Why You Need Truecrypt on Your Desktops Too
Not all computers will go through airports or traveling to client locations in your car. So why do you need to encrypt some of the data on desktop systems?
Tech Support
At some point, tech support will be needed for every computer. Unless you are or have access to a computer nerd, a tech support call will be involved. If you are a retail user, you’ll take your non-working system into a big box electronics retainer or computer store and leave it there a few days or more to be worked on. During that time, all your media and any interesting files (spreadsheets, financial data, programs) will be copied off by the minimum wage techs.
Which files? Quicken files, emails, EI browsing history, games, high cost programs, and all audio and video files will all be available to and copied by the tech. Also passwords, PKI keys, and any certificates will be copied. Expect that this copying happens and plan for it.
Wouldn’t you rather have those files encrypted inside a volume that is password protected so nobody gains access to them? The bad news is you need to set this up before there’s an issue, since after the issue happens, you PC probably can’t be used.
House Guests
We all have guests in our homes and the first thing my guest expect is the ability to check their email and blogs. Some bring their own PCs, but family members usually don’t bring any since there are many computers all around here.
Internal IT Support
If you are an executive in your company or temporarily store sensitive data on your work PC, you also need truecrypt. I’ve seen all stock option grants for an entire company stored on a network shared disk, unencrypted. At least this data was put someplace that got backed up, unlike desktops, but sensitive data needs to have additional protection.
Summary
Your mother was right. Better safe than sorry. Think about the sensitive data you have on your PC. Think carefully, since most people will say I don’t any anything important on my PC. How would you or your company feel if that data was on the front page of the New York Times? That is what is at risk.
