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entwisi · 31-05-2005, 14:09

What about the window cleaner? He could look in whilst your back is turned!

Seriously, I would be very wary about what financial data is stored on a laptop. Your company should have some form of disk encryption software that would render the data unreadable. At work my laptop runs a system called Safeboot.

Windows home edition is better than the old 9x versions but IIRC it is still not very good from a data access POV. There are easily found password crackers that will get someone in. or at worst I could just boot a Linux Live CD and read any data you have on there.

As with all PC security. The length you should go to is dictated by the data you are protecting. My IFA came to me to ask for advice about his computer security because he knew just how sensitive a lot of the data he holds is and that if I was happy about the level my details were protected then he would be covered for his other clients as well.

It all comes down to cost I'm afraid. How much are you willing to pay and how much 'inconvienence' are you prepared to put up with.

Password protect all documents encrypt them if possible, Never store a username/password pair together. Keep regular backups and TEST THEY WORK! i.e. do you get back what you expect.

31-05-2005, 14:09	#4
entwisi God Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Up Bash Posts: 7,827 Blog Entries: 3 Liked: 44 times Rep Power: 4390	Re: Laptop security What about the window cleaner? He could look in whilst your back is turned! Seriously, I would be very wary about what financial data is stored on a laptop. Your company should have some form of disk encryption software that would render the data unreadable. At work my laptop runs a system called Safeboot. Windows home edition is better than the old 9x versions but IIRC it is still not very good from a data access POV. There are easily found password crackers that will get someone in. or at worst I could just boot a Linux Live CD and read any data you have on there. As with all PC security. The length you should go to is dictated by the data you are protecting. My IFA came to me to ask for advice about his computer security because he knew just how sensitive a lot of the data he holds is and that if I was happy about the level my details were protected then he would be covered for his other clients as well. It all comes down to cost I'm afraid. How much are you willing to pay and how much 'inconvienence' are you prepared to put up with. Password protect all documents encrypt them if possible, Never store a username/password pair together. Keep regular backups and TEST THEY WORK! i.e. do you get back what you expect.