As of late 2004, all connections to Cunix and Columbia's email servers are encrypted. That means that information cannot be captured as it travels back and forth between your machine and CUIT's servers. But what about data that lives on your machine? What if someone gets their hands on your hard drive?

The most recent Windows and Macintosh operating systems can easily encrypt files on your machine. Instructions are provided below. Before you begin experimenting with data encryption, it is important to realize that if you ever forget the password that you use to log in to your machine, all data that you have encrypted will be lost forever.

Microsoft's best practices for the Encrypting File System in Windows

Apple's FileVault encryption tool for OS X 10.5

Instructions for password protecting and encrypting MS Office 2003 documents

Instructions for password protecting and encrypting MS Office 2007 documents

To reach this page quickly in the future, use the keyword encryption.

Send reports of security incidents, attacks, or questions to security@columbia.edu