TrueCrypt 4.0

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.

Some of the major changes:
* TrueCrypt volumes can now be mounted on Linux.
* It is now possible to write to outer volume without risking that a hidden volume within it will get damaged (overwritten)
* Support for the x86-64 (64-bit) platform
* TrueCrypt now runs on Windows XP x64 Edition (64-bit) and Windows Server 2003 x64.
* Full support for keyfiles. Keyfiles provide protection against keystroke loggers and may strengthen protection against brute force attacks. Keyfile is a file whose content is combined with a password. Until correct keyfile is provided, no volume that uses the keyfile can be mounted.
* Whirlpool hash algorithm added.
* Support for language packs (localizations).
* Auto-Dismount facility
* Containers stored on a locally mapped network drive can now be mounted.
* Plus a lot of other changes, additions, fixes, etc.