Community poll forum: How do you secure sensitive data on your computer?

I am not surprised that 25% say they don't store sensitive data, it goes to show that most of us do not know what 'sensitive data' is.

Do you do any banking on your PC? Do you type passwords in Web sites? Do your taxes, type credit card #s, addresses, names, addresses. Even if complete information is not recoverable, pieces of information on your computer can easily be combined with other known info or with a bit of research and presto.

Your PC is loaded with temporary files, even deleted files can be recovered. Don't be so sure someone can't get to that stuff given the right access.

Can we say ID Theft?

I don't store any financial passwords (web-trading account, bank account, credit card account, etc.) on the computer. I don't let windows remember any of my passwords for auto-fill. But I do bank, trade, and buy on line, which involves manually entering a password a couple of times a week. I keep a close watch on background processes and I'm pretty sure there's no spyware on my machine (I use two anti-spyware scanners). I use a firewall. I would consider myself the quintessential "Does not store sensitive data" guy. So do you still think I'm at risk? I'd appreciate some discussion, from you or any of the other readers, about the ways I can be hacked, and the odds of it happening.
I'd also like to hear from anyone who was similarly careful (or sloppy?) and still got his identity stolen.
Also, I've been wondering if it would be safe to use Roboform to store and autofill those passwords. Is there anyone out there who used Roboform and got burned?

I pretty much use my PC only for photo editing. I refuse to do banking or check credit card info online, and I don't even store my account #'s or access #'s.
I, too, keep addresses the good old fashion way, in an address book. The only address's I have stored on my PC are email address's. There is one way hackers and identity thieves could get me. I occasionally buy products online using a credit card and Pay Pal. But I only have one credit card, (I refuse to have more), and I check that balance, (by phone), quite regularly.
Also, I refuse to have a high credit limit.
I don't like buying on credit, though it's needed occasionally. I prefer to use cash and have the transaction done with.

My hard disk is encrypted, and I have an additional special application for strongly encrypted storage of passwords and stuff on my computer and PDA. I expect that should do the trick for now.

This is a very mediocre program sold by a very dishonest company. Stay away. After dealing with this company, I felt it was necessary to cancel my credit card number to protect myself. Their program is not as easy to use as others and lacks important features. But worse, the company is dishonest.

I had downloaded and paid for their program because the splash screen on the evaluation version states the following:

"It's 100% risk free to buy Universal Shield! Test it for 30 days. Should
you have any problems or are not satisfied for any reason, contact us and we
will provide you with a refund."

I was not satisfied because the program does not protect files on remote drives (unlike some of their rivals). When I
requested (within 1 day of buying the program) the 30 day money back guarantee, the company first told me that they did not offer the guarantee. When I quoted the statement from their splash screen, they just outright refused to honor the money-back guarantee. I have never before seen a company do this.

I then noticed that the web site to which I had provided my credit card number when I purchased their program was not really a third-party site. So, this dishonest company probably had my credit card number. That's why I cancelled my card after dealing with them.

Would you want a company who will lie and sacrifice their business reputation for $34.95 to install security software on your computer or network?

This is a talk about security with your files -- Internet explorer does not even belong in the same sentence. You might try Chipmark so you don't lose your bookmarks... it can be set public or private with passwords. It works in Firefox and Internet Explorer (for those of you that work for backwards companies who just don't get it)
I tend to prefer the whole security thru obscurity method. There are countless little tricks you can employ.

I use two different security methods.
1- use a password

2- a fingerprint reader

And if I really want to get secure, my fingerprint reader on my personal files and programs.
That makes it a little hard to open them without my pinky on display. It Works For me.

I have no problem using Internet Explorer and have RoboForm that saves all my password and other information for me so that I just click a button and all my information is filled in. I pay my utilities, except Water-cause they're behind the times-and I can't pay it by computer, do what little banking I have online. I am not worried in the least because I know that my computer is tight when it comes to security and nothing can come in and take a peek unless I give it permission-And I don't do that. If you are that worried about your computer get a typewriter and then they'll be nothing to be paranoid about. I don't understand those who have a computer and don't know how to secure it so that you are still living in the dark ages. Just my opinion, of course, but gosh the gas alone these days is well worth my doing my banking online now.

I use Deslock from Data Encryption Systems. It allows you to encrypt folders or areas of your disk or even individual files.
Once you are done with the data you can also securely delete it thru their shredder.
Best of all its free for non-commercial use!

Although I see this comment was made in 2005, I also downloaded DESlock. It seemed to work fine at first, although I only used the shredding facility, but after I closed the computer down, when it restarted the right click menu facility caused crashes each time. I did a system restore and the problem was gone.

I prefer to back up my data on ZIP disks.Not many people have a ZIP drive in their computers so the chances of a disk being stolen and used are reduced.

I password encrypt my laptop hard drive "and" password encrypt my sensitive folders. I only password encrypt my sensitive folders on my desktop. My biggest problem remaining is to delete my recent history to maintain that protection.

how do you encrypt your files and do a password to protect your sensitive files? i am new to this procedure and need help. is it difficult to do? or is there an easier way? i am working with windows xp and i have internet explorer but i would like to stick with windows xp 2000.

I use Linux because I am more confident in it's security than Windows, encryption, hidden folders, backing up to CDs is just gravy.

I recommend to everyone they at least check out Linux. It is easy to configure your PC to duel boot with windows and Linux. If it is not for you just get rid of it.

I personally recommend SUSE Linux distro,

I use a removable hard drive for fast backups. It can be removed for securing. For long term backup, I use CD-R or DVD-R.

If I had something that required more security, (nothing really ultra top secret yet!) I'd use an encrypting archive program, thus not only hiding the files, but also hiding file names and even how many files were archived and encrypted.