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General discussion

How do you secure sensitive data on your computer?

Sep 8, 2005 3:03AM PDT

How do you secure sensitive data on your computer?

Use removable storage, such as memory cards or hard drives (what kind?)
Put it on CD-R/DVD-R and lock them in a safe place (where?)
Password-protect each file (tell us more)
Require a password to access the computer (tell us more)
I do not store sensitive data on my computer (why not?)
Other (what method do you use?)

Discussion is locked

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I do not store sensitive data !?
Sep 8, 2005 9:32PM PDT

I am not surprised that 25% say they don't store sensitive data, it goes to show that most of us do not know what 'sensitive data' is.

Do you do any banking on your PC? Do you type passwords in Web sites? Do your taxes, type credit card #s, addresses, names, addresses. Even if complete information is not recoverable, pieces of information on your computer can easily be combined with other known info or with a bit of research and presto.

Your PC is loaded with temporary files, even deleted files can be recovered. Don't be so sure someone can't get to that stuff given the right access.

Can we say ID Theft?

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Can we say paranoia?
Sep 9, 2005 8:12AM PDT

No one should care about computer security because all computers are vulnerable. So trying to secure it is pointless.

The simple fact that most people don't have enough assets or credit to get a lot of problems from ID theft.

Besides the fact no system is secure, the sheer number of people online protects you. If you think about who is targeted for money its going to be businesses, whom may not notice $50K is missing for months.

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You're scaring me!
Sep 9, 2005 2:08PM PDT

I don't store any financial passwords (web-trading account, bank account, credit card account, etc.) on the computer. I don't let windows remember any of my passwords for auto-fill. But I do bank, trade, and buy on line, which involves manually entering a password a couple of times a week. I keep a close watch on background processes and I'm pretty sure there's no spyware on my machine (I use two anti-spyware scanners). I use a firewall. I would consider myself the quintessential "Does not store sensitive data" guy. So do you still think I'm at risk? I'd appreciate some discussion, from you or any of the other readers, about the ways I can be hacked, and the odds of it happening.
I'd also like to hear from anyone who was similarly careful (or sloppy?) and still got his identity stolen.
Also, I've been wondering if it would be safe to use Roboform to store and autofill those passwords. Is there anyone out there who used Roboform and got burned?

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That's right buddy, no sensitive data!!!
Sep 9, 2005 10:04PM PDT

Oh god!! Someone can recover my deleted files??? I dread the thought of someone digging up all those desktop icons I threw in the trash and all those shrunken emailed jpg's which are in the pics folder in the My Documents folder. My banking page is coded so that windows can't remember the password for me. Why would I want to erase my browsing history? I want to see where I was last week quite often. Do I care if someone finds out I read the review of the latest digital camera or shopped online at Staples? In addition, I only type passwords on web pages because they require it for access, and I always have windows remember it becasue the information is not sensitive even in the broadest sense of the word. My name, address and social security number are not on my pc so identity theft is not an issue for me there. And I keep my addresses the old fashioned way, in a little black book that requires no batteries or backup. I think people are overly paranoid about "sensitive information". If you're really concerned about security don't store it on your PC!!

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Semi- sensitive info?
Sep 12, 2005 7:02PM PDT

I pretty much use my PC only for photo editing. I refuse to do banking or check credit card info online, and I don't even store my account #'s or access #'s.
I, too, keep addresses the good old fashion way, in an address book. The only address's I have stored on my PC are email address's. There is one way hackers and identity thieves could get me. I occasionally buy products online using a credit card and Pay Pal. But I only have one credit card, (I refuse to have more), and I check that balance, (by phone), quite regularly.
Also, I refuse to have a high credit limit.
I don't like buying on credit, though it's needed occasionally. I prefer to use cash and have the transaction done with.

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I use a product my company designed for that very purpose
Sep 8, 2005 9:42PM PDT

I use PentaSuite-PRO to do all the things I think are needed to protect sensitive information. Using its command line feature i have created a batch application that:
a) Selects the files and directories I want to make sure get saved
b) Then a ZIP archive gets made using the files just selected
c) Then the new ZIP archive gets protected using PGP making a ZIP.PGP file
d) Then the ZIP.PGP file gets copied to a DVD
e) Then an email gets sent to me informing me when the whole thing is done (useful if I am working at a different computer).
This works very well on our servers too.

