Encryption and passwords

[FPS]

I have password protected my thumb drive. I was advised to encrypt those
files for complete safety -- and I did.

However, to access the encrypted files, I need to enter a password. Now, I
have 2 passwords -- one for the thumb drive and one for the encrypted vault.

Can someone please explain why the encryption is "safer" when those files
can be accessed with a password and the thumb drive itself is password
protected, too?

 

[FPS]

thank you for your reply and your promptness. Basically, you've confirmed
that someone can work around or bypass the passwords and still be thwarted by
the encrypted files. Aha!!