Sophos Free Encryption

Hi folks

1st post so please be patient (cheers!)  I have just come across this product and I have a few queries.

1)  Is this suitable to protect (by encryption) data (such as medical records) contained on a USB flash drive?  ie ithout the password, the data is secure (eg confidential patient records).

2)  If the answer to the above is yes, do you have to:

a) format the drive with the sofware first and then save the data to the drive in the normal way

or

b) can the software encrypt a drive that already contains data without corrupting the data.

3)  Once the data is stored on the drive - it is stored in an encryped manner (n00b question I know but I'm just checking)?

4)  If you can encrypt data on a USB flash drive, do you have to mount the USB drive to store data and dismount the drive in order to remove the USB flash drive?  ie is the procedure for using the encrypted drive SIMPLE?

5)  Is the procedure for storing and retreiving data as simple as drag & drop and can this be done through WIndows?

6)  Is the software compatible with Windows 32-bit  / XP / Vista / Win 7  Home editions and the Pro versions of XP and Vista?

7)  What happens if the drive is removed without proper shut-down/removel procedure - is the data still encryped or will this bugger the data up?

8)  If you forget the password it would be reformat/game-over right?  The data is "lost" to all intents & purposes?

I think that's about all for now!  I'm asking these questions on behalf of my wife (no offence, but she's an absloute Luddite when it comes to technology - "technophobe" doesn't even come close :smileytongue:).

Thanks in anticipation,

Art