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Encryption is my solution
Sep 8, 2005 9:47PM PDT

My hard disk is encrypted, and I have an additional special application for strongly encrypted storage of passwords and stuff on my computer and PDA. I expect that should do the trick for now.

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Universal Shield 4.0
Sep 8, 2005 10:10PM PDT

I use Universal Shield 4.0 which allows me to lock/hide/encrypt any folder, file or hard drive.

Its the best program i have used. Just hide the sensitive folders and knowone even knows they exist.

http://www.everstrike.com/shield.htm

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Stay away from Universal Shield
Jan 31, 2006 9:58AM PST

This is a very mediocre program sold by a very dishonest company. Stay away. After dealing with this company, I felt it was necessary to cancel my credit card number to protect myself. Their program is not as easy to use as others and lacks important features. But worse, the company is dishonest.

I had downloaded and paid for their program because the splash screen on the evaluation version states the following:

"It's 100% risk free to buy Universal Shield! Test it for 30 days. Should
you have any problems or are not satisfied for any reason, contact us and we
will provide you with a refund."

I was not satisfied because the program does not protect files on remote drives (unlike some of their rivals). When I
requested (within 1 day of buying the program) the 30 day money back guarantee, the company first told me that they did not offer the guarantee. When I quoted the statement from their splash screen, they just outright refused to honor the money-back guarantee. I have never before seen a company do this.

I then noticed that the web site to which I had provided my credit card number when I purchased their program was not really a third-party site. So, this dishonest company probably had my credit card number. That's why I cancelled my card after dealing with them.

Would you want a company who will lie and sacrifice their business reputation for $34.95 to install security software on your computer or network?

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Securing data
Sep 8, 2005 10:30PM PDT

I use multiple passwords - one to log into the PC, one to open the document etc.

Sometimes I will zip a bunch of stuff and password protect the Zipfile.

I never use saved passwords on anything I care to keep to myself, like accessing my bank's web site.

As regards long term security of data against loss - I am about to make my home PC a RAID 1 array so I am protected against drive failure. I also have a removable USB drive which I use to store my "Files and Settings Transfer" once in a while.

This week the drive on my work PC failed. all my important stuff is on a network File Server but I still lost my MS Office templates and Internet Explorer Favourites as I neglected to back them up.

Now and again I zip up the documents of the file server and email the zipfile to myself at home.

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Internet explorer?!?
Sep 9, 2005 1:12AM PDT

This is a talk about security with your files -- Internet explorer does not even belong in the same sentence. You might try Chipmark so you don't lose your bookmarks... it can be set public or private with passwords. It works in Firefox and Internet Explorer (for those of you that work for backwards companies who just don't get it)
I tend to prefer the whole security thru obscurity method. There are countless little tricks you can employ.

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Excessive punctuation?!?
Sep 9, 2005 8:14AM PDT

is not necessary. Hence the name excessive.

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Secure Sensitive Data
Sep 8, 2005 10:41PM PDT

I use two different security methods.
1- use a password

2- a fingerprint reader

And if I really want to get secure, my fingerprint reader on my personal files and programs.
That makes it a little hard to open them without my pinky on display. It Works For me.

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I'm not THAT crazy!
Sep 8, 2005 10:47PM PDT

Anyone who saves sensitive data on their computer running Windows is just plain ASKING for trouble... there's nothing you can do with Windows that Hackers can't (and have) overcome - Better to stick with a MAC.

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I guess I am THAT crazy!!
Sep 21, 2005 8:00AM PDT

I have no problem using Internet Explorer and have RoboForm that saves all my password and other information for me so that I just click a button and all my information is filled in. I pay my utilities, except Water-cause they're behind the times-and I can't pay it by computer, do what little banking I have online. I am not worried in the least because I know that my computer is tight when it comes to security and nothing can come in and take a peek unless I give it permission-And I don't do that. If you are that worried about your computer get a typewriter and then they'll be nothing to be paranoid about. I don't understand those who have a computer and don't know how to secure it so that you are still living in the dark ages. Just my opinion, of course, but gosh the gas alone these days is well worth my doing my banking online now.

