Do you encrypt your personal data?

UnixGuy

As I'm migrating my data to a new laptop and taking backup to an external hard drive, I was thinking of encrypting my data in case my laptop (or external hard drive) got stolen.

I don't have any sensitive data, just random ebooks/pdfs (can be found online for free) and some personal photos, that's why I was not very protective of my data in the past.

my questions to you:

1) Do you encrypt your personal data (on your personal laptop/smart phone/backup external hard drive) ?

2) What encryption software do you use?

GAngel

Only a password folder. I'm not that interesting.

truecrypt

the_Grinch

Though I should, my personal stuff is not encrypted. At work we use Checkpoint's encryption and thus far have been really happy with it. It has the advantage of not using a ton of resources and you can shut down the laptop during the encryption process. You just have to let it hit 1% and then you are good to go. That being said, it only takes about 24 hours to fully encrypt a drive.

JaneDoe

I only encrypt things I need to keep private. I'd rather not encrypt pictures and stuff because the risk of losing access to the data due to to a small drive issue where I could otherwise retrieve it is greater than the risk of the wrong person seeing my schoolwork.

J_86

My laptop is fully encrypted with TrueCrypt.

My desktop, only some folders with sensitive stuff (financial, bank statements, etc).

Master Of Puppets

I encrypt everything Most of the stuff, I don't really need to but I am always paranoid when it comes to privacy and stuff like that. Everything sensitive and totally worthless gets encrypted. As far as software - mostly TrueCrypt.

WafflesAndRootbeer

I don't use encryption software since I have nothing on any of my machines that is sensitive but TrueCrypt with CPU-accelerated encryption (only available on the recent CPUs) would be the way to go. The crappy thing about on-board hardware encryption like what you'd find in the latest SSDs is that it requires specific hardware and software support in the BIOS and you won't find those outside of a few Enterprise-grade products.

hoktauri

I got my password manager and TrueCrypt for all my business records.

JaneDoe

If you're responsible encrypting only what you need can provide better security because it's encrypted while you're doing other things with the computer. Someone else needs to check their email on your laptop? No problem, your sensitive files are still encrypted. Traveling and need to use the computer? Again no problem, if the computer is lost or stolen while it's asleep your files are still encrypted and secure. With OS encryption any use of the computer decrypts your files.

If you do this you have to be careful to make sure your temporary files are also safe. I installed portable open office in my truecrypt partition to address this issue, and use that to open sensitive files, not a program installed on locally on my machine. I'd guess you could install two OS, one for sensitive material and one for everyday use, but that could be a bigger headace that it's worth.

gabypr

I encrypt my personal data in case my laptop or usb drive is lost. I use on my usb drive truecrypt and on my new laptop windows 8 pro bitlocker.

About7Narwhal

I am similar to most everyone in the thread. I use BitLocker with a USB key on my laptop and for anyone who considers the same; I would suggest creating a recovery agent on a desktop. It has saved my ass twice now. My desktop is not encrypted with the exception of external backups. Anything that could "disappear" will be encrypted, private or not. I see some of you use third party apps, but I don't see the point for my data. Nothing is confidential, so an in-house solution serves as the deterrent I look for.

tpatt100

I used to until I realized I don't really have anything important in one spot.

joehalford01

I use an encrypted true crypt partition to hold sensitive stuff like my tax returns. That's about all I put in there though.

MrXpert

I have been using Cobian which has AES. Works very well and I also program it to automatically run differential backups.

UnixGuy

Thanks everyone! I appreciate your input

Decision taken: I will use Truecrypt

N2IT

Naaa more of a trouble than it's worth. Like tpatt mentioned I don't have much of value except some databases and spreadsheets.

ptilsen

I have gone back on forth on this in my head, and ultimately keep coming to the conclusion that it's not worth it. While there's some private data, there's nothing incriminating and passwords and credit cards can be changed. Realistically, if someone steals my laptop they will wipe it and resell it before they'll use any of my data.

If I had something particularly sensitive that someone might target, I'd have TrueCrypt on in a heartbeat. Since I don't, I don't.

UnixGuy

I just finished encrypting my data using TrueCrypt, it's very easy and convenient I like it!

jibbajabba

N2IT wrote: »

Naaa more of a trouble than it's worth.

^^ That ... I don't bother. Don't have anything worth protecting really. I once encrypted a whole external hard drive. Something went wrong, don't remember what (forgot password / lost key / got corrupter - don't remember) and got stuck with lost resume / music and whatnot lol ..

So no, nothing worth protecting ..

UnixGuy wrote: »

I just finished encrypting my data using TrueCrypt, it's very easy and convenient I like it!

It's a good product indeed .. work laptops are encrypted using it.

gabypr

UnixGuy wrote: »

I just finished encrypting my data using TrueCrypt, it's very easy and convenient I like it!

Yeah TrueCrypt is very easy to use. Creating a secure container is just some clicks away. Also if you have a USB drive you can encrypt it with TrueCrypt too.

TryeCrypt has some advanced features such as encrypt and hide a full partition with an OS inside which even could avoid forensic examinations (to some extent).

UnixGuy

I've read about those features, very interesting. I didn't encrypt a whole partition, I just create a 500GB file called Data and mounted and copied my data there. Next I will buy a new backup USB external hard drive and I will encrypt it

UnixGuy

ok guys quick question:

now to backup my encrypted data, I can just copy the encrypted file that contains all my encrypted to an external hard drive. no need to create an encrypted volume on the external hard drive and copy the data, right?

michellepinto

No,why would one want to encrypt their personal data? It's not like there are nuclear launch codes

jibbajabba

UnixGuy wrote: »

ok guys quick question:

now to backup my encrypted data, I can just copy the encrypted file that contains all my encrypted to an external hard drive. no need to create an encrypted volume on the external hard drive and copy the data, right?

Right. All you need is that file, your key file and / or password and you are golden. I used to backupthe encrypted file to dropbox .

PurpleIT

michellepinto wrote: »

No,why would one want to encrypt their personal data? It's not like there are nuclear launch codes

Speak for yourself.

Params7

Portable truecrypt on a USB stick is good.

About7Narwhal

PurpleIT wrote: »

Speak for yourself.

Wait.. are you saying you have nuclear launch codes or are you saying that you disagree with michellepinto's stance on personal data encryption??

ptilsen

He definitely has the launch codes.

UnixGuy

I'm a dangerous guy

PurpleIT

About7Narwhal wrote: »

Wait.. are you saying you have nuclear launch codes or are you saying that you disagree with michellepinto's stance on personal data encryption??

I prefer not to answer that.

The first rule of Launch Codes is you don't talk about Launch Codes.

GoodBishop

I should encrypt my stuff.... but I don't.

I need to organize my stuff before I encrypt it.