Encryption: Which App To Use?

NiceAndShy said:

How can I protect myself from installing apps that contain malicious code?

Hi there
It's almost impossible - especially if an app seems essentially behaves as a standard program -- the easy ones for A/V software to protect against are those that make obvious "Non standard" uses of Windows features or make special kernel calls - however you can minimize risks by taking these easy precautions:

1) Always have a CLEAN backup -- this will ALWAYS work even if you have the worst infected computer on the planet.

2) Have a bootable means of RESTORING that Backup.

3) have a Bootable means of formatting / erasing a HDD.

4) Always install from TRUSTED reliable sources.

5) If you download from torrents - never use zip/rar/exe/msi etc types of files --especially zip, rar or other archive types. Also use Magnet Links - never download the torrent file as this might contain dubious links. With a magnet link copy the URL or from that well known site use the magnet icon and in your Bit torrent client simply open torrent / add from URL using the URL copied in magnet link.

When downloading music / video always ensure files are in mp4/mkv/flac/mp3 etc i.e in native format -- these will then play with native application and any nasties in these types of files will be noise and the system won't play !!.

6) If you want to install a lot of stuff --the best way is to install it on a Virtual Machine if you can --then if software tests OK then you can install on your Main computer.

7) Keep OS + pgms on their own HDD/SSD/Partition so your DATA files are separate - you won't lose them in a restore.

8) If your computer is infected - restore a clean version from a backup -- don't waste your time with "Virus Cleaners" --it's invariably QUICKER BY FAR - especially on an SSD to RESTORE your OS --often around 10 - 15 mins max compared to sometimes HOURS using A/V cleaners with sometimes less than perfect results.

8) Avoid a lot of the "SPIEL" rabbited on by so called experts -- I heard one the other day telling a woman that her computer was so badly infected that the only solution was to BUY A NEW LAPTOP !!!!!!! - what an absolute load of Bull --

I offered to fix her laptop -- easy to do -- did a total erase of her HDD (simply had a Linux program run from a bootable USB stick to write Hex '00' on every sector (Hard erase -- the best thing before a low level format) and then re-installed Windows again --perfect.

Of course Software can't protect you 100% -- so also USE COMPUTER SAFELY -- change passwords, don't open attachments from unknown senders and never email replies to Banks, Police, Tax authorities etc --if any problems with accounts etc PHONE institution / retailer concerned.

Cheers
jimbo
.

Thanks!

I'm currently trying to choose which encryption app to use because I'm unsure if using BitLocker is a good idea as BitLocker requires Windows 10 Pro to access it and BitLocker doesn't run on Linux or MacOS so I'd be "locked into using BitLocker"...

A lot has changed since 2016 so are there any other encryption apps that are a better choice now?

Bitlocker works great, I've been using whole disk encryption for 10+ years. I also use Steganos safe 21, and Folderlock 7. All work just fine.