A method of encrypting information in a data storage device that includes a storage medium having a plurality of physical memory locations referenced through logical block addresses is provided. The method includes receiving, in the data storage device, data from a host computer. At least a portion of the received data is encrypted, within the data storage device, if the at least a portion of the received data is destined for storage in at least a subset of the plurality of physical memory locations, which correspond to a predetermined range of logical block addresses. The encryption of the at least a portion of the received data is substantially transparent to the host computer and independent of a file to which the at least a portion of the data belongs. In addition, a data storage device readable by a computer system for implementing the above encryption method is provided.