BitLocker Drive Encryption

BitLocker Drive Encryption is a specification of data protection, (integrated into the operating system Windows Vista) which provides the coding of partition.

BitLocker is included in the versions Professionnelle and Intégrale of Windows Vista.

General presentation

BitLocker provides three modes of operation. The first two modes require a material component cryptographic called TPM (Trusted Platform Module) (version 1.2 or higher) and obviously a compatible BIOS:

Transparent operation mode: Transparent mode of operation; the user does not have to be identified at the time of the phase of pre-boot (before the execution of BIOS);
To use authentication mode: This mode requires that the user is identified (for example with a peripheral USB).

The third mode does not require a material component TPM:

USB-Key ''' (key USB): that requires that the access to a peripheral USB is possible BEFORE the loading of the operating system (it is a constraint on the BIOS)

So that BitLocker functions, it is necessary that the disc contains at least two formatted partitions NTFS:

system volume with at least 1,5 gigaoctets;
the volume of boot which contains Vista.

Comparison with Linux

Linux also has software allowing the coding of the discs:

DM-crypt
Cryptoloop

Refer

Random links: