data security

[according]

Hi. I would like to secure my data in my notebook.

Are my data safe if I have it under winXP home password? There is no other user and guest is not permited.

Anyway is it possible to steal my data just by giving out my harddisk and use it in some way?

And the last question: is there any general way how to make my data safer?

thanks Jirka

[sumankar]

Someone can take the hard disk out and copy all your data. Use disk
encryption. Apart from that latest IBM laptops come with fingerprint
identification. If you can afford it ... well go ahead!

[according]

Someone can take the hard disk out and copy all your data. Use disk
encryption. Apart from that latest IBM laptops come with fingerprint
identification. If you can afford it ... well go ahead!

Thanks for your reply.. but how can I use the disk encryption?

[yoshiro aoki]

I left reply with your other message, hope it helps you.

As for Windows XP Home, I don't know about it. I use XP Pro. My XP Pro can encrypt files all by itself.

This is how to encrypt files on XP Professional. Maybe it will work on your XP Home:

1. In Windows Explorer, Right click on the file or directory that you want encrypted.

2. Choose 'Properties' from the popup window.

3. Click the 'General' tab. At the bottom will be a button 'Advanced'.

4. Click on the 'Advanced' button. A dialog box with check boxes appears.

5. Check [X] the box 'Encrypt contents to secure data'

Can you do this with Windows XP Home?
If not, maybe free PGP will work for you.
Its also easy to use.

Here is a link:
http://www.pgpi.org/

aloha,