USB Life Raft
Why and What to Include on a Thumb Drive for Disaster Scenarios
Disaster scenarios, whether natural or man-made, often strike with little warning. Preparing for such events goes beyond having food and water; your digital preparedness can make a significant difference in how quickly and effectively you can recover. A thumb drive, compact and portable, is an excellent tool for safeguarding critical information. Here’s why you need one and what you should include on it.
Why a Thumb Drive is Essential
- Portability: A thumb drive is small and lightweight, making it easy to carry in your pocket, bag, or emergency kit.
- Durability:: High-quality drives are resistant to shocks, temperature extremes, and water, ensuring your data stays safe.
- Offline Access:: Unlike cloud storage, a thumb drive doesn’t rely on internet connectivity, which might be unavailable during disasters.
- Quick Data Recovery:: Access to critical information can expedite recovery efforts, help identify you, and provide proof of ownership or identity when needed.
What to Include
| Catagory | Items | Reasoning2 |
|---|---|---|
| ID | Driver’s License Passport CCW Permit(s) Social Security card Birth/marriage certificates Medical records | |
| Financial | Bank account details Insurance policies (home, auto, life, health) Tax records Credit Card Numbers | |
| Contact Info | Family, friends, and emergency services contacts Local and international embassy or consulate contacts Utility providers and landlords’ information | |
| Property and Assets | Deeds, leases, and titles Photos or videos of your home and belongings for insurance claims Vehicle registration and maintenance records Warranty and service agreements | |
| Digital Credentials | Password manager backup (protected with strong encryption) Recovery keys for important accounts | |
| Survival Resources | Emergency plans, including evacuation routes Maps of your local area First-aid guides Digital copies of survival handbooks or relevant PDFs | |
| Sentimental | Photos and videos of loved ones Scanned heirlooms or keepsakes A document with family history or stories Steps to Build an Encrypted Drive Using VeraCrypt |
Hardware Recommendations
With flash storage so cheap these days there is a good selection of cheap and useable drives to choose from like these PNY 128gb 5-pack for $35, but I would prefer to recommend a drive like the SanDisk 512gb Ultra Dual because it has both USB A and USB C, and will work on phones and tablets.
There are hardware encrypted drives as well like the Kingston Keypad 200 but their costs and size may be too much of a tradeoff for the increase security for most users.
Encrypted Drive Using VeraCrypt
Protecting sensitive data on your thumb drive is essential. Here’s how you can create an encrypted drive using VeraCrypt with containers and a hidden partition:
Download and Install VeraCrypt:
- Visit the VeraCrypt website and download the appropriate version for your operating system.
- Install the software following the on-screen instructions.
Use a complex password that you will remember. If you forget your password the data is unrecoverable.
Create a Standard VeraCrypt Container:
- Open VeraCrypt and click on “Create Volume.”
- Select “Create an encrypted file container” and click “Next.”
- Choose “Standard VeraCrypt volume” and proceed.
- Specify the location and name of the container file (e.g., “secure_data.crypt”).
- Select the encryption algorithm (AES-Twofish-Serpent is a good choice) and hash algorithm.
- Set the size of your container based on your storage needs.
- Create a strong password for the container.
- Follow the instructions to format and create the container.
Create a Hidden VeraCrypt Partition:
- Return to the VeraCrypt volume creation wizard and select “Create a hidden VeraCrypt volume.”
- Choose “Normal mode” and specify the location of the standard container created earlier.
- Define the size of the hidden volume (it must be smaller than the standard container).
- Create a separate strong password for the hidden volume.
- Format the hidden partition using the wizard.
Mount the Encrypted Volumes:
- Launch VeraCrypt and select a drive letter from the list.
- Click “Select File” and choose your container file.
- Enter the password for either the standard or hidden volume, depending on which you wish to mount.
- Click “Mount” to access the encrypted volume like a regular drive.
Add Your Files:
- Copy the essential documents and resources into the encrypted volume.
- Safely dismount the volume when done to ensure your data remains secure.
Test Your Setup:
- Verify that both the standard and hidden volumes can be mounted and accessed.
- Practice dismounting the drive to ensure smooth usage during emergencies.
Tips
- Use Encryption: Protect sensitive data with encryption software like VeraCrypt to keep it secure.
- Create Redundancies: Store copies in different locations—e.g., one at home and another with a trusted friend or family member.
- Update Regularly: Periodically review and update your thumb drive to ensure all information is current.
- Choose Quality: Invest in a reliable thumb drive with sufficient storage capacity (128gb or higher). Storage is very cheap as of today.
- Label Clearly: Use a label or keychain to distinguish your disaster thumb drive from others.
- Crypto I would caution to recommend using a USB drive (even with encryption) to store your keys, instead I would recommend a hardware wallet.