OS – Windows

TrueCrypt 4.0

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If you are interested in security for your laptop (and who isn’t), TrueCrypt 4.0 has been released. TrueCrypt is free/open-source encryption software for Linux and Windows 2000, XP, 2003.

Among the features:
* It can create a virtual encrypted disk within a file and mount it as a real disk.
* It can encrypt an entire hard disk partition or a device, such as USB memory stick, floppy disk, etc.
* Provides two levels of plausible deniability, in case an adversary forces you to reveal the password:

    1) Hidden volume (more information may be found here).
    2) No TrueCrypt volume can be identified (TrueCrypt volumes cannot be distinguished from random data).

* Encryption algorithms: AES-256, Blowfish (448-bit key), CAST5, Serpent (256-bit key), Triple DES, and Twofish (256-bit key). Supports cascading (e.g., AES-Twofish-Serpent).
* Based on Encryption for the Masses (E4M) 2.02a, which was conceived in 1997.

You can read about the changes in 4.0 here.

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Microsoft Streets and Trips 2006

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Microsoft’s Streets and Trips 2006 (with and without the GPS locator) is now available in most computer stores as well as online. If you are interested in this product, make sure and pick up the 2006 version over the 2005 version, as there are several improvements that have been made.