Ask Leo!: Encryption en-us 2008 Leo A. Notenboom and Puget Sound Software, LLC Wed, 24 Jun 2009 12:34:46 -08:00 Wed, 24 Jun 2009 12:34:46 -08:00 720 http://ask-leo.com/images/altile144.jpg Ask Leo! http://ask-leo.com 140 140 Tech Questions? Get Answers! Ask Leo! How much does my encrypted wireless connection protect me? http://ask-leo.com/how_much_does_my_encrypted_wireless_connection_protect_me.html I use a wireless internet connection (secured WPA-personal) and no one other than me knows the password for it. Can anybody/ISP see what I am doing on the internet? I use Skype and Yahoo Messenger to talk to my family overseas. Can others hear and see what I do on the Skype & Yahoo video? If the answer is yes, can you please tell me how can I secure it?

]]> There are a couple of important potential misunderstandings of just how wireless security works, how far it works, and what you can do - if anything - beyond the reach of that security.

Let's look at exactly what kind of security wireless connections give you.

]]> leo@pugetsoundsoftware (Leo A. Notenboom) Wed, 24 Jun 2009 12:34:46 -08:00 Technology My computer was stolen. It's password protected, what files can the thieves see? http://ask-leo.com/my_computer_was_stolen_its_password_protected_what_files_can_the_thieves_see.html My mid-tower computer was recently stolen in a burglary. The Windows Vista home ultimate system was password protected at start-up. What files can be accessed by those trying to enter the system?

]]> It'll take a computer savvy thief about 5 minutes to gain access to everything on your computer.

Yep. Everything.

Everything that you haven't otherwise protected, that is.

]]> leo@pugetsoundsoftware (Leo A. Notenboom) Wed, 26 Nov 2008 11:01:01 -08:00 Technology How can I protect my email from being read by others using my computer? http://ask-leo.com/how_can_i_protect_my_email_from_being_read_by_others_using_my_computer.html How can I protect my email from being read by others using my computer? I use Outlook Express. I would like a password protection program. Is their any free or inexpensive programs available (and simple to use)?

]]> Yes, but not really.

I know, that's self contradictory, but while we'll look at a technique for you to use, you're actually violating a fundamental principal that could render anything we do moot.

]]> leo@pugetsoundsoftware (Leo A. Notenboom) Wed, 04 Jun 2008 12:33:45 -08:00 Technology Will hard disk encryption protect me from network attacks? http://ask-leo.com/will_hard_disk_encryption_protect_me_from_network_attacks.html I was told that hard disc encryption prevents people who have physical access to my laptop from reading my files, does that work against online hackers who hacked into my network? Would a complete hard disc encryption make any difference?

]]> Yes and no.

While encryption is a powerful tool in your security tool box, it's not a replacement for good network security, or any number of other important security measures for that matter.

We need to look at exactly what is, and is not, protected when you have, and when you use, encrypted data.

]]> leo@pugetsoundsoftware (Leo A. Notenboom) Mon, 07 Apr 2008 11:56:33 -08:00 Technology Can I mark my files so that they can be read, but not copied? http://ask-leo.com/can_i_mark_my_files_so_that_they_can_be_read_but_not_copied.html I want to put data on a disk only for people to read and not for them to be able to copy. I'd like to do this for email as well. How can I do this?

]]> No, this question didn't come from the MPAA, or the RIAA, but it certainly seems like they've been asking the same question lately. How do you create content, be it MP3's, movies, or just random data for business purposes, that can be used, but not copied.

That's right, we're talking copy-protection and digital rights management here.

My opinion? It's a lost cause.

]]> leo@pugetsoundsoftware (Leo A. Notenboom) Wed, 14 Feb 2007 12:12:15 -08:00 Technology