That is very interesting and thanks for posting. I don't really worry about NSA or other government agencies having a look at my files. It's all pretty boring stuff!
Truecrypt is now unsupported for Windows 10, so that is not an option for me. BitLocker has it's downside, so what are the other options? I don't want to change to Linux. Still trying to find a BitLocker download site!

Harry,

Try Truecrypt software.

I use it to form a virtual directory on C:\drive and put all sensitive stuff in that directory.

Also, I backup/copy the encrypted directory to flash drives etc. and run etc.

Seems strong encryption and once one gets the hang of it simple to set up.

Harry,

Try Truecrypt software.

I use it to form a virtual directory on C:\drive and put all sensitive stuff in that directory.

Also, I backup/copy the encrypted directory to flash drives etc. and run etc.

Seems strong encryption and once one gets the hang of it simple to set up.

Thanks Fred, but Truecrypt is now unsupported for the latest Windows systems, so there will be no more bug fixes or updates. Not sure I want to start with something already obsolete.

It seems a little like me.

I have used it for years with Windows 7.

8-(

Harry,

I was thinking of updating to Windows 10 and just looked at encryption software and read this :

Might be helpful



TrueCrypt and Its Derivatives
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3 Alternatives to the Now-Defunct TrueCrypt for Your Encryption Needs
TrueCrypt’s dramatic shutdown in May, 2014 left everyone shocked. TrueCrypt was the go-to recommendation for full-disk encryption software, and the... [Read Article]
Spending another $99 just to encrypt your hard drive for some additional security can be a tough sell when modern Windows PCs often only cost a few hundred bucks in the first place. You don’t have to pay the extra money for encryption because BitLocker isn’t the only option. BitLocker is the most integrated, well-supported option — but there are other encryption tools you can use.

TrueCrypt — an open-source full-disk encryption tool — still works with Windows 10 and is still an option. There are also other full-disk encryption tools based on TrueCrypt. These are free, open-source encryption tools you can install on Windows 10 Home or previous versions of Windows to encrypt your hard drive if you don’t have access to BitLocker. Unfortunately, TrueCrypt might require some fiddling if you have a modern PC. But, if you have a Windows 7-era PC you’ve upgraded to Windows 10, it may just work.

Yes, TrueCrypt’s developers did famously shut down development and declare TrueCrypt vulnerable and unsafe to use, but the jury is still out in the security community on whether it actually is vulnerable or not. More importantly, much of the discussion around this centers on whether the NSA and other security agencies have a way to crack TrueCrypt encryption. If you’re just encrypting your hard drive so thieves can’t access your personal files if they steal your laptop, you don’t have to worry about this. TrueCrypt should be more than secure enough.



We’d like to see Microsoft give more Windows 10 users access to BitLocker — or at least extend Device Encryption so it can be enabled on more PCs. Modern Windows computers should have built-in encryption tools, just like all other modern consumer operating systems do. Windows 10 users shouldn’t have to pay extra or hunt down third-party software to protect their important data if their laptops are ever misplaced or stolen..

Thanks Fred. Windows 10 doesn't include BitLocker in the Home version, but it is included in the Pro version and above, though at a higher cost. This is partly because the software requires an extra chip on the motherboard (TPM) and the user agreement doesn't authorise it's use without this chip.
TrueCrypt seemed to be a reliable, secure and popular product. Just wish there was something equivalent to replace it.

Interesting - I've not looked at this before - I have Bitlocker, but it isn't enabled.

The reason for my asking is that I store all of my password / access details on a USB stick and it would seem sensible to encrypt this in the event that I lose it.
Presumably you have a Pro version of Windows skinny?

Yes - I bought the machine with Windows 8 pro installed at the time.

I hold my passwords in a password protected spread sheet.

Surely storing passwords on your hard drive is really easy for Trojan / virus software to find?

Sorry - the spreadsheet is saved to a USB stick.

Ah.....good plan!

Why don't you lot get a proper system and buy a Mac -):

Very nice to.

I think you might get some good benefit from using a product such as KeePass. (I use it myself - v.1.31).

You can use it on your main PC and also use it as a portable version. When you do, it is stored using strong encryption and unlocked with a master password (the length and strength of which is down to your own choice. It also has the useful facility to allow you to store lots of Notes.

eg. "I don't live in the same premises that Moneyam operate its Heinz 57 businesses from" - translates into "IdlitsptMoiH57bf" = 16 digits of upper/lower case and with numerics password.

I'm sure you can invent a similar kind of password for yourself.

I do think KeePass is fantastic - and it is Free.

http://keepass.info/compare.html

There are some Screenshots available on the KeePass web site but they don't really give you a good idea of what you actually get, IMHO.

As it's Free, I would strongly suggest you download it and try it out by making a few actual bono fido entries for, say 6 diffferent web sites or so. Just for your own reassurance initially, you could make these non-financial web sites.

Then have a real life play around with it to see how it works.

1. Opening the URL of one of the web sites with just a click.
2. Copying over a username with a 'right click and select' (which lasts for only 10 seconds in your memory cache and then disintegrates within the cache)
3. Similarly copying over a password (these also only similarly last for 10 seconds in memory cache)

KeePass Review

Cheers Exec. This is a link to Pro / Con / Bottom Line.

http://uk.pcmag.com/keepass/1664/review/keepass

They also recommend LastPass 2.0 and Dashlane 1.1.

Evening.

I have just had W10 trying to download onto this computer, it was quite insistant, and only by luck I have managed to delay its download.

The thing is, it's coming back Monday whether I like it or not: ok, it says you can go back, but shit, its forcing its way onto your comp in the first place.

How do I stop it, cos I don't want it.

Many thanks (non techy)