Encryption?

crampo_2

I wondering if someone can help me. I want to encrypt my laptop completely. I have been reading about windows own built in Bitlocker and was wondering if this is any good.

If its better i would like a usb drive to be plugged in to be able to start windows (or along them lines). or a long encryption key

Wondering if anyone knows if bitlocker is good or if there is any other good software?

Cheers

esuhl

I haven't used encryption software much, but TrueCrypt is very highly regarded. I understand that it can create encrypted partitions, which sounds like what you're trying to do...

EDIT: Just found this comparison of Bitlocker and TrueCrypt on Tom's Hardware. It says that there's little difference in performance between the two applications, but "TrueCrypt is much more capable, thanks to its support for multiple operating systems and encryption algorithms. It even allows for creating hidden partitions and 'secure' systems based on a hidden primary and a visible decoy secondary operating system."

EDIT2: And this comparison for netbook users says that TrueCrypt has fewer options for centralised management and Bitlocker is 14% faster when using the same encryption algorithm...

debitcardmayhem

Have you got Windows Ultimate ? If not tough luck, look at https://www.truecrypt.com , but be very careful about encrypting your System Disk

crampo_2

debitcardmayhem wrote: »

Have you got Windows Ultimate ? If not tough luck, look at www.truecrypt.com , but be very careful about encrypting your System Disk

Yepo < Windows 7 Ultimate

Aiadi

crampo wrote: »

Yepo < Windows 7 Ultimate

Good, but I would still use TrueCrypt.

debitcardmayhem

crampo wrote: »

Yepo < Windows 7 Ultimate

Aiadi wrote: »

Good, but I would still use TrueCrypt.

Me too but I would not lose my lappy Encrypt the stuff that's important (the !!!!!! , the emails to the bird, and the torrents) but leave the system alone , my opinion only.:cool:

Edit of course you could always post on here saying "I can't remember the password for my System Disk and it won't boot"

crampo_2

debitcardmayhem wrote: »

Me too but I would not lose my lappy Encrypt the stuff that's important (the !!!!!! , the emails to the bird, and the torrents) but leave the system alone , my opinion only.:cool:

Edit of course you could always post on here saying "I can't remember the password for my System Disk and it won't boot"

The problem is if i just encrypt "just the files that need to be" then what about other files, like cookies, history files etc. The files that get "buried" deep that if for instance a professional could get to. Even if i delete them to a extent they are still recoverable. I would like to make it next to impossible to login/do anything without the aid of some e.g. 40 character password or a usb stick that contains the login information.

debitcardmayhem

crampo wrote: »

The problem is if i just encrypt "just the files that need to be" then what about other files, like cookies, history files etc. The files that get "buried" deep that if for instance a professional could get to. Even if i delete them to a extent they are still recoverable. I would like to make it next to impossible to login/do anything without the aid of some e.g. 40 character password or a usb stick that contains the login information.

Install your browser,userinfo and email client's inside the encrypted area end of story

debitcardmayhem

Mind you having said that there is of course the paging area hiberfil etc etc. So if you are that way inclined do it all, but remeber to back up and have more than copy of the USB/whatever just in case