How to Use GiliSoft Secure Disc Creator to Protect Your Data

How to Use GiliSoft Secure Disc Creator to Protect Your DataGiliSoft Secure Disc Creator is a desktop utility designed to help you create encrypted virtual discs and secure your sensitive files. It works by creating password-protected, encrypted containers that behave like removable drives: you mount them with a password, access the files inside, then unmount them to keep the content safe. This guide walks through features, setup, step-by-step usage, best practices, and troubleshooting to help you protect your data effectively.

What GiliSoft Secure Disc Creator Does

• Creates encrypted virtual discs (containers) that act like external drives when mounted.
• Uses password-based encryption to prevent unauthorized access.
• Lets you choose container size and encryption algorithm (where supported).
• Supports mounting/unmounting, adding/removing files, and secure deletion.
• Can be used for backups, transferring sensitive data, or securing files on shared machines.

System Requirements and Installation

Minimum requirements typically include:

• Windows 7 or later (most versions support Windows 10 and 11).
• Sufficient free disk space for container files (container size ≈ space needed for stored data).
• Administrator privileges for installation and certain mount operations.

Installation steps:

1. Download the installer from GiliSoft’s official website.
2. Run the installer and follow prompts (accept EULA, choose install location).
3. If prompted, allow driver installation — virtual disk drivers may be required.
4. Launch the program after installation completes.

Choosing the Right Use Case

Consider how you’ll use encrypted discs:

• Short-term secure transfers: create a container, copy files, transfer the container file, then delete local copies.
• Local secure storage: keep containers on your device or external drive to separate sensitive data from the main filesystem.
• Backup protection: encrypt critical backups before storing them offsite or in cloud storage.

Step-by-step: Creating an Encrypted Disc

1. Open GiliSoft Secure Disc Creator.
2. Click “Create” (or “New Image” / “New Container” depending on version).
3. Set container file location and filename — store it where you want the encrypted file saved.
4. Choose container size. Make it slightly larger than the total data you plan to store to allow room for growth.
5. Select encryption algorithm and strength if options are available (AES-256 is recommended when offered).
6. Enter a strong password and confirm it. Use a passphrase of at least 12 characters combining upper/lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Consider using a password manager.
7. Optional: enable additional options such as auto-mount on startup, read-only mode, or hidden container features if offered.
8. Click “Create” or “OK” and wait for the container to be initialized.

Mounting and Using the Encrypted Disc

1. In the program, select the container file and click “Mount” (or double-click it).
2. Enter the password when prompted.
3. The container will appear as a new virtual drive in File Explorer (with a drive letter).
4. Copy, move, or edit files inside the mounted drive like any other drive. Files are encrypted on the fly.
5. When finished, right-click the virtual drive in the program and choose “Unmount,” or use the program’s eject option. Always unmount to ensure encryption is enforced and files aren’t left exposed.

Best Practices for Security

• Use strong, unique passwords. Prefer passphrases or generated passwords stored in a reputable password manager.
• Keep containers on encrypted physical drives when possible for layered security (e.g., BitLocker on Windows).
• Regularly back up container files to secure locations (offline or encrypted cloud storage).
• Don’t store passwords in plain text near the container.
• Unmount containers when not in use and shut down the host machine if you won’t use it for a while.
• Update GiliSoft software to the latest version to get security patches and improvements.
• Verify container integrity occasionally by attempting to mount a backup copy.

Performance and Limitations

• Performance depends on disk speed and CPU (encryption/decryption uses CPU). SSDs will be noticeably faster.
• Large containers can be unwieldy; consider multiple smaller containers for different purposes.
• If the container file is deleted or corrupted and you have no backup, data recovery is difficult or impossible.
• Compatibility: containers are typically specific to Windows and to the software; other tools may not mount the container format.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

• “Cannot mount” error: verify password, ensure you have administrative rights, and check that virtual disk drivers are installed.
• Slow file operations: close unneeded apps, use an SSD, or reduce container encryption overhead by ensuring hardware supports AES extensions.
• Container file corrupted: restore from backup. Avoid editing container files with third-party tools.
• Forgotten password: without the password, recovery is generally not possible — rely on good password management.

Alternatives and Complementary Tools

• VeraCrypt — open-source, cross-platform disk encryption with hidden volumes.
• BitLocker (Windows Pro/Enterprise) — full-disk encryption integrated into Windows.
• 7-Zip — for encrypted archives (good for single-file transfers).
• Password managers — to securely store complex passwords.

Comparison (brief):

Conclusion

GiliSoft Secure Disc Creator is a practical tool for creating password-protected encrypted containers to protect sensitive files on Windows. Follow strong-password practices, keep backups, and unmount containers when not in use. For highly sensitive or cross-platform needs, consider open-source alternatives like VeraCrypt.