BitLocker Pros & Cons?

What are the pros and cons of using bitlocker in windows vista ultimate x64? If someone stole my notebook my data would be more secure I know, but how much more secure?


I see you need 2 partitions. I have my HDD partitioned into 1 partition for OS and installed programs and games. The 2nd partition I use for file storage and other misc junk, stuff, or if I run out of space on the first one.


What would I have to do different to use bitlocker efficiently? In the future I will be adding a 2nd hdd to my notebook.

 

I can't answer questions about bitlocker, but can share a little bit of info about encryption. If you use a strong password (~16 characters, letters, numbers and symbols) the encryption will be impossible to break. If you use a strong password, and are careful, it could take longer than the age of the universe to break it.

However, full disk encryption is going to keep your CPU busy, so you will see a loss of battery life. Also, disk performance may drop slightly if your CPU is slow. And there are things to worry about, like losing your password.

An alternitive to Bitlocker is Truecrypt. It has more options, like creating a encrypted file container, encrypting the full disk, and can create hidden partitions as well.

 

I'm mainly concerned about the OS itself as I have a lot of client information on it.

Is there a way to stop the encryption while you are playing a game or anything? I'll wait for some more information on the bitlocker option.

 

I think the idea is to just protect the sensitive information, which you could do with, for example TrueCript - however I'm not sure how it would work out if you needed to encode for example Outlook data files...

 

Btw, since people mentioned TrueCrypt so apparently they use/used it. Anyone remembers if it installs a service ? I hate programs that need to install services in order to use. Hence why im stuck to Photoshop CS2

 

I'm surprised more people don't use it. I thought this was one of the big features of Ultimate when I got it?

 

You can't stop bitlocker for gaming, it is full disk encryption and you can't turn it off.

As far as how secure it is depends on how secure your key is. Without the key the data is practically useless at least until whoever cracks the key which can take many years using a supercomputer

The thing about the key is that Bitlocker can store/access the key using 2 different methods, using a TPM or a USB key. I don't know how secure a TPM is, but that is another source that can be cracked or in the case of a USB key, it could be as simple as stealing the laptop with the USB key still inserted.

 

TrueCrypt is great, I use it and I love it. As for whether it installs a service, it does, but you can easily disable it in the preferences dialog.

I highly recommend TrueCrypt whether you will be encrypting your entire drive, a partition, creating a secure file container, or encrypting a flash drive.