Aviran's Place

[mpsan]

Hello ALL:

I was wondering if the free TrueCrypt software would do what I want. There are free, and not so free, programs out there but all I want is something that will protect my laptop if it is stolen. I just want to know that Quicken, email and web passwords can not be seen. I do not believe I need a program to encrypt the whole drive including the OS...or do I? I see that DriveCrypt claims they are the best, but it is not free like TrueCrypt.

TIA

[KilleRabbit]

If you have XP pro you can encrypt folders using NTFS

[mpsan]

[quote="KilleRabbit"]If you have XP pro you can encrypt folders using NTFS[/quote]

Yes, but I thought that an on the fly whole disk method would do better. I would have to figure out each folder otherwise.

[Aviran]

I never used these progs but I would also go with a folder encryption. The reason for that is that in case of a drive error you can still repair your windows installation, and you'll get better performance because your CPU will only have to handle encryption / decryption on the data folders and not on the entire drive, which means every read and write. There in no real reason to encrypt the Windows folder or the Program Files folder, only data folders.

[mpsan]

Good point(s) and I can add folders as needed. I will look. I wonder if TrueCrypt has a folder option?

[quote="Aviran"]I never used these progs but I would also go with a folder encryption. The reason for that is that in case of a drive error you can still repair your windows installation, and you'll get better performance because your CPU will only have to handle encryption / decryption on the data folders and not on the entire drive, which means every read and write. There in no real reason to encrypt the Windows folder or the Program Files folder, only data folders.[/quote]

[mpsan]

[quote="KilleRabbit"]If you have XP pro you can encrypt folders using NTFS[/quote]

I have been looking at EFS, which is what you mean. On our laptop, I have an ID set for me and another for my wife. However, we do not use a login password. I do not see where EFS lets you set a password but it generates one. I assume that if I do use EFS, I must first have a login password for the users. Otherwise anyone can get to the EFS protected folders.

Do I understand this right?

TIA