Should we be worried? Memory trick breaks PC encryption

[0iD]

Encrypted information held on a laptop is more vulnerable than previously thought, US research has shown.

Scientists have shown that it is possible to recover the key that unscrambles data from a PC's memory.

It was previously thought that data held in so-called "volatile memory" was only retained for a few seconds after the machine was switched off.

But the team found that data including encryption keys could be held and retrieved for up to several minutes.

Should we be worried about this? What do you think?

BBC NEWS | Technology | Memory trick breaks PC encryption

[kalniel]

If you're in imminant danger of an FBI raid then yes.

[dangel]

When I think of the bbc tech reporters I imagine the F16 of technology roaring straight over their heads.

Nothing beats a sensationalist headline designed to scare the ignorant.

[TheAnimus]

Or you can just turn on memory testing in the BIOS.

the time you spending waiting for the 4gig to test will serve you right for been so stupid and parinoid.

[explicitlyrics]

This post came up on hackaday over a fortnight ago and I found it a very interesting read. Not so much worrying personally, however it is amusing that the designers never considered this possibility.

Breaking disk encryption with RAM dumps - Hack a Day

That is the link if you are interested and it shows how it is actually a very easy process. There are several USB based boot systems that will do exactly this task, which is actually a very smart idea.

[Funkstar]

Haw about this for a security loop hole?

Windows passwords easily bypassed over Firewire - Engadget

Works on Mac and Windows apparently.