What is encryption?
Encryption scrambles a message or file so only the sender and the authorized individual with the decryption key can decode it. Encryption solutions generally encompass two types: hardware and software.Examples of hardware encryption include a pre-encrypted USB device or hard drive; software encryption consists of a program installed on a machine that encrypts some or all of the data on the system.
In this article i will discuss about how, when and where encryption should be implemented in order to enhance security and data protection:
It is important to realize that email and IM messages pass through numerous servers and routers before reaching their final destination. Standard email messages are sent in plain text, so it's possible for someone else to snoop and read them.
When you encrypt mail, on the other hand, it makes the messages completely unreadable to anyone who doesn't possess a decryption key. There are several ways to encrypt email.
The simplest way is to use extra software that plugs into your existing email client. Confidential or sensitive data should not be sent via email in clear text.
Laptop protection:
If your laptop gets stolen then a person possessing it can gain access to bank accounts, mobile phones, internal networks, and other sensitive information.
To prevent this we can enable encryption on our laptop.
There are different ways to enable encryption on laptops, encrypting specific directories and files or encrypting the entire hard drive (full disk encryption).
In the Windows 7 version , the operating system contains Bit Locker, also known as Whole Drive encryption, as one of its features.
Wireless networks
Encryption encodes the data transmitted between your electronic device and the wireless access point. Most of the times wireless access points are having encryption off.
If you haven't already, enable your wireless access point's encryption, and use the strongest form supported by your network.
The Wireless Protected Access (WPA) protocol and more recent WPA2 have supplanted the older and less-secure Wireless Encryption Protocol (WEP). It is highly recommended that your network support WPA2.
Removable Media
These media are small and easy to lose or misplace.
Your best defence is to encrypt the files on your removable media or use, where available, pre-encrypted removable media such as a pre-encrypted USB drive.
Smartphones, PDAs and other similar devices
Modern smartphones, PDAs, etc., can surf the Internet, email, text and take pictures and videos.
They have large amounts of internal memory capable of storing large volumes of information. Though this is undoubtedly convenient, it makes losing your phone a frightening prospect.
With so much personal data at risk, and identity theft such a major concern, you must take steps to protect yourself. It is recommended that you enable the encryption features on your smartphone.
Hope you found this article useful.
In one of my later articles I will discuss about how to encrypt your smartphone, its pros and cons.
