Windows Vista Forums

Encryption and passwords
  1. #1


    FPS Guest

    Encryption and passwords

    I have password protected my thumb drive. I was advised to encrypt those
    files for complete safety -- and I did.

    However, to access the encrypted files, I need to enter a password. Now, I
    have 2 passwords -- one for the thumb drive and one for the encrypted vault.



    Can someone please explain why the encryption is "safer" when those files
    can be accessed with a password and the thumb drive itself is password
    protected, too?



      My System SpecsSystem Spec

  2. #2
    solonfox's Avatar

    Member
    Join Date : Jun 2008
    Posts : 45
    Vista Ultimate 32bit
    Local Time: 06:30 AM
    usa

     

    Re: Encryption and passwords

    Even lacking a password, it is possible, though only for someone who has the technical knowledge to access the raw data and defeat the password. If the data is encrypted, then the raw data will be more difficult to read - one would have to break the cryptogram to unencrypt the data. Basically, it's just really, really hard.

    In protecting your data, one should first consider, what is my data worth? If your data has a value, then you should protect it. Chances are you have gone a bit overboard. Yet, USB drives are easily lost.

      My System SpecsSystem Spec

  3. #3


    FPS Guest

    Re: Encryption and passwords

    thank you for your reply and your promptness. Basically, you've confirmed
    that someone can work around or bypass the passwords and still be thwarted by
    the encrypted files. Aha!!

    "solonfox" wrote:

    >
    > Even lacking a password, it is possible, though only for someone who has
    > the technical knowledge to access the raw data and defeat the password.
    > If the data is encrypted, then the raw data will be more difficult to
    > read - one would have to break the cryptogram to unencrypt the data.
    > Basically, it's just really, really hard.
    >
    > In protecting your data, one should first consider, what is my data
    > worth? If your data has a value, then you should protect it. Chances are
    > you have gone a bit overboard. Yet, USB drives are easily lost.
    >
    >
    > --
    > solonfox
    >
    > -solon fox
    > "Ancora imparo" (Still I am learning) - Michelangelo
    >

      My System SpecsSystem Spec

Encryption and passwords problems?

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
encryption amy System Security 1 09 Jul 2008
psk encryption vambo Vista networking & sharing 4 25 Feb 2008
Encryption Lars-Christian Sinkbęk Vista mail 1 17 Oct 2007
How Robust Is The Encryption Model In BitLocker Drive Encryption D. Spencer Hines Vista General 3 06 Mar 2007
NTLM Passwords Linux NAS passwords SteveK Vista networking & sharing 5 02 Feb 2007