TrueCrypt: Should I Use It?

[mlauzon]

I finally got a passport for the first time in my life -- I'm almost 40 -- and I plan on taking my first trip across the border in 23 years, back then you didn't need a passport.

So, my questions are:

Should I encrypt my laptop hard drives (there are 2 seperate ones), before I go?

And, is there any other security/privacy software that you'd recommend, besides the usual ones?

[tezza]

how about http://preyproject.com/ ?

:)

[mlauzon]

What the heck is that..?!

[tezza]

What the heck is that..?!

It's a free, open source application that works globally on most operating systems. Since Prey is open source and location-tracking is only triggered by the user when needed, there may be fewer privacy concerns. As with other tracking software, Prey provides location reports, sits silently in the background gathering information like network/wi-fi details, and uses a laptop's webcam to photograph the thief. Besides protecting your privacy and working pretty well, it's free, so using Prey is pretty much a no-brainer for laptop users.

[mlauzon]

Well, I signed up for the Free version, will download it to my laptop later -- I am on my desktop -- I may pay for the Pro version, as it's only usD$54 (CAD$54) for a year, and you get a lot more features.

[Pedrito]

Yes, Prey is a good application in case your laptop gets stolen. But encrypting the files and making backups before, is also a good idea. :)

[mlauzon]

I don't carry important files on my laptop, I just use it for surfing the Web, watching movies, etc. when I decide to go out of the city for the day, then I bring my laptop with me.

I installed Prey for my Samsung Galaxy Nexus.

[mlauzon]

Can we get back on the original topic: TrueCrypt?

[majithia23]

TrueCrypt ---

-- Local Encryption / Segmental Encryption / Part Encryption .

-- Total System Encryption .

So , why do you need encryption in the first place ?

Traveling and you suspect someone might steal your laptop !

Then in that case , the members have guided you to the right app -- Prey .

It will help you track your lost machine .

Supplement it with a strong Account password and you should be good to go .

TrueCrypt encryption ( ..... and i expect it to be for the whole drive . segmental or local folder level does not even make sense ) , just for traveling purposes !

Well , thats justified if you are a drug dealer , a pedophile , a hitman , a terrorist , a mercenary , a big corporate hunch , a governor or the president !

Or for that reason if there is anything on which your life depended that you would not want anyone to know !

[mlauzon]

I'm not any of those things, however, I don't trust others easily, so I take precautions.

For example, I plan on putting a keylogger on my desktop computer, because last time I went out of town for a week, I had my friend come over daily to feed my dogs, and he downloaded some pretty nasty stuff, nothing illegal, but still.

[ffi]

I finally got a passport for the first time in my life -- I'm almost 40 -- and I plan on taking my first trip across the border in 23 years, back then you didn't need a passport.

So, my questions are:

Should I encrypt my laptop hard drives (there are 2 seperate ones), before I go?

And, is there any other security/privacy software that you'd recommend, besides the usual ones?

I don't use it but the more people use encryption the better I guess, it will make it much harder for governments to accuse innocent people who like their privacy of wrong doings because they encrypt their hard drive if everyone is doing it.