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    Encryption is now basically useless (hardware solutions?)

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by digitalman1973, Apr 9, 2009.

  1. digitalman1973

    digitalman1973 Notebook Enthusiast

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    After the following public experiment,
    http://blogs.zdnet.com/security/?p=900
    where technicians froze RAM with canned air and retreived encrpytion keys, it seems that all encryption methods are now useless.

    Hopefully the RAM manufacturers can offer a solution.
    A RAM module:
    1. a sensor that can sense when the RAM door is opened
    2. a small battery or capacitor to power the RAM module when removed.
    3. hermatically sealed (to prevent a hacker from shorting the battery or capacitor quickly)
    4. a secondary chip that would strong erase the contents or RAM immediately when the RAM door is sensed to be removed.
     
    digitalman1973, Apr 9, 2009
    #1
  2. whizzo

    whizzo Notebook Prophet

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    the setup is so theoretical. it's not like you can do this whole freezing-and-dumping thing on the go IMO.
     
    whizzo, Apr 9, 2009
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  3. the_flying_shoe

    the_flying_shoe Notebook Evangelist

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    I agree. The thief would have to access and hack into the computer within seconds of you turning it off, and that's assuming that you walked away to leave your computer out in the open for thieves anyway. Encryption still secures your files from attacks mounted virtually. Although I do suppose they could do still go crazy with your laptop had you left it in sleep. Very interesting video, btw.
     
    the_flying_shoe, Apr 9, 2009
    #3
  4. digitalman1973

    digitalman1973 Notebook Enthusiast

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    How many people DONT keep their laptop in sleep.
    I don't know anyone who shuts down and turns off their machine before returning it to their backpack or case
     
    digitalman1973, Apr 10, 2009
    #4
  5. kazaam55555

    kazaam55555 Notebook Evangelist

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    i always shut down before transporting.
     
    kazaam55555, Apr 10, 2009
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  6. JohnnyFlash

    JohnnyFlash Notebook Virtuoso

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    I always turn it off.
     
    JohnnyFlash, Apr 10, 2009
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  7. grbac

    grbac Notebook Deity

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    It's always good to restart NB here and then to have it perform like it should. If NB is on for a long time, it gets "clogged". :D

    A friend of mine has had his NB in stand by/hibernation for 3 months. In the end he lost sound-audio drivers and NB was very slow. Asked me to take a look what is going on. First what I did was restarting it and guess what - everything was normal again.
     
    grbac, Apr 10, 2009
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  8. sironin

    sironin Notebook Guru

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    Same here. The only time I don't is when I know I'll be using the laptop within the next half hour.
     
    sironin, Apr 10, 2009
    #8
  9. avanish11

    avanish11 Panda! ^_^

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    I always hibernate.
     
    avanish11, Apr 10, 2009
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  10. stevezachtech

    stevezachtech Notebook Evangelist

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    Mine had issues with waking up when I put it to sleep... So now I just make sure I turn it off.
     
    stevezachtech, Apr 16, 2009
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  11. King of Interns

    King of Interns Simply a laptop enthusiast

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    Never used sleep or hibernation since owning a laptop. If I ain't using it, it is off same with internet router +wireless emitter at night.
    I don't find waiting less than a minute a big hassle. Old fashioned I know :p
     
    King of Interns, Apr 16, 2009
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  12. ajreynol

    ajreynol Notebook Virtuoso

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    . I had no idea these file encryption methods were so useless in the face of someone who has any clue at all what they're doing.
     
    ajreynol, Apr 16, 2009
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  13. usapatriot

    usapatriot Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    Same here, but maybe that's because my battery's no good anymore and I don't have it installed in the laptop. :p
     
    usapatriot, Apr 16, 2009
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  14. surfasb

    surfasb Titles Shmm-itles

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    If the thief can get physical access to this computer that holds both encryption keys, he can probably get a hold of the keys without prying open the computer.
     
    surfasb, Apr 16, 2009
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  15. bigbulus

    bigbulus Notebook Consultant

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    , I read in Seagate website, they offer and boast Seagate 7200 FDE (File Disk Encryption). They claim that this drive is almost impossible to be cracked. Does it mean the encryption on this drive is useless too?
     
    bigbulus, Apr 16, 2009
    #15