Why Use Data Encryption?

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Encryption is considered an annoyance by some businesses and people as it can be a bother if you try to share files or forget your encryption key. Many people follow tips and tricks to prevent hackers from breaking into their computers and wireless networks, which is definitely a good thing. Preventative measures are a great start in protecting your computer, but preparing for when a successful attack hits is equally important.

The main benefit of data encryption is that even if you were to lose your computer, get malicious malware or are hacked, the data inside your computer is still safe. Encryption of data gives you one last saving grace, the data may no longer be in your hands, but no one else can see it or use it.

Now, you may be asking, what are the chances that you'll lose your data? It can't be that simple can it?

Laptop theft is a rampant crime that is constantly rising, and it can happen instantly, anywhere. It can be the laptop you use for work or the laptop you use personally; they both contain valuable information and are easy to steal. Examples of where you can have your laptop stolen are:

• Airport
• Library
• College campus
• Work
• Hotel
• Home
• Public transportation
• And the list goes on...

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The portable aspect of laptops is enticing, but it also increases the risk of them being stolen. A study by the Ponemon Institute in 2009 showed that in the first half of 2008, across 106 airports, 12,000 laptops were stolen or lost every week! That averages to about 1 laptop being stolen every 53 seconds!

Year after year, laptop theft is on the rise. According to the FBI, the number of reported stolen laptops in 2009 went up 32% from the previous year, totaling 128,280 reported stolen laptops! It doesn't help that the FBI reports that 97% of stolen laptops are never recovered. Laptop theft is no laughing matter and can happen to anyone. Data encryption ensures that even if you were to become a victim, the perpetrator cannot hack into your computer and steal anything valuable. You may have lost a few hundred dollars on the hardware, but with data encryption, you can at least sleep safely knowing that they can't dig through your files and folders to look at personal pictures or steal valuable information such as social security numbers.

You might think that locking down your computer to a desk with a cable lock or placing it in a safe will keep your data safe and that encryption is not needed. However, you must note that physically tying down or placing your laptop in a safe is still a preventive measure. A cable lock can be broken, or the entire safe and the contents can be stolen, so they're both preventative measures that have flaws. Data encryption is an additional layer of protection on top of the preventive measures you put in place.

Another flaw in just using physical locks and safes to protect your data in your computer laptops is the fact that hackers don't need your laptops. Laptop theft isn't the only way a hacker can take data from your computer...

Read on to page 2 to see how else data can be stolen and how encryption can save your data...