Security Basics mailing list archives
RE: Protecting sensitive files on a Windows file server
From: "Tyler, Grayling" <ggtyler () foodlion com>
Date: Wed, 21 Jun 2006 14:49:12 -0400
I agree that using the password protection from within outlook isn't especially secure (using the file encryption is better though). EFS aren't much better because of the recovery keys. If all you're doing is keeping the honest people honest then either would likely suffice. If its honest-to-goodness sensitive material that you want to protect from not so honest people then use the RSA with token or PGP. All communication regarding everyday IT support needs such as IT problems / incidents should be directed to the ITCRC team at x2848 instead of contacting the various associates directly within the IT department. By logging all problems / incidents with the ITCRC team, this will provide us more visibility into the various types of calls we are receiving, trending of these calls, numbers of calls, etc. The ITCRC team will bring more attention to your issues and allow prompt resolution to your calls. -----Original Message----- From: Roger A. Grimes [mailto:roger () banneretcs com] Sent: Tuesday, June 20, 2006 9:01 PM To: paul.johnson8 () gmail com; security basics Subject: RE: Protecting sensitive files on a Windows file server -See replies below. Roger ***************************************************************** *Roger A. Grimes, InfoWorld, Security Columnist *CPA, CISSP, MCSE: Security (2000/2003/MVP), CEH, yada...yada... *email: roger_grimes () infoworld com or roger () banneretcs com *Author of Professional Windows Desktop and Server Hardening (Wrox) *http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0764599909 ***************************************************************** -----Original Message----- From: paul.johnson8 () gmail com [mailto:paul.johnson8 () gmail com] Sent: Tuesday, June 20, 2006 7:54 PM To: Roger A. Grimes; security basics Subject: Re: Protecting sensitive files on a Windows file server We discovered with Office 2003, using the default Office 97/2000 compatible encryption type to protect the files, it is possible to recover the passwords/data using software such as Elcomsoft Password recovery (which can also break EFS) and online password/data recovery services no matter how long the password or complexity in under 5 mins. -It's worse than that. Office passwords can always be removed (set to blank) because the password is stored in a known and editable location. -Elcomsoft does not "crack" EFS private keys. It breaks the Administrator account password (or uses the logon Administrator credentials) to programmatically gain access to the otherwise protected EFS private key. If the intruder breaks your Admin password or is able to get logged on as Administrator, it's always game over...and cracking EFS keys is only one your problems. How are others protecting this information in their place of work? -Most aren't. Just read the papers. Of those that are, most are using EFS (again most users aren't), PGP, RSA, or some other commercial solutions. There are dozens of commercial encryption solutions, and kudos to you for looking into this. On 21/06/06, Roger A. Grimes <roger () banneretcs com> wrote:
There are many great commercial solutions, like PGP Desktop, but EFS is free and works well if you handle key archival seriously. EFS works well, but it is not as eloquent as many of the other solutions (don't forget TrueCrypt for a free solution). For example, EFS only encrypts data while its stored on the hard drive, but the data is decrypted (using EFS alone) when copied across the network or down to other media. PGP Desktop, with NetShare, allows the files and keys to be managed easier and to remain encrypted where ever they
ended up (i.e.
USB key, CD-ROM, etc.); and with a single encryption key. Office 2003 encryption isn't good encryption; easy to bypass. Winzip leaves unencrypted recoverable temp files. Just my one-half cent. I haven't tried the RSA solution. Roger ***************************************************************** *Roger A. Grimes, InfoWorld, Security Columnist *CPA, CISSP, MCSE: Security (2000/2003/MVP), CEH, yada...yada... *email: roger_grimes () infoworld com or roger () banneretcs com *Author of Professional Windows Desktop and Server Hardening (Wrox) *http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0764599909 ***************************************************************** -----Original Message----- From: paul.johnson8 () gmail com [mailto:paul.johnson8 () gmail com] Sent: Monday, June 19, 2006 7:39 PM To: security basics Subject: Protecting sensitive files on a Windows file server We are looking for a secure way to store very sensitive files on our Windows servers. The data is shared. We will turn on full auditing, create hidden shares and a security group. Which type of protection would be most suitable: Office 2003 encryption Windows EFS Winzip 9.x encrypted archives RSA SecurID Windows Agent (2 factor authentication) PGP Desktop Pro Our concern with the Windows/Office encryption types is that it could be cracked - ie. someone could get hold of the file and run some kind of password recovery on the file and access the data. Any ideas on how to approach this would be much appreciated.
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Current thread:
- Protecting sensitive files on a Windows file server paul.johnson8 () gmail com (Jun 20)
- Message not available
- Re: Protecting sensitive files on a Windows file server paul.johnson8 () gmail com (Jun 21)
- RE: Protecting sensitive files on a Windows file server Roger A. Grimes (Jun 21)
- Re: Protecting sensitive files on a Windows file server paul.johnson8 () gmail com (Jun 21)
- Message not available
- Re: Protecting sensitive files on a Windows file server Gaddis, Jeremy L. (Jun 21)
- Re: Protecting sensitive files on a Windows file server paul.johnson8 () gmail com (Jun 22)
- Re: Protecting sensitive files on a Windows file server Gaddis, Jeremy L. (Jun 22)
- Re: Protecting sensitive files on a Windows file server paul.johnson8 () gmail com (Jun 23)
- Re: Protecting sensitive files on a Windows file server paul.johnson8 () gmail com (Jun 22)
- <Possible follow-ups>
- Re: Protecting sensitive files on a Windows file server simonis (Jun 21)
- Re: Protecting sensitive files on a Windows file server paul.johnson8 () gmail com (Jun 21)
- Re: Protecting sensitive files on a Windows file server RandyW (Jun 22)
- RE: Protecting sensitive files on a Windows file server Tyler, Grayling (Jun 22)
- RE: Protecting sensitive files on a Windows file server Roger A. Grimes (Jun 22)
- RE: Protecting sensitive files on a Windows file server David Gillett (Jun 23)
- RE: Protecting sensitive files on a Windows file server Roger A. Grimes (Jun 22)
- RE: Protecting sensitive files on a Windows file server Tyler, Grayling (Jun 22)
- RE: Protecting sensitive files on a Windows file server Tyler, Grayling (Jun 22)
- RE: Protecting sensitive files on a Windows file server Roger A. Grimes (Jun 22)
- RE: Protecting sensitive files on a Windows file server Beauford, Jason (Jun 23)