Windows Secrets

Subscribers: Sign in | Join

Skip to content
  • Home
  • In Brief
  • Newsletters
    • Current
    • LangaList Plus
    • Patch Watch
    • Wacky Web Week
    • Security Baseline
    • Ultimate Utilities List
  • E-Books
  • Lounge
  • About us
    • Refunds
    • Privacy Policy
    • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise
  • Your Account
    • Upgrade
    • Preferences
    • Bonus Download
    • Unsubscribe
  • FAQ
Windows Secrets > On Security > Ways to encrypt sensitive data in Windows

Ways to encrypt sensitive data in Windows

Tweet
Lincoln Spector
By Lincoln Spector on June 11, 2015 in On Security

We all have something to hide. No, not those embarrassing party photos; I’m talking about sensitive documents such as medical records, financial statements, work files, and so forth. (Okay, and maybe those embarrassing photos, too.)

Encryption is the best way to protect important data from those who might do us harm. Here’s a rundown of encryption options.

If you think that your Windows sign-in password is going to protect you from data thieves, you’re sadly mistaken. In most cases, it’s relatively easy to read what’s on a hard drive that’s been stolen or compromised by malware — especially if your primary system is a notebook or some other mobile device.

Theft aside, our privacy is at stake. Who doesn’t have information that we’d just rather not reveal to co-workers, friends, or family members? And it’s not just the primary files on our hard drive we need to worry about. Protecting our data extends to backups and cloud storage.

Encryption is the only way to truly secure sensitive personal and work files. At the bare minimum, you should encrypt anything that might prove useful to identity thieves. Files that contain your bank-account number, credit-card number, social-security number, and similar information need to be encrypted. Whatever else you want kept secret is up to you — or possibly up to the people who pay you.

I’m going to discuss four approaches to encryption and suggest software for each.

Note: Encryption can protect you only if you use a secure password. Make sure your passwords are long and difficult to guess. And don’t lose your password — or all your secure data will be permanently secure from you, too.

Tools for encrypting a small number of files



This article is part of our premium content. Join Now.

Already a paid subscriber? Click here to login.

= Paid content

All Windows Secrets articles posted on 2015-06-11:

  • Top Story Free first aid for a wide range of Windows ills
  • Lounge Life Protecting passwords on multiple devices
  • Wacky Web Week Versatile Finnish cover band also plays hockey
  • LangaList Plus What to do when Windows Update fails
  • On Security Ways to encrypt sensitive data in Windows
  • Patch Watch No summer break from MS Office updates
  •  Show all articles on a single page
Lincoln Spector

About Lincoln Spector

Lincoln Spector writes about computers, home theater, and film and maintains two blogs: Answer Line at PCWorld.com and Bayflicks.net. His articles have appeared in CNET, InfoWorld, The New York Times, The Washington Post, and other publications.
View all posts by Lincoln Spector →
The Complete LangaList Plus 2014, Part 2

NEW! * Premium Collection *

This second volume includes all columns published from July through December, in chronological order. At the end of the ebook, you’ll find a table listing stories sorted by topic.

Security Collection

  • LangaList Plus
  • Premium Collection
See the e-book series
Connect with us Follow us on Twitter Connect with us on Facebook Connect with us on Google+ View our RSS Feeds
  • Home|
  • Newsletter|
  • About Us|
  • Contact Us|
  • Advertise|
  • Unsubscribe|
  • FAQ|
  • Sitemap|
Trademarks: Microsoft and Windows are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. The Windows Secrets series of books is published by Wiley Publishing Inc. The Windows Secrets Newsletter, WindowsSecrets.com, WinFind, Windows Gizmos, Security Baseline, Patch Watch, Perimeter Scan, Wacky Web Week, the Logo Design (W, S or road, and Star), and the slogan Everything Microsoft Forgot to Mention all are trademarks and service marks of iNET Interactive. All other marks are the trademarks or service marks of their respective owners.
Hosting and Cloud
  • Web Hosting Talk
  • HostingCon
  • WHIR
  • Hosting Catalog
  • Hottest Hosts
Data Centers
  • Data Center Knowledge
  • Data Center World
  • AFCOM
Web Development
  • Hot Scripts
  • DB Forums
Performance Marketing
  • ABestWeb
Consumer Tech
  • Windows Secrets
  • Overclockers
  • Mac Forums
Informa
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Services
  • Advertise
Hosting By:
LiquidWeb
Powered by Penton
Copyright © Penton
This website uses cookies, including third party ones, to allow for analysis of how people use our website in order to improve your experience and our services. By continuing to use our website, you agree to the use of such cookies. Click here for more information on our Cookie Policy and Privacy Policy.
X