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encryption software?

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01-04-2008 , 12:04 AM

Marlow

adept

Join Date: Nov 2002 Posts: 996

Can you recommend an encryption software? Free is good because I'm cheap with this sort of thing.

Thanks!

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01-04-2008 , 12:13 AM

_dave_

_Pooh_Bah_

Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 13,154

Dude do *not* trust encryption software that is not Free and Open!

For what purpose is this wanted? Encrypting folders? Communications? etc.

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01-04-2008 , 10:02 AM

Marlow

adept

Join Date: Nov 2002 Posts: 996

Quote:

Originally Posted by _dave_

Dude do *not* trust encryption software that is not Free and Open!

For what purpose is this wanted? Encrypting folders? Communications? etc.

So I should only use an open source app? Is this because the code is transparent and people can see whether there's something malicious lying in wait?

As to your question, yes it is for encrypting folders. I don't really need it for anything other than folders and the occasional single file.

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01-04-2008 , 11:25 AM

kerowo

lolcat

Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 37,183

You aren't a government or a large corporation it doesn't matter what encryption software you use. Try google.

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01-04-2008 , 12:23 PM

MortalWombat

Pooh-Bah

Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 5,125

I use TrueCrypt.

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01-04-2008 , 02:56 PM

Marlow

adept

Join Date: Nov 2002 Posts: 996

Quote:

Originally Posted by MortalWombat

I use TrueCrypt.

Thanks. I'll check it out.

Killer avatar, btw.

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01-04-2008 , 03:36 PM

LeapFrog

Pooh-Bah

Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 5,537

Quote:

Originally Posted by MortalWombat

I use TrueCrypt.

2nd that

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01-04-2008 , 04:07 PM

Freakin

bacon wannabe

Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 17,152

TrueCrypt & AxCrypt are what I've used.

TrueCrypt is great for creating large encrypted volumes of files, and AxCrypt I use on an individual file basis.

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01-04-2008 , 04:29 PM

MortalWombat

Pooh-Bah

Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 5,125

Quote:

Originally Posted by Freakin

TrueCrypt & AxCrypt are what I've used.

TrueCrypt is great for creating large encrypted volumes of files, and AxCrypt I use on an individual file basis.

I have also used AxCrypt, and indeed it is very easy to use, especially for a single file. But beware that when installed, it sets itself up in the right-click context menu in Windows, so it is also easy for someone else who has access to your computer to encrypt your files as well.

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01-04-2008 , 04:33 PM

#10

Freakin

bacon wannabe

Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 17,152

Quote:

Originally Posted by MortalWombat

This is a somewhat strange concern. People can do a lot more malicious things to your computer besides encrypt your files if they get access to it. I personally like the right-click context menu.

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01-04-2008 , 04:36 PM

#11

Low Key

Carpal \'Tunnel

Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 33,327

Love the thread so far. I'm curious though, I've been thinking about encrypting my external hdd for a while, and think I may try to use this to do so.

Working under the assumption of a 500gb ext hdd that's half full with plans on adding more files, what would be the best strategy, if any, for encrypting it all? Encrypt the whole sum'bitch? Or would some form of structure make it easier to access individual bits/folders whenever needs? (I'm not terribly familiar with using encryption software, only the theories behind the algorithms.)

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01-04-2008 , 04:58 PM

#12

MortalWombat

Pooh-Bah

Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 5,125

Quote:

Originally Posted by Freakin

This is a somewhat strange concern. People can do a lot more malicious things to your computer besides encrypt your files if they get access to it. I personally like the right-click context menu.

I was thinking more of someone doing it inadvertently (either that, or I've been hanging out too much in BBV4L, where this is exactly the kind of prank that those jokers would pull). Like I said, I have used it for single files and like its ease of use for this purpose. It's just one thing to keep in mind.

Last edited by MortalWombat; 01-04-2008 at 05:11 PM.

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01-04-2008 , 07:36 PM

#13

CORed

Carpal \'Tunnel

Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 6,044

It is worth mentioning that Windows XP (Pro, anyway; I'm not sure about Home) comes with a decent encryption system, though it certainly is not Free and Open Source. The encryption key is tied to your password, so if you're looking for another layer of security in case your password is compromised, or you're sharing an account and want your encrypted stuff not to be readable by the person you are sharing with, it won't be suitable. It also isn't too good for removable media (USB stick or external hard drive), as files encrypted on one machine won't be readable on another. Also, it works only on NTFS, not on FAT.

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