Compatible s/w for encrypting files on PC used to backup T42

[teepee]

Hi

I intend to use an old PC as the backup and photo storage destination for my T42 HDD (only got a 40Gb HDD so it can't really take many 7Mb+ photo files once all the other stuff is on there). I also want to secure the data on both my T42 and the backup PC (an old PIII-450 with 512Mb RAM). So ....

My T42 has the security chip etc and I will "enable" the features this provides next week. I've spent a couple of hours reading through the forum posts and, frankly, am confused about security and encryption on the T42 itself, let alone on another PC. Users seem to be suggesting that the T42 security system itself is insufficent and that further s/w is required, with Ultimaco, Pointsec, Privatedisk, Truecrypt, Gnu Privacy Guard, and PGP being mentioned. Is this all correct please? And, if it is, are all of these acceptable please? I would prefer to go with Truecrypt, given the "low" cost .

Onto the backup PC ...

I would be using this old PC also as a web server. And I would want to backup only files to the backup PC, not a complete T42 image (this would be covered with R&R). So:
a) would the T42 security system on its own cause problems for the backup PC please?
b) would any encryption s/w on the backup PC cause problems for the T42 if the T42 was not running the same s/w please?
c) would running the T42 security system on the T42, and a specific additional s/w package on both the T42 and the backup PC cause any problems please?

Sorry for the length and complexity of this post.

Anyway, I appreciate any and all advice .

Many thanks!

[christopher_wolf]

I have used PGP and various other forms of encryption, but I think, for an on-board solution, the security system on the T43/T42 should be sufficient for most people. Those programs shouldn't cause a conflict with the T42's Encryption system...At least, not from what I have experienced. I don't know what you mean in questions b and c; you have to have two systems running the same crypto software (or at least have the same key/ticket/principal/algorithm/passphrase that the other system is using) on both machines if you want to encrypt/decrypt files, send them back and forth, then decrypt/encrypt them. If you encrypt a file on the T42, then send it over to the PC, I am pretty sure you will not be able to unencrypt it at all.

[teepee]

Many thanks christopher_wolf. I think this clears things up for me. From what I understand, you are saying that if I want to be able to encrypt, open and read the same file on 2 different machines they must be running the same encryption software. Is that correct please?

I have never used encryption software before so had thought that, if I had a machine (A) running encryption software (a), any copying or backup to a different drive would decrypt the files being copied/backed-up in the process. And I could then re-encrypt the files on the second machine (B) if I wished, and do so with a different encryption package if I wished.

Basically, I want my files to be safe and secure. The backup to the 2nd PC, plus regular optical backups, will cover the safety, and I guess I need to obtain a 2 machine encryption package to cover the lsecurity.

All the best!