
DiskCryptor is a good open source program that enables us to encrypt the hard drive (whole or in part): so there can only be accessed by typing a password. You can encrypt individual partitions (including the boot partition C:), but also USB flash drives and CD/DVD (in this case will be encrypted ISO image, which must then be burned).
In other words you can encrypt an entire hard drive (or any external drive), and if you do not have the password will be impossible to gain access to part of it in any way.
Encryption algorithms to choose from are now considered among the safest, namely AES, Twofish, Serpent.
The efficiency and speed DiskCryptor are excellent.
A powerful processor is not essential, but it is very pleasing, not to suffer delays in operations with the hard disk. Since that henceforth any data that is read or written to the Hard Disk will be encrypted, the processor will be constantly called into question. This will cause a slight slowdown more or less proportional to the power of your CPU.
If you want to know how your computer slows down, try a couple of tests with SSD Benchmark CristDiskMark or AS before and after you encrypt a partition encrypted: you will find that there will be some slowdown, especially if your processor is not last generation.
The usefulness of this program becomes evident especially for notebook computers: while the laptop is lost (or stolen), it will be impossible to access our data without the password.
TrueCrypt, free program to reference the class, certainly has some more features (including the ability to hide an encrypted partition within a normal); DiskCryptor, however, defends himself very well.
IMPORTANT: This is a type of program that needs to be done carefully, and it is
absolutely unsuitable for an inexperienced user. In fact, if by chance one day install an application that creates conflicts of any kind and Windows no longer able to boot, or if the hard drive begins to malfunction, or if it should happen that something unexpected will prevent DiskCryptor leaving (you corrupts the boot partition), then it can become difficult-sometimes impossible-to access our data (or even simply recover).
DiskCryptor