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refried

Registered: 06/14/13
Posts: 3,675
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Using desktop email client, are my emails secure? Can I encrypt database?
#22447210 - 10/28/15 11:15 PM (8 years, 3 months ago) |
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I am using postbox email client for windows which I like a lot. However, my database is huge and contains many sensitive emails. Does the program encrypt that database? If not, is it possible to make it happen? I am concerned that if somebody stole my computer, or more likely, my laptop, they would easily access all my emails.
I believe the client is made off of thunderbird but not 100% sure. Thanks!
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micro
bunbun has a gungun



Registered: 05/09/03
Posts: 7,532
Loc: Brick City
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Re: Using desktop email client, are my emails secure? Can I encrypt database? [Re: refried]
#22447329 - 10/28/15 11:55 PM (8 years, 3 months ago) |
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You can encrypt anything you want.
Looking it up, it doesn't seem the add-ons do much more than public key cryptography for the emails, themselves.
You might want to look into something like PGP you can use to encrypt the files where the data is stored.
I think I saw Thunderbird -- this might be where it stores the data.
If so you just want to encrypt the physical files that back the database.
-------------------- Any research paper or book for free (Avatar is Maxxy, a character by Mizzyam, RIP)
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refried

Registered: 06/14/13
Posts: 3,675
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Re: Using desktop email client, are my emails secure? Can I encrypt database? [Re: micro]
#22448182 - 10/29/15 07:51 AM (8 years, 3 months ago) |
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Well, I think I am partially understanding in that I know how to use a few kinds of encryption such as pgp and truecrypt/veracrypt, but if this isn't built in, wouldn't the program hit an error when trying to draw email from the database? Or does it only do that when you are offline? I don't really understand how Thunderbird/Postbox (similar, I think) works. I just wonder what big companies do with their laptops with sensitive emails on them in case they get stolen. I know most probably use Outlook but this would seem like a security risk that surely they've thought of.
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Alan Rockefeller
Mycologist

Registered: 03/10/07
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Re: Using desktop email client, are my emails secure? Can I encrypt database? [Re: refried]
#22450915 - 10/29/15 08:13 PM (8 years, 3 months ago) |
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You should use full drive encryption. With a screen saver password lock that kicks in after about 3 minutes of inactivity.
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Bacchus
Lurker



Registered: 10/10/06
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Re: Using desktop email client, are my emails secure? Can I encrypt database? [Re: Alan Rockefeller]
#22454173 - 10/30/15 04:02 PM (8 years, 3 months ago) |
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Quote:
Alan Rockefeller said: You should use full drive encryption. With a screen saver password lock that kicks in after about 3 minutes of inactivity.
This.
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refried

Registered: 06/14/13
Posts: 3,675
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Re: Using desktop email client, are my emails secure? Can I encrypt database? [Re: Bacchus]
#22566009 - 11/23/15 11:05 PM (8 years, 2 months ago) |
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Quote:
Bacchus said:
Quote:
Alan Rockefeller said: You should use full drive encryption. With a screen saver password lock that kicks in after about 3 minutes of inactivity.
This.
Thanks for the advice. I have done some pretty extensive research and I think I'm stuck unless you can direct me to something I missed. I have deduced that Veracrypt is the best solution for me, however, it does not encrypt UEFI system drives which seems like a huge feature lacking since UEFI has been dominant for several years and 3 of my 4 laptops are UEFI.
Veracrypt said it was in process of making this in a future version but that was back in march 2015 so i'm not hopeful it will happen soon.
The only other option I have found is bitlocker, and since I am not trying to hide anything illegal, just very personal files and emails, I think this would work for me. The problem is that none of my laptops have TPM (I don't understand this except that it is a hardware chip, correct?). There is an option to unlock the drive using a usb but I'm weary of losing that usb drive.
A few questions please, personal experience is appreciated:
1. Is veracrypt the top solution or are there others that I've missed that will encrypt a UEFI system?
2. If I did use bitlocker and had to rely on the usb method, what if I lost the usb? Would I be able to recover from a saved file in the cloud or elsewhere?
3. Is it possible to purchase and install a TPM chip into these laptops?
4. Any other solutions or personal setups that you recommend are appreciated.
Thanks!
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refried

Registered: 06/14/13
Posts: 3,675
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Re: Using desktop email client, are my emails secure? Can I encrypt database? [Re: refried]
#22566754 - 11/24/15 07:27 AM (8 years, 2 months ago) |
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Well, to answer some of my own questions:
1. yes, bitlocker works but with a usb drive attached and not without it. I zipped up my passwords/backup keys with 7zip and a password and backed them up in the cloud (not onedrive).
2. TPM chips are sold but not viable solution for my older and mostly inexpensive laptops.
3. Seems like a decent solution except for the USB Drive.
Any idea about Veracrypt and UEFI encryption in the future?
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