[SATLUG] laptop encryption

[John Chalinder]

On the subject of encryption, here's a quote from Zimmerman's PGP pages:

"Most alarming of all is the White House's bold new encryption policy 
initiative, under development at NSA since the start of the Bush 
administration, and unveiled April 16th, 1993. The centerpiece of this 
initiative is a Government-built encryption device, called the "Clipper" chip, 
containing a new classified NSA encryption algorithm. The Government is 
encouraging private industry to design it into all their secure communication 
products, like secure phones, secure FAX, etc. AT&T is now putting the Clipper 
into their secure voice products. The catch: At the time of manufacture, each 
Clipper chip will be loaded with its own unique key, and the Government gets 
to keep a copy, placed in escrow. Not to worry, though-- the Government 
promises that they will use these keys to read your traffic only when duly 
authorized by law. Of course, to make Clipper completely effective, the next 
logical step would be to outlaw other forms of cryptography."

Can you imagine becoming a criminal because you want to protect sensitive 
files legally in your possession? Our Founding Father's spirits must be 
restless these days. The Spirit of Freedom is surely in need of some TLC...

On Sat, 29 Dec 2007 08:25:46 -0600 (CST)
  Borries Demeler <demeler at biochem.uthscsa.edu> wrote:
> Satluggers:
> I need a suggestion for encryption software for linux harddrives.
> 
> UTHSCSA recently changed their regulations as to where you have to have
> each laptop's harddrive encrypted in case of theft or loss. There solution
> to enforce this is for you to have to proof to them that you bought
> a copy of Safeboot with each laptop ordered to assure that all laptops
> are encrypted, or you cannot place the order within the University
> system. I argued that I shouldn't be required to purchase a software
> which is absolutely useless for someone like me who immediately wipes
> of Micro$oft from any laptop purchased and replaces it with Linux.
> 
> They agreed, and made an exemption for laptops intended to be run with
> Linux. However, now they want me to suggest an equivalent product for
> Linux. I am curious to know if someone has experience with an OPEN SOURCE
> encryption solution that one could recommend here. I much rather recommend
> something open and free, than some proprietary solution where I can't even
> inspect the source to make sure it actually is safe.
> 
> Thanks! -Borries
> -- 
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