Encrypting File System
Home > Security Definitions - Encrypting File System
SearchSecurity.com Definitions (Powered by WhatIs.com)
EMAIL THIS
LOOK UP TECH TERMS Powered by: WhatIs.com
Search listings for thousands of IT terms:
Browse tech terms alphabetically:
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z #

Encrypting File System



Digg This!    StumbleUpon Toolbar StumbleUpon    Bookmark with Delicious Del.icio.us   

DEFINITION - The Encrypting File System (EFS) is a feature of the Windows 2000 operating system that lets any file or folder be stored in encrypted form and decrypted only by an individual user and an authorized recovery agent. EFS is especially useful for mobile computer users, whose computer (and files) are subject to physical theft, and for storing highly sensitive data.

EFS simply makes encryption an attribute of any file or folder. To store and retrieve a file or folder, a user must request a key from a program that is built into Windows 2000.

Although an encrypting file system has existed in or been an add-on to other operating systems, its inclusion in Windows 2000 is expected to bring the idea to a larger audience.

LAST UPDATED: 29 May 2007

Read more about Encrypting File System:
- Microsoft offers a paper, Encrypting File System for Windows 2000 .
- Go to SearchSecurity.com for security-specific information on Encrypting File System.


Do you have something to add to this definition? Let us know.
Send your comments to techterms@whatis.com


Digg This!    StumbleUpon Toolbar StumbleUpon    Bookmark with Delicious Del.icio.us   


RELATED CONTENT
Growing Mac use prompts call for better security
Some vendors, including Check Point and PGP see growth in whole-disk encryption for Mac OS X laptops on enterprise platforms.
Websense, Reconnex top Forrester ranking of DLP vendors
The data leakage prevention market is branching out into automating data classification, analysis and device management, according to a report from...
Embedded Security Safeguards Laptops
Tech Focus: Secure From Within

RELATED GLOSSARY TERMS
Terms from Whatis.com − the technology online dictionary
Advanced Encryption Standard  (SearchSecurity.com)
Content Scrambling System  (SearchSecurity.com)


TechTarget Security Media
Information Security View this month\\'s issue and subscribe today.
Information Security Decisions Apply online for free conference admission.
SearchSecurity.com
HomeNewsMagazineWebcastsWhite PapersLearningAdviceTopicsEventsAbout Us

About Us  |  Contact Us  |  For Advertisers  |  For Business Partners  |  Site Index  |  RSS
TechTarget provides enterprise IT professionals with the information they need to perform their jobs - from developing strategy, to making cost-effective IT purchase decisions and managing their organizations' IT projects - with its network of technology-specific Web sites, events and magazines.

TechTarget Corporate Web Site  |  Media Kits  |  Reprints  |  Site Map




All Rights Reserved, Copyright 2003 - 2008, TechTarget | Read our Privacy Policy
  TechTarget - The IT Media ROI Experts