Maybe a TrueCrypt dedicated Forum is needed?

I think it's about time we opened a dedicated TrueCrypt Forum.

One subsection labeled HELP! or HELP NOW! should cover it.

 

Amen!

 

I agree. There is a lot of threads regarding TrueCrypt problems and questions on this forum.

hqsec

 

I have been on the TC forums for years. The place is a mgmt ghost town. There is never any Mod or Admin activity there. Its starting to feel like an IP "honeypot" or something along those lines. Why host a site where Mgmt of any kind is absent on the front end. Makes no sense to me. Kind of an uncomfortable feeling when you are there. My take.

 

I'd be in favor of that. However, we would also need to encourage additional expert users to participate.

 

Good idea. I don't know why anybody uses TC. It's more trouble than it's worth.

 

Then what do you recommend that is a complete alternative to TrueCrypt that is less troublesome? Or is encryption in general "more trouble than it's worth"?

 

The trouble with TrueCrypt is operator error. You cannot imagine how many people deploy absolute full encryption without even studying the manual, making rescue disk backups, making volume header backups, etc..... I cannot even count the times I have helped someone try and retrieve data they lost and sure enough ----- what is a rescue disk? Ummmmmm, I can't seem to find any of my volume header backups!! Ummmmmmm, I used a Windows install disk and stupid windows "FIXED" my disk and burned me. Really!! If you spent a few hours reading the forums there you would have seen dozens if not hundreds of threads that create an echo of the same stuff over and over. I run into the same song with Linux and DmCrypt/LUKS, but its much less because usually linux folks are more cautious about backing up things like headers and stuff. And yes, the linux headers all need to be backed up just like TC. I have compiled it several times and have used modified code and never have I lost any data at all. Not because I am expert but because I backup my backups.

 

+1

I tried to signup over there, but it wouldn't accept my email, I finally gave up.

 

What I suggest is BestCrypt from Jetico. They even got a "BestCrypt Development Kit" that allows you to evaluate the existence of backdoors. TC has got a certain history. Many years ago, there were issues with E4M and Drivecrypt. That is why - apparently - TC started. Still, nobody knows where they come from. The bottomline is - as usual: There is nothing such as a free lunch.

 

I would greatly prefer it if all of the TC stuff went into its own forum, as I'm starting to lose track of all of the scattered threads. It would make things easier for the users too. Plus, it would de-clutter the current privacy forums.

 

That's the TrueCrypt paradox. It attracts Windows users who expect hand-holding, and by the time things go wrong, it's often too late.

If dantz likes the idea of having a dedicated TrueCrypt forum on Wilders, I totally agree.

I also think that a few FAQs would address the most common questions. I'd offer to help, but I don't know TrueCrypt very well.

 

System encryption and hidden volumes should be locked out or hidden in some way. A noob should only be working with file containers. Hopefully any future version of TC will have these "advanced" features hidden in some way for new users. Activated only via command line, registry tweak, etc...

 

As I have understood it, the problems with TC´s system encryption arise from the fact that it´s not integrated with Windows. But system encryption will be standard and enabled by default in Windows computers. So, that seems the way to go.

 

Well, yes ... but that requires trusting Microsoft etc.

And that's why some prefer TrueCrypt.

 

Well as one such stupid user I guess I'm part of the problem since I messed up my TrueCrypt volumes in Windows. I'd been running volumes like that for a few years and this is the first time I've had an error. I started a thread and dantz has been very helpful to me. Even if I don't get my data back I'm appreciative of his assistance. The incident has also taught me a lesson about the risks of relying on TrueCrypt absolutely. I understand why more experienced users are sick and tired of the same issue time and again. In response to this personally, I've created backup headers for my volumes. My ignorance of the software after all these years was inexcusable.

 

I see that you've created the new section and have moved a large number of encryption-problem-related threads into it.

Wow! Now that I see all of those threads together in one place it looks rather daunting. But thanks, we'll try it! I think this will make everyone happier.

 

That's very cool. Thank you, LowWaterMark.

 

Thank you LWM!!!