Data encrypting software like AlertBoot can go a long way in keeping your information secure. And, because of advances in technology, it's not as hard as it used to be.
We've all heard of stories where a computer is stolen, accessed by the thief, and a bunch of people have to deal with the aftermath of identity theft. Encryption software is used in part to protect oneself, and others, from such circumstances. It's also used if you want to limit access to important files on your computer: personal journals/diaries; work or personal projects that require secrecy; discrete messages; etc.
There are largely two types of encryption: full disk encryption and file encryption. While the "encryption technology" behind each is the same, they're different in what's being achieved. Full disk encryption (FDE) encrypts the contents of an entire device. It can be used for encrypting a laptop, external hard drives, and even USB memory sticks. FDE's biggest advantage is that one doesn't need to remember to encrypt a file. As long as it saved on the encrypted device, it's protected. (This also means that, if a file is copied off the device, it won't be protected anymore). In the past, FDE was rejected on the grounds that it makes a computer run slower. This is technically still true...just like the space shuttle will fly slower if Fat Albert is the pilot instead of a 12-year old girl. In other words, with modern computers, you'll barely notice a difference in the speed of your computer. File encryption encrypts, as the name implies, electronic documents: text files, spreadsheets, digital pictures, etc. The advantage of file encryption is that a file remains encrypted no matter what--even if you e-mail it, copy it to a USB stick or external drive, upload it to the net, etc. The disadvantage is that, if the file is important, you have to remember to encrypt it. In theory, it shouldn't be a problem. Reality, though, shows that people forget to follow rules...and are more than willing to take shortcuts. Otherwise, the theft of a laptop wouldn't result in data breaches. The best approach may be to use both types of encryption: FDE on all devices, and then make a point of encrypting any files that are e-mailed or copied off the disk. While encryption is a powerful way of protecting your data, it must be remembered that it's not the be all, end all of data security, and you must take that into account. For example, it won't protect you from Trojan horses that steal your on-line bank account passwords. Just like your body experiences different ailments (and requires differ treatments), information security requires different approaches to different threats.
There are largely two types of encryption: full disk encryption and file encryption. While the "encryption technology" behind each is the same, they're different in what's being achieved.
Full disk encryption (FDE) encrypts the contents of an entire device. It can be used for encrypting a laptop, external hard drives, and even USB memory sticks. FDE's biggest advantage is that one doesn't need to remember to encrypt a file. As long as it saved on the encrypted device, it's protected. (This also means that, if a file is copied off the device, it won't be protected anymore).
In the past, FDE was rejected on the grounds that it makes a computer run slower. This is technically still true...just like the space shuttle will fly slower if Fat Albert is the pilot instead of a 12-year old girl. In other words, with modern computers, you'll barely notice a difference in the speed of your computer.
File encryption encrypts, as the name implies, electronic documents: text files, spreadsheets, digital pictures, etc. The advantage of file encryption is that a file remains encrypted no matter what--even if you e-mail it, copy it to a USB stick or external drive, upload it to the net, etc.
The disadvantage is that, if the file is important, you have to remember to encrypt it. In theory, it shouldn't be a problem. Reality, though, shows that people forget to follow rules...and are more than willing to take shortcuts. Otherwise, the theft of a laptop wouldn't result in data breaches.
The best approach may be to use both types of encryption: FDE on all devices, and then make a point of encrypting any files that are e-mailed or copied off the disk.
While encryption is a powerful way of protecting your data, it must be remembered that it's not the be all, end all of data security, and you must take that into account. For example, it won't protect you from Trojan horses that steal your on-line bank account passwords. Just like your body experiences different ailments (and requires differ treatments), information security requires different approaches to different threats.