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Use Windows
Sep 8, 2005 11:03PM PDT

I use Windows for sensitive files because it won't run long enough for anyone to bet into.

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I Deslock it
Sep 9, 2005 12:00AM PDT

I use Deslock from Data Encryption Systems. It allows you to encrypt folders or areas of your disk or even individual files.
Once you are done with the data you can also securely delete it thru their shredder.
Best of all its free for non-commercial use!

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I tried to Deslock it
Sep 9, 2005 8:06AM PDT

Acting on your post I downloaded DESlock and installed it. Subsequently my laptop blue-screened every time I tried to restart it after the installation. I was able to recover by using Windows restore back to a point before installing Deslock.

Needless to say I won't be using this software.

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DESock disaster
Nov 4, 2006 10:26PM PST

Although I see this comment was made in 2005, I also downloaded DESlock. It seemed to work fine at first, although I only used the shredding facility, but after I closed the computer down, when it restarted the right click menu facility caused crashes each time. I did a system restore and the problem was gone.

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DESLock in the Dictionary = DISaster!
Oct 26, 2011 1:50AM PDT

And although I see ALL these comments were made WAY back in the fairly early 2000's, I recently downloaded DESLock for my USB drive. Not only wouldn't it install properly, I couldn't UNINSTALL the files that it HAD put on my system!

I went into REGEDIT and manually removed files, but one rotten file, the desktop icon remains. Every time I click it, I'm offered an opportunity to create a shortcut, but cannot delete it.

Too bad CNET still pushes this dog of a program. I wonder if the receive a commission for every download?

Thanks for nuthin' CNET!

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Removable Storage
Sep 9, 2005 12:27AM PDT

I prefer to back up my data on ZIP disks.Not many people have a ZIP drive in their computers so the chances of a disk being stolen and used are reduced.

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I back up my material on Zip disks
Sep 9, 2005 4:48AM PDT

With a Zip disk, you can either Write Protect it with a password or you can Read Write Protect. With the latter you have to be darn sure that you won't forget the password because if you forget it, you can never read what is on the disk. It never fails to work.

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RE: Password-Protecting Files and Folders
Sep 9, 2005 2:35AM PDT

I password encrypt my laptop hard drive "and" password encrypt my sensitive folders. I only password encrypt my sensitive folders on my desktop. My biggest problem remaining is to delete my recent history to maintain that protection.

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Password Protect Files
Sep 9, 2005 4:30AM PDT

Depending on how well you want to protect them, I just encrypt them and it requires a password to unencrypt them or to view them.

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password protect files
Sep 9, 2005 10:34AM PDT

how do you encrypt your files and do a password to protect your sensitive files? i am new to this procedure and need help. is it difficult to do? or is there an easier way? i am working with windows xp and i have internet explorer but i would like to stick with windows xp 2000.

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best way to secure my personal stuff
Sep 9, 2005 7:39AM PDT
Wink

I use Linux

Store the Data on a raid-1 array that took foever to setup.

windows is to expensive for someone like me that would rather spend my little peanut wages on other things then to try to secure my windows based PC.

someday I will be able to play my games on my linux box, but for now it is my file server.

Wink Grin
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I am most confident with Linux
Sep 10, 2005 6:28AM PDT

I use Linux because I am more confident in it's security than Windows, encryption, hidden folders, backing up to CDs is just gravy.

I recommend to everyone they at least check out Linux. It is easy to configure your PC to duel boot with windows and Linux. If it is not for you just get rid of it.

I personally recommend SUSE Linux distro,

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Secure drives
Sep 9, 2005 10:59AM PDT

I use a program called Steganos Security Suite. It can create secure drives (password required) on the HD.

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Use removable hard drive
Sep 9, 2005 11:08AM PDT

I use a removable hard drive for fast backups. It can be removed for securing. For long term backup, I use CD-R or DVD-R.

If I had something that required more security, (nothing really ultra top secret yet!) I'd use an encrypting archive program, thus not only hiding the files, but also hiding file names and even how many files were archived and encrypted.

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Protecting files/info
Sep 9, 2005 2:22PM PDT

Isn't there anybody out there besides me who doesn't do anything extra? I save back-up copies, sure. But that doesn't protect the info. I work under the assumption that my whole computer is sensitive and have lots of system security.