Is file encryption necessary?

RoxieToast

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Hey all. Do you think file encryption is necessary for security reasons? During all these years I've been gaming and browsing the net without any kind of cyber crime problems, but I don't think that that makes me immune to everything, figured I should take some precautions before shit hits the fan.
Anyway, is encrypting my most important files necessary? I've looked into this a bit and saw things like https://tresorit.com/ but it only seems to be for cloud storage. Then there's https://nordlocker.com/ - it sees to be for local file encryption. What do you guys think? Is it worth the trouble?
 
Hey all. Do you think file encryption is necessary for security reasons? During all these years I've been gaming and browsing the net without any kind of cyber crime problems, but I don't think that that makes me immune to everything, figured I should take some precautions before shit hits the fan.
Anyway, is encrypting my most important files necessary? I've looked into this a bit and saw things like https://tresorit.com/ but it only seems to be for cloud storage. Then there's https://nordlocker.com/ - it sees to be for local file encryption. What do you guys think? Is it worth the trouble?

Necessary for your files is defined by you, not us. Would it matter if your PC goes stolen and all your data was accessed? Maybe there's nothing that you would care if stolen - but you just think your files shouldn't be openly accessible. Maybe your of the mindset of "I've got nothing to hide - so why not make backdoors in encryption".

Personally - I encrypt my work laptop and have encrypted my home PC in the past - but currently do not. There are options such as BitLocker to make encryption easier - or if you have a business PC from a vendor they may have their own encryption. Or you might want open source encryption that's been independently audited for backdoors.

Then comes the questions of are we looking at full disk encryption (Encrypts entire drive/all data) or some tool to just encrypt/decrypt certain files as necessary.
 
At work we encrypt all PC's with bitlocker and TPM 2.0 based chips. I work in healthcare so it's needed. We also have MDM for remote wipe etc...
 
At work we encrypt all PC's with bitlocker and TPM 2.0 based chips. I work in healthcare so it's needed. We also have MDM for remote wipe etc...

HIPAA compliance requires encryption in your case. What MDM do you use?
 
If you use your computer for business with masses of customer info on it..yeah.

If it's your gaming PC and just your data...I wouldn't bother. Certainly don't bother if you like to do crazy overclocks or lots of tweaking with your PC. Get a crash too far and that encrypted system SSD gets corrupted...world of pain.

Encrypted vaults are better for securing important user data. It's just an encrypted file that opens up to a 'drive' that you can run then dismount when finished. Easy to backup too. No need then to encrypt the drive.
 
Are you worried that someone may see the files? If yes, then encrypt.

Are you worried that someone may deny you use of the files? If yes, then make sure you have a backup process and that you can in fact restore files from your backups.

These are not mutually exclusive questions and answers.
 
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