I previously reported that I had become a contributing writer on Suite 101. For my first article, I decided to summarize some of the Best Free Encryption options available for computer users. I covered the pros and cons of Encrypting File System (EFS), TrueCrypt, and GnuPG. Here’s the quick rundown:
- EFS: OK for Windows users who aren’t using a home / basic edition of Windows. Can’t encrypt on removable devices.
- TrueCrypt: Good for encrypting not only sections of the hard drive (or entire partitions), but also removable media like thumb drives, CDs, etc. Encrypted emails possible, but not ideal.
- GnuPG: Best for end-to-end encryption of data at rest and in transit (via email or IM). Most complex to set up, but messages can only be decrypted and read by the intended recipient.
For download links and full details, please check out the entire article.
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Christopher Spence 09.15.09 at 6:10 pm
We are a big fan of TrueCrypt, as you mentioned it isn’t a good choice for email but it is great for removable devices and even full systems.
Many versions of EFS can be broken fairly quickly and I would be wary of using it for anything important.
Great detailed article you referred to.