Recommendations for free encryption software

esuhl

Hoseman wrote: »

Hi guys and thanks for ideas and questions.

Basically it was for a client that has some work related information. She basically has a duty to ensure her client info is kept secure. All I needed to do was to make some suggestions and I just needed to know what was out there that isnt easy for someone to access as paddyrg has indicated i.e. not low hanging fruit.

Trucrypt volume on a USB stick with offline backups...?

Sooler

Hoseman wrote: »

She basically has a duty to ensure her client info is kept secure.

Pay close attention to UK Data Protection law
http://www.out-law.com/page-413

eg.
Data should not be transferred to a country or territory outside the European Economic Area unless that country or territory ensures an adequate level of protection for the rights and freedoms of data subjects in relation to the processing of personal data.

bluesnake

esuhl wrote: »

Trucrypt volume on a USB stick with offline backups...?

Trucrypt is good, however if this person is not 'admin', Trucrypt and many others will not work on usb stick or volumes ( found on other PCs at work)

If it is a laptop, then many have a TPM module, which apparently on windows 8 is not totally secure, but Trucrypt the whole volume may be the answer.

windows does have its own encryption - EFS on non home editions, if enabled is not too shabby and free.

7zip works well, even as non admin.

Jivesinger

bluesnake wrote: »

If it is a laptop, then many have a TPM module, which apparently on windows 8 is not totally secure, but Trucrypt the whole volume may be the answer.

If the OP does have Windows 8, then I'd note that Truecrypt is not yet supported on Windows 8.

Personally I would be cautious about using it to encrypt a whole volume.

(If the user happened to have Windows 8 Pro, then Bitlocker is built in and lets you encrypt in a few ways, including USB sticks.)

Jivesinger

esuhl wrote: »

Trucrypt volume on a USB stick with offline backups...?

Also don't forget the value of offsite backups. If your house burns down or gets burgled, then your backups could be gone along with the original - of course this is a potential benefit of storing stuff in the cloud but it comes with other complications.

An encrypted USB Stick with a trusted friend or family member adds an extra layer of safety.