Truecrypt: Which encryption is the most secure?
TrueCrypt offers various types of encryption, but which is the most secure remains questionable. We are trying to answer this question.
TrueCrypt encryption: everyone is secure
Since all encryption methods are extremely secure and each method has its advantages and disadvantages, the question is difficult to answer. However, there are a few things you should know and consider:
- AES, Serpent, TwoFish: These are the three main encryption methods that TrueCrypt offers. All are considered extremely safe by today's standards. The differences in security are minimal. Serpent is considered a bit safer by some experts, but you can't really prove it.
- Cascades: TrueCrypt also offers so-called cascades. Two or all three of the methods are switched in series, so that you get, for example, AES TwoFish Serpent encryption. While this is much more difficult to decipher, the performance of your hard drive will suffer immensely.
- Benchmark: If you have reached TrueCrypt in the step to choose the encryption, you will find the "Benchmark" button. Here you can test for yourself how long it takes your hard drive to encrypt and decrypt the data using the various methods.
- Password: Should someone crack your encrypted data, it will not be due to the encryption method, but to your password. Even the best encryption doesn't help if the password is bad.
Truecrypt: Which encryption is the best?
- AES: The AES standard is the constant favorite when it comes to encryption. Even most government agencies use this standard to protect your documents. This standard is not only secure, but also the fastest by far.
- TwoFish: TwoFish is also considered extremely safe and actually unbreakable. However, encryption works about six times as slowly as AES.
- Serpent: This standard is considered to be minimally safer by some experts, but you can't really prove it. However, Serpent also works the slowest of the three methods, which greatly reduces the performance of your computer.
- Conclusion: For private photos or business secrets you are well served with the fast AES encryption. The AES standard should be sufficient even for terrorists.
Since the password in TrueCrypt is much more important than the encryption method, you should make it as secure as possible. You can find out what a secure password is in this practical tip. If you have forgotten your secure password for TrueCrypt, we will show you your options here.