Overview
Everyone wants privacy and security online, which most computer users have more or less given up on as far as personal data is concerned. There is no shortage of good encryption software and books, articles, and essays about how to use it. Yet there is precious little for users who want enough information about encryption to use it safely, securely, and appropriately-WITHOUT having to become experts in cryptography. Data encryption is a powerful tool. It turns ordinary, readable data into what looks like gibberish that only the end user can transform. The difficulty with encryption has much to do with determining the threats one needs to protect against and then using the proper tool correctly. This title presents just enough for average readers to begin protecting their data immediately. Current books and articles about encryption begin with statistics and reports on the costs of data loss and quickly bog down in cryptographic theory and jargon, followed by attempts to list the latest and greatest tools and techniques. After walkthroughs of the download/install process, there's precious little room to discuss what most readers want: how to encrypt a thumb drive or email message, or digitally sign a data file.
