Has anone ever tried an encryption product on thier computer? I 'found' one called KremlinEncrypt. The little bit I've read about it sounds interesting. Would it be worth it? I have my firewall and two scan tools one for viruses and one for spyware. But sometimes a person feels like they could use more.

 

Are you running Windows XP? It has encryption built in as an option, at least for professional edition. The encryption ties in to your user account so if you have a seperate account from other people on the computer you can access the encrypted files and they cannot.

 

Encryption of what?

IM's goes out in clear-text. Unless you send email to another person with the same encryption (or compatible) you can't send them encrypted email.

Web sites? Unless the web site is an https:// URL, it's not encrypted, and no encryption product will do it for you.

Local files like Excel, or passwords or something like that? IF you are invaded by spyware or a trojan horse, whatever the encryption program does, when you work on the file, open it or whatever, that data is available on the computer (on disk or in RAM) as unencrypted information and the trojan/spyware can pick that up.

I am a computer consultant, and have dealt with security issues, both Internet and other networks, for the last 20 years. These "encryption" products are basically useless, unless you want to protect yourself from the wife's or kid's prying eyes, or you have a friend/associate that has the same encryption.

 

Good point, I'm also in the field and when I saw encryption I just (wrongfully) assumed file encryption. And yes, file encryption is only going to keep other people out of your files. And a note to that even - if using XP encryption an administrator on the machine can take over the encrypted file and access it. One thing I like to use for file encryption is a fingerprint reader. The file can only be decrypted by use of your fingerprint on the scanner, or as a backup with a password that you set when you encrypt it (in case the scaner breaks).

 

Good advice, much appreciated. One point made in their ad was their product could keep Unka Sam's prying eyes out. Not that I'm hiding anything, I was curious from the stand point of viruses and spyware. I hate buying anything off of the 'net 'cause of how much you hear about identity theft. My retirement site has https which makes me feel better but you always wonder in the back of your mind.

 

Kremlin was a product that was really designed for the older operating systems like windows 95, 98... It allows you to basically zip a few files together and protect them with a password. Don't worry, it can be cracked, they are just trying to make it better than it seems. If you want to protect a few files, just download winzip, put them in an archive, and set a password. That is all kremlin offers you really. Just my two cents on that topic though.

 

Unless you're flagged by visiting sites that are monitored, trying to obtain information that falls into a flagged category, are or have been a government employee with access to restricted information, among other qualifiers, the government doesn't care about you. In other words, if your just a citizen, why worry about what the government is watching you do?

 

I shouldn't get further into this politically, but I'll say this: The Patriot Act, and even before that, they can watch for "trends" ... and label you a terrorist or somesuch and have your house searched WITHOUT YOUR KNOWLEDGE, etc. etc. Plenty more examples of where people did a certain thing, it got listened in on, and they were in trouble or at least inconvenienced while being checked out.

I too, really don't care about it, but it is a valid concern for people more paranoid than me.

I also agree with law enforcement being able to crack my encrypted files through a back door. Unless you're breaking the law, there's no reason to care However, privacy-wise, it bothers me.

 

It is not what the Feds do that I'm overly worried about as far as I'm concerned. But there is state government, business' and of course hackers. I had a couple of hits on my system before. One I had to do a restore, XP. Now I have XP's firewall tightened up, AVG and Spybot S&D. I don't know alot about this stuff so I read and catch things on forums which help. Right now with places doing backgrounds, credit checks(to even get Drs sometimes let alone insurance) Retailers going with RFIDs I just like to have as much protection as I can. I wasn't to keen on the ' encrypt your e-mails' as the other person has to have the software and code to unlock it. I'm just trying to not get hacked or have anyone steal my identity or screwup my records. Just bugs a person thinking that when you're on the net you're leaving a trail. Wish there was some way to keep places from having a file on you without your premission ie Walmart. They are going down the RFID road and will have a record of your visits and purchasing preferences. That is my business not theirs. Of course the chances of having a law enacted that prevents that is nil, since they(business' in general) have way to much money to throw at lobbying.

 

The best way to isolate yourself is with a REAL firewall, a separate appliance. Be it LInksys, Netgear, etc, it's always best to have a real piece of hardware between you and the Internet. If you're using Broadband, that is.

If you're using dialup, the software firewall is your best approach. You can buy modem routers, but it's a pain...

As to privacy, I think you have a good point - but I also think the next time Senator Joe Blow or Congressman Jane Doe gets their private info out there, there's going to be better privacy laws. It just happened recently too, the possibility of big-cheese social security numbers getting out... never heard anything more ...

 

Thanks for the info. Netgear looks good. I'm betting my Motorola cable modem won't protect me. We have a Best Buy Electronics store in Sioux Falls next time I get down there I'll know what to look for.