password protect a hard drive?

[Jeff]

Is there a way to password protect a laptop hard drive? I know there is a
BIOS password but that does not protect if the HD is removed and placed in
another PC. Similarly a user password (I think) only protects if the user
uses the same OS (here it is XP MCE).

So, is there a way to truly password protect a hard drive?

Jeff

 

[Ted Zieglar]

There are very many encryption programs available. Too many. Check the
reviews in the various online magazines (CNet, PC Magazine, PC World, etc.)

 

[Steven L Umbach]

Encrypting the hard drive is more difficult than encrypting data folders.
Vista will have a version that can encrypt the hard drive. If you can use XP
Pro you can use the built in EFS to encrypt non system folders and as long
as your password is at least 15 characters in length it will be virtually be
impossible to crack your password that protects your EFS private key if the
private key had not been delete/exported. However anytime a password alone
protects EFS files there is the danger of an attacker accessing your
password through hardware or software key logger. The links below are to
free and shareware encryption programs that you may want to consider. With
ANY encryption there is the possibility of YOU losing access to your data so
no matter what you decide to use be sure to read the best practices for the
application to backup your encryption keys and also consider keeping clear
text backups stored in a safe place.

Steve

http://www.snapfiles.com/Shareware/security/swencrypt.html
http://www.snapfiles.com/Freeware/security/fwencrypt.html

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=laptop+drive+encryption&btnG=Google+Search
--- Google search for laptop drive encryption.

 

[Jeff]

Thank you.

Jeff

Encrypting the hard drive is more difficult than encrypting data folders.
Vista will have a version that can encrypt the hard drive. If you can use
XP Pro you can use the built in EFS to encrypt non system folders and as
long as your password is at least 15 characters in length it will be
virtually be impossible to crack your password that protects your EFS
private key if the private key had not been delete/exported. However
anytime a password alone protects EFS files there is the danger of an
attacker accessing your password through hardware or software key logger.
The links below are to free and shareware encryption programs that you may
want to consider. With ANY encryption there is the possibility of YOU
losing access to your data so no matter what you decide to use be sure to
read the best practices for the application to backup your encryption keys
and also consider keeping clear text backups stored in a safe place.

Steve

http://www.snapfiles.com/Shareware/security/swencrypt.html
http://www.snapfiles.com/Freeware/security/fwencrypt.html

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=laptop+drive+encryption&btnG=Google+Search
--- Google search for laptop drive encryption.