Use encryption
Encrypt important information for extra security
Encrypting email and files means that only authorised users are allowed to access them. This can be a powerful guarantee of privacy and security.
What is encryption?
Encryption means converting information using a code that prevents it being understood by anyone who isn’t authorised to read it. Files, emails, even whole hard disks can be encrypted.
When emails are encrypted you get the additional benefit of being able to validate who sent the message and check that it hasn’t been tampered with en route.
Encryption is also used for ecommerce, wireless networking security and remote access to prevent eavesdropping and spoofing.
There are lots of different techniques for encryption. The stronger the encryption the harder it is for a hacker to decrypt the code using a computer. The strongest codes are, for all intents and purposes, unbreakable but simpler kinds of encryption can be broken using a regular PC with the right tools. As a general rule the more bits used for the encryption the stronger it will be, so 128-bit encryption is stronger than 64-bit.
How to use encryption
Implementing encrypted email or encrypted files will take a little time and can be technically demanding. Commercial products are available with extensive technical support and easy-to-use interfaces. Open source products tend to be more demanding but free. However, for information that needs to be kept completely secure, encryption is the only way to go.
Encrypt emails
Lots of products allow you to encrypt emails. These range from enterprise-scale public key infrastructure systems suitable for a multinational down to a secure webmail system for individuals. Choosing the right product depends on your personal circumstances. Here are some options.
The following commercial products provide encrypted, authenticated email using standalone mail programs such as Microsoft Outlook.
Alternatively, there are products, such as SecureComs Secure-mail, that automatically encrypt all external email between people who use them. For more encryption products see DMOZ.Encrypt Files
Some operating systems include built-in support for file encryption (for example Microsoft Windows Vista's BitLocker). For more specific encryption tasks or for older operating systems, it may be easier to invest in a piece of software that will encrypt a given file or directory or create an encrypted archive. Examples of such software include:
More information
- GNUPG: open-source encryption.
- The International PGP Home Page.
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