Re: Simple question about laptop file security

Bruce Chambers wrote:
here@xxxxxxxxxxx wrote:
I've browsed through various Windows docs and can't seem to get a
simple answer to the following question.

I've always used third-party encryption software to encrypt sensitive
files on my laptop in case it was lost or stolen but I'm wondering if
that's really necessary.


Well, it'd stop a rank amateur from accessing your files, but would
hardly slow down a professional who stole the laptop with the goal of
getting at your data. Encryption is helpful, but none is 100%
iron-clad.

My question is, if my laptop is lost or
stolen and I have a password on the administrator account and
password on my user account, would someone be able to access my
files somehow if they're not encrypted?


Certainly. It's take less than 5 minutes for anyone with physical
access to the computer and any of the dozens of Linux-based password
cracking tools that are freely available to anyone who can use Google.


I'm using XP Home and can't use the built-in
file encryption available in the Professional edition.

That's a rather curious statement. I wonder why not? OP?



Without physical security, you have no security. If you have data
that you absolutely cannot afford to have accesses, don't store it on
the laptop's internal drive.

Right on!


Actually, XP's native encryption is an excellent implementation as long
as you remember to export your encryption keys in case you ever do a
repair install, put in a new drive, etc. etc.. To break that is an
expensive prospect and there are few work-arounds without the keys. But
if anyone has physical access to the machine, well ...


.

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