RE: Protecting sensitive files on a Windows file server

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.



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-----Original Message-----
From: Roger A. Grimes [mailto:roger@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx]
Sent: Tuesday, June 20, 2006 9:01 PM
To: paul.johnson8@xxxxxxxxx; security basics
Subject: RE: Protecting sensitive files on a Windows file server

-See replies below.

Roger

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*Roger A. Grimes, InfoWorld, Security Columnist
*CPA, CISSP, MCSE: Security (2000/2003/MVP), CEH, yada...yada...
*email: roger_grimes@xxxxxxxxxxxxx or roger@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
*Author of Professional Windows Desktop and Server Hardening (Wrox)
*http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0764599909
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-----Original Message-----
From: paul.johnson8@xxxxxxxxx [mailto:paul.johnson8@xxxxxxxxx]
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@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> 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@xxxxxxxxxxxxx or roger@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx *Author of
Professional Windows Desktop and Server Hardening (Wrox)
*http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0764599909
*****************************************************************



-----Original Message-----
From: paul.johnson8@xxxxxxxxx [mailto:paul.johnson8@xxxxxxxxx]
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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