How do i use the encryption functions of client security?

[jones]

in the online help of my thinkpad i read "IBM File and Folder Encryption, to protect the important files on your hard disk drive."

but how do i use these functions. i would like to encrypt several folders or the whole hard disk...

Client Security Solution is installed an i use my fingerprint to authenticate my access but i dont see any functions i mentioned above..

a hint only, please

greets

jones

[mattster]

Well, that would depend on what version of Client Security you have installed. Do you know what is currently on the system?

The current version available now is better than what came pre-installed on the system (if anything). Here is a link:

http://www-306.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... MIGR-46391

It should include Utimaco Private Disk software, which is much more functional and better supported than the IBM File and Folder encryption software ever was.

Matt

[jones]

i use "system update" to keep the ibm software up to date. does "system update" install the mentioned software or do i have to do it on my on (link)?

[mattster]

Which System Update are you referring to? Is it the ThinkVantage System Update program? If so, that may or may not upgrade you to this version.

Let me know if that is what you have ....

Matt

i use "system update" to keep the ibm software up to date. does "system update" install the mentioned software or do i have to do it on my on (link)?

[dorin]

matt, would you pls tell me why is better to use Utimaco Private Disk software?!

i mean i tried it, first of all it didnt used (although i said location of archive) old keys - so no access to the already encrypted files, and i must say isnt better when you dont have a particular space alocated for encrypted? like default 100mb?

with older version i just encrypte there and there, from 5k to 5gb and restore in 2 days. i mean i coulndt see the advantage of Utimaco Private Disk software so pls i want to see your point of view to see where i am wrong.

thanks

[seneca]

Forget about Client Security software, use the encryption in the BIOS instead!
It'll encrypt the _entire_ harddrive transparently and make it unusable to any thief if you set a password on everything in the bios... Just don't forget your password!

[christopher_wolf]

Forget about Client Security software, use the encryption in the BIOS instead!
It'll encrypt the _entire_ harddrive transparently and make it unusable to any thief if you set a password on everything in the bios... Just don't forget your password!

Hitting the nail on the head in terms of a solution. With a very, very large pneumatic hammer made out of titantium.

[kingofthehill3]

@seneca: I don't think that BIOS functions can transparently encrypt the harddisk. As far as I know it only enables the passwort protection in the harddisk, which is indeed quite hard to bypass without professional help. But a data-recovery service can easily recover the unencrypted data.

Correct me if I'm wrong

[seneca]

kingofthehill3: Actually, since I haven't got an adapter to test that in another computer, I can't confirm my statements.

But a harddrive password is very hard to bypass, and works very good as a protection against thiefs/crackers. However, the BIOS might not _encrypt_ the data written to the hdd (since it takes alot of cpu to do that), it might however magle the data with a random seed taken from bios, making it only readable from the computer that the password was set. Virtually no overhead...

Only a theory though...