Data encryption

[trevorwood]

Got a client who has a need to encrypt certain files on his computer so that if some thieving scum nicks it, the data can't be accessed, even if they get his username & password

Anyone using anything or know of anything? Paid is fine

[colboy]

Hi Trevor. Something I use personally and stand behind wholeheartedly, is TrueCrypt, TrueCrypt - Free Open-Source On-The-Fly Disk Encryption Software for Windows Vista/XP, Mac OS X and Linux

It's available on Windows, MacOSx and Linux and best of all it's free.

Hope this is of help.

Colin

[trevorwood]

Thanks Colin

I'll have a look at this

[russellhenley]

If you buy Vista Business (or above) then you get Bitlocker, which is used by the UK Government.

Otherwise you can encrypt individual files with XP Pro or above using Encrypting File Services (EFS), but be warned if you reset your password you lose access to the files!

Most expensive option is Flagstone hard drives, but these are very expensive!




Russ.

[Emma]

Originally Posted by russellhenley

...get Bitlocker, which is used by the UK Government.

Is that really a good endorsement?!

[russellhenley]

Originally Posted by Emma

Is that really a good endorsement?!

It means that the numpty staff that leave laptops on trains don't have to worry about the data on the hard drive falling into the wrong hands (as long as they don't leave the crytpo key plugged in, obviously).

Plenty of highly skilled hackers have tried breaking it, and have so far failed.

Now all we have to do is stop them printing stuff out and carrying it round...and getting photographed!

Regards,



Russ.

[mandyjane]

Security is indeed becoming more of an issue as people now rely on their laptops for PCs for not just personal use but business practices as well. This article provides tips on how to protect your laptop with a secure password - http://www.geekstogo.com/forum/Choos...d-t166081.html
Mandy
HP

[AdamW]

Originally Posted by russellhenley

If you buy Vista Business (or above) then you get Bitlocker, which is used by the UK Government.

Otherwise you can encrypt individual files with XP Pro or above using Encrypting File Services (EFS), but be warned if you reset your password you lose access to the files!

Most expensive option is Flagstone hard drives, but these are very expensive!




Russ.

I'm surprised that anyone in the UK government has Vista. Some of the departments I deal with have only just got XP!

[Ray Stewart]

I think he meant BitLocker - not vista

[AdamW]

Good point Ray :P

[VAExtraordinaire]

Hi Trevor,

The technology you can use is called Bitlocker and is built into Windows Vista Ultimate Edition and Windows Vista Enterprise. It is a full volume encryption technology - that is, it encrypts the whole drive and not just individual files. It is fully integrated into Windows and is totally transparent to the user and to applications. To work best, Bitlocker needs a trusted platform module (a hardware encryption chip built into the motherboard). The TPM stores the encryption keys, performs enryption and decryption in hardware and has anti-tamper mechanisms that will lock down the drive should a user attempt to circumvent the encryption.

Windows 7 extends Bitlocker technology onto removable storage such as USB flash drives, this is called Bitlocker-to-go.

If you don't need full volume encryption or don't want to upgrade to Windows Vista Ultimate, then you can use NTFS encryption on individual files or complete folders. Just right click the file or folder, select 'Properties' click the 'Advanced' button and tick the encryption check box. When using this technique, the encryption is only as strong as your Windows password.

Hope this is of help.

Best regards,
Grace

[trevorwood]

Hi Grace

Upgrading to Vista is not an option and the NTFS encryption doesn't do the job. I think I've found something - PGP Netshare - just need the client to decide when he wants to try it