If the image backup files are encrypted, only you will be able to access them or restore the data. These encrypted image files can be stored off site (on DVDs if there isn't too much data, or a portable hard drive for larger amounts). I don't know how much data you will have in your encrypted partition, but for backup purposes, you can create encrypted image files using software like that in the links below (or Acronis or other similar software). I'm doing something that I will be committing to for the next few years, and it could result in data loss if something goes awry, so I wanted to check here to make sure I wasn't missing something. Even those that read this and didn't respond told me they didn't feel strongly about the subject, which is just another way of saying there's no controversy here. So, keep my recovery key safe, do the data backup thing, and I should be OK with Bitlocker, AFAIK. It's important to know in what year they formed the opinion they're sharing, especially with Bitlocker and Veracrypt, where things have changed a lot in the past couple years. BTW, WRT AskLeo's page, I REALLY wish ppl would prominently date their articles. He suggests I simply keep a safe copy of the recovery key. I'm just password protecting the partition, no fancy USB keys. I went to AskLeo's page and followed the link he updated his post with. I've read the LifeHacker article(closing on 18 months old at this point), but didn't see the AskLeo page. This is exactly the sort of thing I was looking for, thanks. It's hard to get some people to read EVERYTHING you write, even when the details are important. I wonder if my friend even read my post properly, or if he thinks you HAVE to encrypt your entire operating system or something. Anyone here have any experience or opinions on the safety (in the 'not losing my data forever' sense) of using Bitlocker on a data partition of a drive?īear in mind I'm not encrypting my whole system, just a data-storage partition on one of my drives. It's always recommended right alongside Veracrypt and Truecrypt. I did some googles, and no one is out there warning people off of Bitlocker, not that I've seen, anyway. I never messed with a 'hash' in Truecrypt or VeraCrypt either. I just type in a password, and Bitlocker works. He made some cryptic comment about not losing my 'hash', or I'd be screwed. My friend, who is very knowledgeable about computer matters usually, but whom I now suspect hasn't looked seriously at encryption methods in a few years, adamantly told me I shouldn't use it, but got pissy and wouldn't say why. I've already set up a partition and been testing it, and I like it. Veracrypt is forcing me into encryption overkill. It's too long for me when it WORKS, for that matter. 30 seconds to see, 'incorrect password' is too long. They don't need to be doing things for me and run across stuff that will upset them, even if I don't think it should. I'm not encrypting out of distrust of them, I'm simply trying to respect their bible-belt positions on carnal matters. I'm in the hospital from time to time, and they may need access to certain things on my computer. There's no great secrets, no treasure, just some run-of-the-mill mainstream porn that I'm tucking away out of courtesy to them. The thing is, I don't NEED to keep the NSA out, just curious/fumbling members of my extended family. Apparently the programmers stress security above all and won't let the users make it less secure, but faster. I tried Veracrypt, and I liked it - except it took about 30 seconds to mount an encrypted drive - or to tell me I mis-typed the password. I'm thinking it's time to move on, for safely's sake. It's already 3 years since Truecrypt has been abandoned, and I worry that one day a Windows update will break it. I'm switching out a 6-year-old HDD, and rethinking my encryption. I used to use TrueCrypt to protect a data drive partition. Windows Encryption Showdown: VeraCrypt vs Bitlocker
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |