General SecurityPost any general questions related to security, viruses or spyware here.
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Most of the security issues discussed here are about spyware and firewalls.
There is a considerable security threat from unprotected laptop computers and transportable devices like jump drives that are misplaced and can be accessed if they are not encrypted.
There are a number of encryption programs that offer encryption on the fly. These programs format a volume on the PC or device and all the files that are placed in the volume are encrypted.
I use MaxCrypt which I just down loaded a week ago. I do not know if it is the best or the worst of the lot. So far it is stable on XP Home and does what it says it will do.
It supports secure file deletion and hiding of unencrypted files from the system so that they cannot be seen, accessed, changed or deleted without the pass phase.
There are free encryption utilities at the EPIC web site.
In addition to encryption there is a critical need for secure file deletion and drive wiping.
All drives wear out and eventually the computer gets turned for repairs or replacement.
It is well known that Windows does do delete the actual data in data files. It just takes down the beginning and end of the file markers and leaves the data to be eventually over written. Any one with a data recovery program can recover significant amounts of data from drives.
The programs accomplish secure file deletion over writing the file with a chaotic data stream a number of times (35 times on my machine).
A drive wiper is need for the same reason. The drive wiper over writes the entire drive from start to finish.
There are two types.
One that I have will over write all the free space where free space is defined, as the area not occupied by either programs or data files.
This one is provided by Kremlin Encrypt, which is old and unfortunately apparently no longer around.
An alternative to a drive wiper is a special procedure that I developed for old drives which I may apply for a patent for:
1. Remove the C drive from the computer.
2. Take the drive out into the garage.
3. Lay the drive on a concrete floor.
4. Take a sledgehammer in hand.
5. Beat the drive in to many pieces.
I do not believe I have ever had any data compromised using this procedure.
