- Download TrueCrypt for Windows

- Download TrueCrypt for Mac OSX

- Install

TrueCrypt

and run the program.

- Plug in your USB drive so it's recognized by your computer.

- Now, in

TrueCrypt

, click the Create Volume button.

- Under the available options select the second one which encrypts a non-system partition or drive.

- Then click Next.

- Select the option to use a Standard TrueCrypt drive and click Next.

- Click on Select Device and select your USB drive from the list. Highlight it and click OK.

- Leave Never save history checked and click Next.

- Unless you're running Windows Vista you must select the option to Create encrypted volume and format. If you are running Vista you can select the option to encrypt partition in place.

- As always make sure the data on your USB drive is backed up.

- You can select the type of encryption and in our tutorial we used AES. You can run a test if you wish. Click Next.

- Enter a password you'll remember and click Next.

- The next screen shows random data for the encryption process. Move your mouse cursor around inside this box randomly to be certain you have a good, solid encryption.

- Click Next and on the next screen you can select a Wipe mode if desired. Click Next.

- Click Encrypt and the drive will begin to encrypt. Be sure to remember your password.