Tell me more ×
Super User is a question and answer site for computer enthusiasts and power users. It's 100% free, no registration required.
up vote 2 down vote favorite
1

I have an Intel 520 SSD and I'd like to encrypt it. How do I do this?

It's already formatted and has my programs already installed. I saw that there are programs like TrueCrypt that do that but I also know that my drive should do it out-of-the-box; what's the difference between both options?

share|improve this question

1 Answer

up vote 3 down vote accepted

TrueCrypt: You can view the source code (or pay someone to do it) and verify that the program is doing what it says it does, and that there are no backdoors. You also can control the type, strength, and cascade of encryption.

Your SSD firmware: ????

However, using your SSD firmware is going to give you greater performance.

On a practical level you would probably benefit more from using your SSD's firmware unless you are really paranoid.

Actually using the encryption: Based on this forum post (it covers the 320's but should apply for the 520's as well) - the encryption is automatically applied to the SSD NANDs using keys internally generated on the drive. If you pick a good ATA (BIOS HDD) password, you are OK. The only way to change that password is to issue an ATA "SECURITY ERASE" command to the drive - that forum post says in that event the SSD will regenerate its internal keys, rendering the already-encrypted data useless. Of course you are trusting Intel to make that assertion.

share|improve this answer
ok, so what do I need to do to use the drive's built-in encryption capabilities? – frenchie Mar 22 '12 at 20:03
Did the SSD come with a CD of software - probably utilites on there that you can use. – ultrasawblade Mar 22 '12 at 20:06
1  
The SSD is encrypted out-of-the-box, so you don't need anything, but if you want to change the key, you can use the tool : intel.com/support/go/ssdtoolbox/index.htm – Nettogrof Mar 22 '12 at 20:09
@Nettogrof: I never have to type a password; how do I enable encryption? – frenchie Mar 22 '12 at 20:24
@frenchie This is a forum thread that answer your question:communities.intel.com/thread/20537?start=0&tstart=0 – Nettogrof Mar 22 '12 at 20:30
show 3 more comments

Your Answer

 
discard

By posting your answer, you agree to the privacy policy and terms of service.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.