McKnife
asked on
Mobile encryption without being admin
Hi experts.
In a perfect world, there would be a software that would encrypt USB drives and let anyone access the data that knows the password. That person should not need administrative privileges.
What windows software solution comes next to this? [Hardware is not being looked at here]
Bitlocker to go is already considered an option, yes.
In a perfect world, there would be a software that would encrypt USB drives and let anyone access the data that knows the password. That person should not need administrative privileges.
What windows software solution comes next to this? [Hardware is not being looked at here]
Bitlocker to go is already considered an option, yes.
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TC does not need admin in Traveler Mode, you include the TC.exe on a the plain-text unencrypted portion of the USB, and use the executable on any machine and not need to install. Hardware is the more obvious choice over BL because you don't need to install any software (typically, but some do, like Kingston has a central manager, can't use the USB without it).
I like the kinds with keypads: http://www.apricorn.com/products/hardware-encrypted-drives/aegis-secure-key.html
Don't believe a drive that is certified FIPS140-2 is better than any other: http://www.h-online.com/security/news/item/NIST-certified-USB-Flash-drives-with-hardware-encryption-cracked-895308.html
Nonetheless I prefer TC or FreeOTFE over BL and or Hardware, and you already know I don't use Admin rights anywhere :)
-rich
I like the kinds with keypads: http://www.apricorn.com/products/hardware-encrypted-drives/aegis-secure-key.html
Don't believe a drive that is certified FIPS140-2 is better than any other: http://www.h-online.com/security/news/item/NIST-certified-USB-Flash-drives-with-hardware-encryption-cracked-895308.html
Nonetheless I prefer TC or FreeOTFE over BL and or Hardware, and you already know I don't use Admin rights anywhere :)
-rich
ASKER
Rich, Truecrypt portable was tested. It does need Admin rights to use encrypted containers, see http://www.truecrypt.org/docs/truecrypt-portable
You need administrator privileges in order to be able to run TrueCrypt in portable mode
It doesn't for us... Maybe you can try FreeOTFE which works the same way, place the executables and dll's on the plain-text partition of the drive, and create a container there too: http://sourceforge.net/projects/freeotfe.mirror/
Both work on User accounts, not power not admin... hmm TC doc's need updated or we are not talking about the same thing. We don't use any wizard, we just copy the files to the USB and create a file/container there...
-rich
Both work on User accounts, not power not admin... hmm TC doc's need updated or we are not talking about the same thing. We don't use any wizard, we just copy the files to the USB and create a file/container there...
-rich
ASKER
That's the same we do.
You are a local admin and UAC is off or it's xp, right? ;)
You are a local admin and UAC is off or it's xp, right? ;)
ASKER
I think I know what your "problem" is: you are testing it on computers that also have truecrypt installed, right? Then the driver is already loaded automatically at startup, that's why no admin rights are needed for portable TC in your case.
Right?
Right?
I'll triple check, I doubt we are including the drivers for TC in the image, but just in case I'll have a look. FreeOTFE I can confirm does not need admin to do the same portable drive.
-rich
-rich
ASKER
Fact is, TC 7.1a does not work on x64 OS (Vista/win7) in portable mode without administrative rights. Neither does free OTFE as it does not support x64 at all.
Yeah looks like IT slipstreamed the MSDN ISO's with the TC driver! FreeOTFE hasn't been developed in some time now. There is always encrypted containers like GPG or even 7zip.
hardware is the most universal, but it was discounted at the onset of the question, I'm all for it being deleted.
-rich
hardware is the most universal, but it was discounted at the onset of the question, I'm all for it being deleted.
-rich
ASKER
self-solved
If hardware isn't being looked at then it's looking like BL all the way, however that leaves XP and Vista (in the case of BL-2Go that is).
I don't throw encryption around like I used to, now I try to fix the problems before it comes to that. Got any other requirements or concerns about USB and or mobile devices? Since the data can leave so many other ways, USB is probably the least of my concerns when I consult for a client. It's very low on the radar unless USB is a commonly used item for sensitive data/air gap transfers. Otherwise, there are much faster and "better" ways to transfer data within just a browser.
-rich