Protecting data on a personal computer and digital media by using encryption
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26.04.2009 - review of Password Safe
23.04.2009 - the english version of site created
20.01.2009 - published an article "The Principles and nuances of selecting the password"
This resource provides an overview of programs of data encryption, and these articles are intended to enable users to more easily make the right choice, and indeed to protect private information from strangers. At the moment, given the description of Windows-programs, but much of the above applies to versions for other operating systems (in the presence of these versions).
Immediately emphasize that the main criterion in assessing the encryption program in this review supports safety. These words may seem primitive, but the previous approval obvious. However, in reality, unfortunately, is often different. The software developers of information security (including encryption) often do not take into account the specifics of creating software specifically for the protection of information, but use the same approaches and methods as in the creation of other applications, where security issues usually are at the bottom of the list, but their decision to put the minimum work. This can be attributed to the lack of development experience in the field of information security, but no explanation should not force you to use low-quality product - in fact it is the most critical area - your safety.
There are many situations involving loss of confidential data. Lost support with important information can be CD, DVD, flash drive or even a laptop. This may be intentional theft targets. Even if the attacker had intended to steal only the equipment, and information was not its purpose - is found on the media files with interesting content (eg, financial data), it can use them or sell.
Such situations may arise as to the information on the portable hard drive, internal memory of PDA, mobile phones and other media.
On the laptop can remain a variety of passwords for access to payment systems, postal, gaming and other services (use at least password manager!).
In such cases, the resulting financial costs may exceed several times the cost of lost equipment.
Data encryption helps to prevent or impair their receipt of other people. Steganography allows you to hide both the data itself (encrypted and unencrypted), and the mere fact of encryption.
The program data encryption works as follows. At medium reserved a special area (as a file or volume). This area is often protected in some way (eg, hiding or introduce measures to prevent its removal). All data recorded in this area, is encrypted (encryption is considered to be good "on the fly" - when the recording data will be encrypted in any case, that is, the vehicle will be recorded only encrypted data - no recording of data in clear text!).
To access the encrypted area is usually required to enter a password, specified when creating the field. Different programs of their understanding of the complexity of the password, the password complexity may depend on the importance of protected data, remember that each additional character increases the number of possible combinations in approximately one hundred times. The author recommends to choose a password at least 20 characters, and it must meet complexity requirements. Of course, such a long password to use, provided that, firstly, the data actually require a high degree of protection, and secondly the program encryption provides an adequate level of reliability. Unfortunately, the second condition is not always done, that is all your work on the memorization of long and continuous use of strong passwords may be in vain.
From these considerations, the existing software products of all classified into two categories: recommended for use and is not recommended. The gray list is not a subcategory of the recommended programs, and includes programs that do not fall into the white list (that is, I do not recommend their use), and numbered with a black list, vozomozhno, would be too loud.
Also, I do not think it necessary to charge any points for testing the software: if the program does not meet the proper level of security at least one criterion - it is not suitable for use.
Consider this example: Compare two file encryption program. As you can see, the names of programs are similar, but what lies behind each of them? How to decide what program to use? About the same time you can find by clicking on the appropriate link.
| Recommended | Not recommended |
|---|---|
| TrueCrypt | BestCrypt |
If you use software to encrypt files and data - check to whether this program in the list of not recommended. If so - try to understand the described shortcomings, which are related to the appropriate link, it appears to inform you about possible threats to security. Your right to decide whether to continue to benefit from this program, but the author warns of the dangers and advised to prepare data for transport to another system and uninstall the program, the recommended setting for your goals.
If your program is not in both lists - write me a letter (admin@cryptosoft.info), which will set out the name of the program (with version number), as well as your own observations (handy if you need it to work, whether failure or other problem when using the program) and desires (what additional features would you like to see / use the program).
admin
Published (eng. ver.): 26.04.2009
Last modified: 26.04.2009
This page is translated automatically by Google Translator with some corrections
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