Security of Hard Disk Encryption

Abstract: Encryption is the art of preserving confidentiality of digital information. It is considered to be one of the most ideal solutions for providing data confidentiality and safety of computer hard disk. Many disk encryption software are commercially available with a variety of features. But how much effective security is provided by those software is the ultimate question. Encryption algorithms used by those software are vulnerable to known cryptanalysis. Design and implementation weaknesses critically leave backdoors inside those software themselves. Easy and smart methods are used to defeat the software’s security either by manipulating external hardware or by exploiting user unawareness. This thesis evaluates the potential vulnerabilities of commercial hard disk encryption software that are claimed to provide absolute security of hard disk content.