What Encryption Are You Using?

Discussion in 'Survival Communications' started by Bandit99, Feb 13, 2020.


  1. Bandit99

    Bandit99 Monkey+++ Site Supporter+

    Recently, the Washington Post posted an interesting story about how the CIA actually owned and operated one of the largest and leading manufacturing companies in the world concerning encryption devices. Much of those devices and days have been overcome by advance technology in software encryption so... I thought it would make an interesting and enlightening post to find out what fellow monkeys are using to secure their files, communications, etc.

    For my files, I use 3 ea. Apricon Aegis 256-bit AES encrypted flash drives, 2 for home (primary and spare) and 1 off site in my Safe Deposit box. These drives are kept in a Liberty safe at home.

    The drives use 256-bit Hardware Encryption and the PIN is 7-15 digits which an individual must punch in by hand and if you cannot get the password correct after so many tries it erases the contents of the drive. It's a very clean, simple and very reliable solution.

    Until recently, I also used an added level of protection by software encrypting the data files with 256 bit AES encryption. I am currently looking for a new product which is one reason for this post. Of course, Software encryption is only as secure as the rest of your computer/smartphone. If a hacker can crack your password, the encryption is blown which is why I like using it in conjunction with hardware encryption.

    I am all ears should anyone have recommendations for a software encryption product for data. I am looking at a few, Veracrypt and CryptoExpert are a few of them but I'm completely open to recommendations...

    I recently got my first phone app, it's called Zello which I am sure many have heard of it. Wife and I use it to stay in touch and its encrypted, makes the mobile phone act like a walkie-talkie but more so...very handy at times. In truth, we don't use it much but it's there if needed and time will tell if we keep it.

    We don't do video as too data intensive and I don't do email encryption but instead will attach an encrypted file...simpler for us.
     
    Last edited: Feb 13, 2020
  2. Ura-Ki

    Ura-Ki Grampa Monkey

    U.S.30 cal 1906! LOL

    TOR seems to work for all my needs, outside of that, I don't use crypto services or products, I Write Crypto as needed, a One Time Pad key with coded pass key on the other end, like BT posted else where here, there is No Way to break it, unless you physically had access to ether source, and could decode it real time before it changes, then it's completely secure and unbreakable!
     
    Oddcaliber likes this.
  3. Bandit99

    Bandit99 Monkey+++ Site Supporter+

    Yes, one-time pads truly are the only way to be 100% secure even in these days of super computers. I have heard a bit about TOR but will have to read up on it, never used it.
     
    Ura-Ki likes this.
  4. sec_monkey

    sec_monkey SM Security Administrator

    wut @Ura-Ki mentioned aint fer data storage
     
    Ura-Ki likes this.
  5. BTPost

    BTPost Stumpy Old Fart,Deadman Walking, Snow Monkey Moderator

    I use AES w/A 192 bit key... for Digital Data... and AES W/256 bit keys for personal digital data... and Family OneTime PADs, one each Phrase PAD, Hexadecimal PAD, and AlphaNumeric PAD, for Comms with Family... and Apples FaceTime for Video Conferencing (Apple Proprietary End to End single use Encrytion)
     
    reconprepper, 3M-TA3 and Ura-Ki like this.
  6. RouteClearance

    RouteClearance Monkey+++

  7. Bandit99

    Bandit99 Monkey+++ Site Supporter+

    @BTPost "...and AES W/256 bit keys for personal digital data...."

    What product are you using? I was using 'PrivateCrypto' , good product but I don't think they make it or even update it anymore and I cannot find my access code for it so since I have to purchase something new I am looking for other options...
     
  8. BTPost

    BTPost Stumpy Old Fart,Deadman Walking, Snow Monkey Moderator

    I use the AES Submission that came out in 2002... Direct from NIST...
     
  9. Bandit99

    Bandit99 Monkey+++ Site Supporter+

    I can find the documents concerning it but nothing in the way of software...
     
  10. BTPost

    BTPost Stumpy Old Fart,Deadman Walking, Snow Monkey Moderator

    I got the software from a friend who worked at NIST, BACK IN THE DAY...
     
    Bandit99 likes this.
  11. William Warren

    William Warren Monkey+++

    I mostly use GPG, which is the Unix version of PGP. If one of my friends insists on it, I'll get an x.509 email certificate and use that instead.

    Has anyone here ever used a "groupware" application called "W.A.S.T.E.?"
     
  12. William Warren

    William Warren Monkey+++

    The Electronic Frontier Foundation just published a warning about a pending bill that would end most encryption:

    Members of Congress are about to introduce a bill that will undermine
    the law that undergirds free speech on the Internet. If passed, the
    bill known as the Eliminating Abusive and Rampant Neglect of
    Interactive Technologies (EARN IT) Act (1), will fulfill a long-standing
    dream of U.S. law enforcement. If passed, it could largely mark the
    end of private, encrypted messaging on the Internet.

    The Graham-Blumenthal Bill: A New Path for DOJ to Finally Break Encryption
     
  13. BTPost

    BTPost Stumpy Old Fart,Deadman Walking, Snow Monkey Moderator

    No matter what Bill these Yahoos try and pass, they can’t stop folks from using the encryption technology they already possess... Are they going to keep Banks from encrypting the Comms between their Customers and the Bank? Are they going to keep a Husband and Wife from encrypting their Private Comms between each other? Are they going to make Apple drop the End to End Encryption of FaceTime? Advocating such, will get these Yahoos unElected on their next election... and folks will likely Tar & Feather them the next time they return home...
     
  14. VisuTrac

    VisuTrac Ваша мать носит военные ботинки Site Supporter+++

    And then there are those of us that would create encryption with no back doors, post it on the internet, for everyone to use.
     
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