Data Encryption For Laptop

Quick Buyers Guide

These days, Data encryption for laptop is not even an option, if you ask me.

You must have it. Period.

Before i help you choose a solution that's right for you, here are some facts re enforcing why data encryption for laptops is important:

• Over 600,000 laptop thefts occurred in 2004, and it only increased since then
• In 2002, the chances of a laptop being stolen were 1 in 10
• 57% of corporate crimes are linked to stolen laptops.

Let's get into the possible choices you can make...

There are three types of encryption you can make use of

• whole drive
• virtual drive
• file/folder based

The Two Main Types Of "Whole Drive" Options

• Software Based - laptop encryption software

Make sure the software you choose is easy to use.

A good program will ensure automatic real-time encryption of all data on the hard disk of your laptop. This on-the-fly approach make it transparent for you and requires no action on your part. And this ensures strong security.

If you really need to protect all the data on your on your existing laptop, then this is what you need.

If you are interested in such software, pick one which won't slow your computer down much.

Recommendation
One of the best, if not the best solution is pointsec.They're not an industry leader and used by thousands of organizations all over the world for no reason...

See their solution here...http://www.pointsec.com/products/laptop/

• Hardware-Based - Brand New Technology!

If you are shopping for a new laptop or if you are willing to buy a new hard drive, then there is good news for you!

Just recently, Seagate came out with a hard drive with hardware-based full disk encryption - right on the physical hard drive itself.

What this mean is that the COMPLETE hard drive get encrypted with security keys and cryptographic operations on the drive, separate from the operating system.

This provides much greater protection against hacking or ingenious "work around" to get to your data - compared to traditional encryption software.

To learn more...
http://www.seagate.com/www/en-us/products/laptops/momentus/momentus_5400_fde.2/

• Dedicated encrypted "virtual" drive

A part of your hard drive is used to create a virtual drive which is encrypted.

All the files within that drive get encrypted.

The advantages:

It allows you to share your computer with others and feel comfortable with that, even if you have sensitive information on it you dont want anyone to get access to.

The virtual encrypted drive make the files contained in them unreadable by others, yet they can still use the computer and the rest of the files on it.

Especially practical if a pc maintenance or network guy needs access to your computer. They will still be able to do the maintenance and your sensitive data will still be out of reach.

Recommendation
I highly recommend Winmagic secureDoc 3.1 .

It is highly regarded with powerful features which makes it a fast and secure solution.

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