There is no such thing as safe data. There’s no consumer operating software that keeps you safe from hackers, Trojans, key loggers, and other nasty stuff out there on the Internet. Even the most complex encryption data programs can be beaten, with a little ingenuity and some liquid nitrogen, as shown in this New York Times article. In an era where important data is kept on government laptop computers, this is probably bad news.
Is anyone surprised, though? If you have the proper tools, there’s not an alarm system that can’t be beaten. If you have the time, you can break through any locking mechanism.
In the technology arena, saying something is completely safe is just asking to be broken into. There are entirely too many ways to get into any computer system and poke your nose in where it doesn’t belong, especially if you have the system you want to break into sitting right in front of you. All it takes are tools, time, and a little know-how, and you can crack into anything.
The whole point of using virus protection, firewalls, alarm systems, DVD encryption methods, and door locks is to prevent the casual, lazy thief from getting into your stuff. It’s not going to protect anything from anyone who wants it, but it offers the protection of not being the easiest target available. The goal is to make it just difficult enough to discourage someone from even attempting to make off with the goodies. That’s why you lock your car doors when any handy brick renders the locking mechanism useless.
Tags: data encryption, security, computers, hackers, computer safety, encryption