PGP whole disk encryption

PGP whole disk encryption (WDE) has just been high lighted in cryptogram. I would like to share my experience with it. This is not a "plug" nor an outright condemnation - just my experience with it.

WDE installs easily but takes several hours to encrypt a disk (160GB drive + fast PC). The computer remains usable during this time and the encryption can be done over several sessions.

WDE has very little performance penalty.

WDE threw up write errors daily because of a bad sector on an unused drive. It happened but I have no explanation for it. The disk needed to be unencrypted and then low level tested to find the bad sector and lock it out. The WDE function for unencrypting went well but again took several hours.

Months later an error occurred which forced me to reload Windows XP. For some reason the boot CD initially looked like it would take *10 days* to decrypt the disk. The PGP help desk had no explanation or useful advice for a single PC user. As the decryption process continued it slowed down eventually looking like it would take *30 days*

conclusion:
If you want to use PGP WDE make sure you have a reliable, usable and secure backup system in place.
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