt containers.
TruPax displays additional options in the sidebar that users may find useful. This includes an option to add free space to the container which may be useful if you know of future data requirements that exceed the container's current size.
You may also set the write-protected flag which prevents changes to the container's data, add a label for easier recognition, or wipe the source data locations on the drive securely after the files and folders have been moved to the encrypted volume.
Once you hit the make volume button you are prompted to pick a location and name for the new encrypted container, and a password that protects it.
Closing Words
TruPax 9 improves the encryption software without making changes to its core purpose: the quick generation of encrypted containers that match the size of the files and folders added to it. Support for VeraCrypt should give it another boost considering that TrueCrypt is not developed anymore and VeraCrypt a popular alternative for TrueCrypt.
The fact that it does not require Java to be installed on the system anymore is another positive aspect as it means that it can be run in environments where Java was not available and installations prohibited.
You give up some customization options for that, for instance options to change the encryption algorithm.
