HOW TO: Add Multiple Users to PGP Whole Disk Encrypted Disk

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• Symantec Products

Issue/Introduction

 

Resolution

This article decibes how to add multiple users to access a PGP Whole Disk Encrypted disk.


Having multiple users who can access a disk or partition protected by PGP Whole Disk Encryption serves as a backup in case one person forgets their passphrase or loses their authentication token. Users configured for an encrypted disk or partition can authenticate to the PGP Whole Disk Encryption log-in screen to unlock any protected disk or partition on that system.

In a PGP Desktop standalone environment, an administrator can add an account to the User Access List to ensure the computer has access if a user forgets their passphrase.

To add additional users to a disk or partition protected by PGP Whole Disk Encryption  

1. Click the PGP Disk Control box on the left pane of the PGP Desktop main screen.
2. Select the encrypted disk or partition to which you want to add another user in the list of disks at the top of the PGP Disk Work area.
3. Click New Passphrase User. The Select User Type dialog box is displayed.
4. Select Use Windows Password or Create New Passphrase.
5. Click Next.

Passphrase User  

• On the Create Username and Passphrase screen, type a username.
• Type a passphrase and press Tab, then re-enter the passphrase.
• Click Next then click Finish.
• Enter the passphrase to unlock the disk.

Use Windows Password  

• On the Windows Account Logon screen, type a username and password for the desired account.
• Click Next then click Finish.
• Enter the passphrase to unlock the disk.

 

Note: As an added level of security, the characters you type for the passphrase are not visible on the screen. However, if you are sure that no one is watching and you would like to see the characters of your passphrase as you type, select the Show Keystrokes checkbox.