Infopackets Reader Salomon A. writes:

" Dear Dennis,

With what program or how can I protect, (lock/unlock) my USB HARD drives with a password? I bought the Acronis Image and did my backup-image to a USB drive, but now my external drive is vulnerable.

There are so many programs for scrambling files and folders but what I am looking for is really a 'Master' password like Windows XP. Thank you so much for any assistance you can provide. "

My response:

I don't know of any such a product that is "sold separately", per se, that will allow you to lock your external enclosure with a password. However, I do know of a few other options. You can:

a) protect individual files (or folders) using a special program.

Password Protect Files and Folders?

b) password protect your system so that no one can gain access to the drive. In addition to using a strong password for your Windows XP user account, a password-protected screensaver would also help lock out anyone from unauthorized use while you're temporarily away.

Lock down Windows XP from unauthorized use?

c) password protect your backups using Acronis True Image (this is one of the options available during the Backup Wizard).

Acronis True Image Review

All three of these options should provide you with enough security against unauthorized use.