Full disk encryption for the Mac ?

Question

Level 1

6 points

Full disk encryption for the Mac ?

I desperately require a security measure against data compromise in the event of a physical theft of one of my Macs.

Is there some full disk encryption solution, similar to the TrueCrypt solution for Windows, that can work with a Mac? (TrueCrypt works on Mac but not its feature of full disk encryption)

Any other ideas on reinforcing security in such physical theft incidents?

Thanks!

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.5.4), 2.4GHz, 4GB RAM, 320GB HD

Posted on Aug 28, 2008 3:14 AM

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Answer 1

roam

Level 6

13,631 points

Aug 28, 2008 3:23 AM in response to Guychi

Do you require something more than FileVault?

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Answer 2

The hatter

Level 9

60,990 points

Aug 28, 2008 3:47 AM in response to Guychi

Check Point offers first full disk encryption for Mac
http://www.checkpoint.com/press/2008/fdemac052808.html

Reviewed by Ars:
http://arstechnica.com/journals/apple.ars/2008/05/28/check-point-offers-first-fu ll-disk-encryption-for-mac

Google "Mac disk encryption"

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Answer 3

Guychi Author

Level 1

6 points

Aug 28, 2008 4:33 AM in response to roam

FileVault doesn't encrypt the multitude of files I have outside the home directory, and has several other major limitations and disadvantages.

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Answer 4

The hatter

Level 9

60,990 points

Aug 28, 2008 6:09 AM in response to Guychi

Visited http://www.macintouch.com/

PGP Corporation is now shipping PGP Desktop 9.9 for Mac OS X, a major update of the encryption software. Highlights of this release include full support for pre-boot authentication, full support for external drives (including the sharing of Whole Disk Encrypted thumb drives between Mac and Windows clients), use of the FIPS 140-2 validated PGP SDK for cryptographic operations,

http://www.pgp.com/

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Answer 5

a brody

Level 10

82,941 points

Aug 28, 2008 6:12 AM in response to Guychi

Recognize though that if you forget your password, or the password file data gets corrupted or inaccessible, your entire hard drive will become permanently inaccessible.

I recommend at least backing up unencrypted to a secure physical location.

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Answer 6

Guychi Author

Level 1

6 points

Aug 28, 2008 7:51 AM in response to The hatter

Do you know of any way to buy thie CheckPoint solution online?

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Answer 7

Király

Level 6

10,017 points

Aug 28, 2008 9:11 AM in response to Guychi

If you absolutely must have full disk encryption, PGP for Mac is the only way. It's requires an annual subscription of about $25 and an initial license fee of about $120.

Normally, user files should not be stored outside your home folder; the exception being applications (which normally need not be encrypted anyway) and shared items in /Users/Shared (which can be stored there inside an encrypted disk image.) So if you can live with that, you might find that FileVault does what you need for free.

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