Full Disk Encryption

[Anais]

Hello everyone,

I am not sure if this is the right place to post my inquiry but here it is and I hope you guys can give me some of your opinions and suggestions about it.

Has anyone used DriveCrypt PlusPack (from www.securstar.com)? It is a full disk encryption software and I am interested in purchasing it but I would love some suggestions and some opinions regarding it.

I have very sensitive data on my computer and I really consider a full HDD encryption. A friend of mine recommended DriveCrypt PlusPack but I never got a whole lot of info from him so I am asking for your opinion here. I know that full disk encryption should be considered only if very necessary but this is my case.

Any opinions and suggestions regarding this software are welcome.
Thank you!

[johnwill]

Well, you'll see a SIGNIFICANT difference in performance with the disk encrypted. You REALLY should consider keeping all the critical data in an encrypted container, the difference will be significant.

[Anais]

Hi Johnwill,

Thank you for your reply. Regarding your opinion I have to say that as far as file/folder encryption, the SecurStar people have a software called DriveCrypt that is specifically for encryption files or folders, actually it encrypts your data by putting it in a container that you create, I am familiar with this software. I do want full disk encryption though and I am aware of the fact that i should do it only if i truly needed it; about performance loss - I asked around and I contacted the Help Chat on www.securstar.com and they told me that the highest percent of performance lost with DCPP is 3 %...I don't think that's significant.

Again, thank you very much for your thoughts on this!

[johnwill]

Well, we'll have to agree to disagree about the 3% performance hit for full disk encryption, I frankly don't believe it.

[AndreaACME]

Ok but when you encrypt fully your HD you should be very careful in the migration process; just remeber that your SAM (equivalent to /etc/passwd) is going to get encrypted and if windows can't read that, you will be automatically LOCKED out of your own machine!

Regards,
Andy

[Anais]

Hi all,

johnwill - heheheh, well it's your personal opinion, what can say, I have asked on their website, the tech support :)

AndreaACME - thank you! I am aware that what you described could happen but DriveCrypt PlusPack has this option - you can create (and it's recommended from what I heard) an ER disk (emergency rescue disk)...which you can use if you encounter problems like the one you described.

thanks a lot to both for your replies!

[johnwill]

Originally Posted by Anais

Hi all,

johnwill - heheheh, well it's your personal opinion, what can say, I have asked on their website, the tech support :)

And naturally, the people trying to sell you the service wouldn't lie, right?

[Anais]

johnwill - hehehehhe, I guess you're right :)

thanks!

[truthseeker]

Originally Posted by johnwill

Well, you'll see a SIGNIFICANT difference in performance with the disk encrypted. You REALLY should consider keeping all the critical data in an encrypted container, the difference will be significant.

I agree. I keep a folder on my PC which contain private files and I have them all encrypted. I would never use a full HDD encryption application.