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Security Information |
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Its Time to Sing the Encryption Song - Again!
Yes, I'm wearing my encryption hat again. Why you may ask? Well I just finished reading about the newest security hole in Microsoft's latest server product. Then couple that with all the recent hacker activity, new reports from the GAO (that's the Government Accounting Office) that the government can't protect it's own computers and data much less the data WE send them, reports that computer theft is on the rise and news that the FBI is now developing a new computer "worm" (read virus) to spy on citizens, I decided to sing the encryption song again. This time I'll sing a verse about personal data encryption. So what do I mean by personal data encryption? I mean ANY data on ANY storage medium that relates to you, your family or your business. Encryption is the process of scrambling electronic data in such a way that it's unreadable to all but the owner. For the purposes of this article I'll cover two different ways to encrypt data and the pros and cons of each. The first way is file/folder encryption. This is the process by which someone identifies what data they want to protect on a file by file or folder basis and then encodes each file or folder using some kind of software encryption tool. What are the pros of this style of encryption? First, each file or folder can be assigned its own "encryption key". Then, even if one key gets "cracked" open, all the other files or folders will still be safe. Next, only those files and folders you identify and select will be encrypted. This allows for a "gnat's behind" level of detail that some folks need to feel secure. What are the cons of file or folder level encryption? Well, at this level of detail, tracking of all the different encryption keys and file locations would be an administrative nightmare! So, unless you have days to spend identifying files and folders and encrypting them or if you are really, really into details, file level encryption just isn't practical for most people. The second way to protect personal data is drive encryption. Unlike file encryption, drive level encryption allows a user to create a reserved area on the hard drive called a container. Once created, this container can be "mounted" or set to act like another fully functional hard drive on a computer. It will appear in the file manager just like any other drive. What are the pros for drive encryption? This space can be "mounted" using a single encryption key and the key only needs to be entered once. After it's mounted, this virtual drive can contain any data and / or program, just like any regular drive. But when it's dismounted, the virtual drive is no longer visible and the container looks like any other file, the contents of which are completely inaccessible without the encryption key. What's the down side to drive encryption? If you forget your key, all the data and / or program information in the container is lost. Also, all the information is only protected by a single key. So if your key is compromised, all your information is available to prying eyes. What's my recommendation? Drive encryption. Drive encryption is far more efficient than file encryption especially if you need to access your data frequently. Drive encryption also allows for the complete encryption of programs, something virtually impossible to do with file level encryption. (Well not impossible but certainly problematic and time consuming!) And by creating an encryption key of sufficient size and complexity, the single key issue becomes almost moot. One site I visited recently stated that it would take one million computers performing one million operations per second approximately 11 trillion years to crack a 128 bit encryption key! So, by using an encryption key of about 64 random characters, a hacker would need multiple life times to crack open your files. There are several programs available online for both file and drive encryption. All these programs differ in functionality, price, encryption algorithms and interfaces. The best way to proceed is to do a search from your favorite search engine on encryption tools and read about the options available. Don't wait! The day will come when your system gets compromised by some hacker or thief or FBI agent and then you'll wish you had protected your data. Privacy is your right! Exercise it! Michael Ameye has been developing web sites since 1995. He started writing about online privacy issues to answer questions from family, friends and co-workers. Visit http://www.canyourspam.com to see his latest work. He is also the chief editor of PSS Online, A Privacy, Safety and Security eZine dedicated to bringing important information to people in order to foster a safer more secure environment - online and off. Visit http://www.pssonline.info to subscribe.
MORE RESOURCES: false The Hill Gazprom security outfit raises concern of new Russia mercenary army Business Insider Tallahassee hospital IT security 'event' has signs of ransomware attack Tallahassee Democrat Illinois to Require Security Guards in Gas Stations, Grocery Stores? CSPDailyNews.com DoD and Danish Ministry of Defense Sign Security of Supply ... Department of Defense Ukraine: Meeting under the “Threats to International Peace and ... Security Council Report Tallahassee Memorial resumes 'limited' elective procedures as IT ... WUSF Public Media Security Think Tank: Poor training is worse than no training at all ComputerWeekly.com The Worldwide Cyber Security Consulting Services Industry is Anticipated to Reach $8.614 Billion in 2027 Yahoo Finance Minerals Security Partnership Governments Engage with African ... Department of State Drug distributor AmerisourceBergen confirms security breach BleepingComputer Check Point Software Releases its 2023 Security Report ... Check Point Software Skybox Security raises $50M and appoints Mo Rosen CEO SiliconANGLE News Joint Statement following a UN Security Council meeting on Syria ... United States Mission to the United Nations Coal emissions must fall, but energy security is vital World Economic Forum CEO Of Security Company Sentenced To Five Years In Prison For ... Department of Justice Governor Abbott Announces Statewide Plan Banning Use Of TikTok Office of the Texas Governor New FTX CEO says security so bad execs could have stolen $500M Business Insider River Cree Resort and Casino updates security with Genetec Security Magazine Biden Administration Announces Additional Security Assistance for ... Department of Defense Smiths Detection security tech to equip five New Zealand airports Airport Technology Central American Security Conference (CENTSEC) 2023 U.S. Southern Command President Biden Announces Appointments to the President’s ... The White House Ukraine's Caverns Offer Europe Energy Security Center for European Policy Analysis Invitation: Briefing of the UN Security Council on Children & Armed ... Children and Armed Conflict St. Lucie County considers new security cameras following deadly mass shooting WPTV News Channel 5 West Palm Department of Homeland Security limits no-knock warrants, chokeholds in updated use-of-force policy Yahoo! Voices Memphis Police Chief Trained With Israel Security Forces The Intercept DHS Announces Process Enhancements for Supporting Labor ... Homeland Security Speech, Speed and Security: What's new in Chrome 110 Chrome Unboxed U.S. military poised to secure new access to key Philippine bases The Washington Post |
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