Full HDD with OS encryption

[Michael_R.]

Hey folks,
due to my new laptop I am wondering if I should encrypt the hard drive.

I´d really like to know, that my data is completely save, I am wondering though if it would make any major performance problems.

As I am on a thin and light laptop only:
CULV 2*1.3GHz
4gb RAM
320gb HDD 5400rpm


So far I just found true crypt, would it get the job done, or are there better alternatives?


Best regards,
Michael

[Musho]

I've never used encrypting software, but why encrypt the entire HDD? Wouldn't it be better to encrypt only the important files/folders? Atleast then you wouldn't get less performance on regular OS usage.

[rogard]

True crypt is pretty much the best out there.

I've never used encrypting software, but why encrypt the entire HDD? Wouldn't it be better to encrypt only the important files/folders? Atleast then you wouldn't get less performance on regular OS usage.

You can for example recover AES keys from pagefiles or scan your firefox password store for a dictionary to use against the ciper text.
..etc

As for performance some of intels cpus include AES 256 onboard accleration, which means almost no cost.

[Michael_R.]

my CPU does not seem to be capable of that feature.

How much loss of performance do I have to expect then?

[rogard]

Great thing about truecrypt is you can remove it completly, if you dont like the performance drop.

[apt403]

my CPU does not seem to be capable of that feature.

How much loss of performance do I have to expect then?

That depends on the level of encryption you want in Truecrypt. Aside from the unavoidable overhead encrypting/decrypting on the fly will have on your HDD performance, impact on overall performance hasn't been an issue in my experience. I've run it on old P3 boxes for file servers, and even while using the 3x encryption schemes that combine AES, Twofish, and Serpent, I didn't notice much of an impact on performance as far as the CPU goes. YMMV, since you're going for encryption on the HDD for a main computer, but if you just go with a single encryption standard, like AES (What I do for my main box), I doubt there'll be a very noticeable drop in performance.

[revlimiter9000]

Where can I find a good guide on how to basic for how to use Truecrypt?

[jcool]

Don't need one.. TrueCrypt comes with a great intro/wizard. Easy to use for anyone really. Just try it!

[Reznik Akime]

I had a laptop that I had the entire drive encrypted with TrueCrypt. I didn't notice a performance hit.

[theonewhotried]

if your looking for the tutorial

Main website
http://www.truecrypt.org/docs/?s=tutorial

otherwise

a step by step tutorial
http://devilsadvocatesecurity.blogsp...tion-with.html


used to use it on my laptop, great Program

[Michael_R.]

great folks, will give it a try then =)

[Michael_R.]

So, finally found some time to quickly install it, seems pretty easy, yet I have one problem, as I am on a CULV I don´t have any DVD or CD drive, but Truecrypt won´t let me progress without burning and verifying a rescue disc.
Couln´t find any work around.
Could someone help me?

Best regards,
Michael

[rogard]

use daemon tools to emulate it.

[IFMU]

Or magiciso.

For some reason I have never been able to use deamon tools effectively. Always gives me hassles. Regardless of machine or OS.
MagicISO has been pretty decent for me though.
To each their own.

[Michael_R.]

Thanks folks =)