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Encryption is one tool in what should be a multi layered approach to securing your home
or SOHO (small office, home office) computer and or network. In addition to file encryption you
need to install a firewall and an antivirus solution. You also need to review
what computer viruses are to understand how they impact your security.
You need to understand how to create a good password. I've also
written articles that offer useful tips if you shop on the Internet
or use e-mail. Have a great week, Tom
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ENCRYPTION is the process of scrambling or encoding information to make
it unreadable. The encrypted information can be "decrypted" to make it
readable once again. Encryption can be used to limit unauthorized access to data
or information that is encrypted. Encryption is an important tool to help protect your
privacy. You can use encryption to protect important files and information you send
over the Internet or store on your computer or SOHO (small office, home office)
network.
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Why is encryption important to you? Any computer that
has contact with the Internet can potentially be remotely compromised/broken into and
controlled. There are numerous methods by which a malicious individual can gain access
to your computer and all the information it contains.
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Many recent types of computer malware specifically
"worms" and
"Trojans"
are designed to allow an attacker to gain complete access to the infected target
computer. This would allow the theft of sensitive information (credit card numbers,
the names of friends and associates, e-mail and postal mailing addresses and more)
stored on the victims computer/s. This type of information could be used to steal
your identity. Charge card purchases, loans can then be made in your name.
The e-mail addresses stored on your computer are used by some viruses to
spread themselves to other computers. This endangers not only you, but
your friends, family and business contacts. In my experience often times the owners
of infected computers do not realize they are infected. Encryption can
protect you if your computer is broken into by a malicious individual or infected
with a virus.
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Encryption Basics
You need a key to lock and unlock the door to your home or apartment. Similarly
with encryption you need a key to encrypt/scramble or decrypt/unscramble a file
you want to protect (example: a letter you typed). Of course the keys used for
encryption are not physical keys that you can hold on to.
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There are two types of keys (symmetric and asymmetric) commonly used for encryption.
A "symmetric key" is also referred to as a "secret or private key". If you
encrypt a file (a letter you recently typed) with a symmetric or secret key you use the
same key to decrypt/unscramble it. A single key is used for both encryption and
decryption. Anyone who knows the key can decrypt the file. If you need to share a
file encrypted with a symmetric key the file recipient needs to be given the key.
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Example: You need to send a letter to a friend or co-worker by e-mail. The letter
was typed using your favorite word processing program. The document contains important
personal information you do not want others to read. You encrypt the document to protect
it from being read by anyone other than your friend or co-worker. The program you use to
encrypt and protect the letter uses a "symmetric key". The symmetric key is usually a
password or created from a password you enter. Remember if you use a symmetric key to
encrypt a file the same key is used for both encryption and decryption. In order to
share a file encrypted with a symmetric key you must also share the key used to encrypt it.
Somehow you must arrange to securely give the key to the person receiving the encrypted
file (your letter). You could simply call them to deliver the key over the phone.
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