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TICKET ARCHIVE -> Does FileVault add more security to a desktop?

rockybanks@mind - Apr 29, 2006 - 4:18 pm

Is MacOSX FW enough for security esp. if behind a router for a desktop iMac?

Does FileVault protect files if you are victim of an internet based intrusion? Or does it only help if you iMac was stolen in a physical home break-in? I can understand it for laptops, but should I encrypt on a desktop?

Thanks in advance.
-r

ishan - Apr 29, 2006 - 8:15 pm

I think FileVault is the source of more headaches than a lot of Apple's new ideas. A good FW (like Apple's) should protect you very well from attempts to access data on your drive. If your laptop or desktop is stolen, that's a different matter obviously, but I would only protect your sensitive self-created files, and not the whole drive; after all the OS can be bought by anyone. To protect individual files, there are plenty of shareware utilities, and you don't need Filevault. PGP is an excellent solution, for example.

HTH and please let us know what happens. Thanks.

rockybanks@mind - Apr 29, 2006 - 9:52 pm

Thanks Ishan. Will do.