EasyLock Removable Media Encryption Frequently Asked Questions

When departments receive new MacBooks through the OU Computer Standardization Program, EasyLock Removable Media Encryption will be installed automatically. The below instructions will answer frequently asked questions on how to use this software.  

What Happens When I Plug in an External Hard Drive?

1. If the drive is encrypted via EasyLock, you will be prompted for the password to be given readwrite access.
2. If the drive is not encrypted via EasyLock, you will be prompted to encrypt the drive or make it read only.  
3. If you choose to encrypt the drive, the EasyLock utility will be deployed to the drive. The app should open automatically after deployed, but if it does not, browse to the drive and open the EasyLock utility. Use the app to transfer or edit files on encrypted drives.

What if I Don't Want to Encrypt My Removable Media?

1. Insert the removable media drive.
2. When prompted to encrypt the device, click Continue as Read Only. This will give you read access to the drive by using the EasyLock utility. You must copy files from the EasyLock app to a local storage drive if you want to edit files on the drive.

How Do I Access Encrypted Data?

1. Simply plug in your removable media drive.  If EasyLock has not been deployed yet, click Deploy when prompted.
2. Open your removable media drive in Finder and launch the EasyLock application.
3. The EasyLock application provides drag and drop functionality to make working with files and folders as simple as possible.

How Do I Share Public Information Using a USB Drive?

1. Use services like OneDrive or SharePoint to share public information instead. Users outside OU will receive an email inviting them to collaborate. For Microsoft products like OneDrive and SharePoint, one can access their information from anywhere by visiting https://portal.office.com.
2. Purchase a new USB drive and assign a new password to encrypt the device. Explain to the user the process of opening the EasyLock utility on the device and using the password to decrypt the drive and access the data.

Why is EasyLock Blocking my USB devices?

• EasyLock provides the university with a granular level of control that our previous tools did not.  Each time a new USB device is detected, EasyLock uses the information provided to it to determine whether or not encryption is required.
• There is a very wide range of USB devices and device manufacturers.  Based on how the devices portray themselves, it's possible for EasyLock to misinterpret their use.
•  If you suspect EasyLock is blocking a USB device that it shouldn't, no problem!  We just need the right information from you to clear things up. 
• For help with this process, please visit: https://itsupport.ou.edu/TDClient/30/Unified/KB/ArticleDet?ID=3172