BitLocker Drive Encryption in Windows 7

In the absence of this feature you also face threatrecovery method to access your data.
from drives such as USB and external storage drives.Before starting the recovery process, you must
When you use this tool to encrypt the system drivedetermine that the drive was not tampered with and
in Windows 7, a Trusted Platform Module (TPM)isolate the computer from the network until any risk
version 1.2 can be used by BitLocket to validate thatpresented by the system is determined. If the
the boot components, such as BIOS, the hardwarerecovered drive is an operating system drive, the
profile, and the operating system that has not beenuser must suspend and resume BitLocker protection
modified from the configuration that was presentin windows 7 setup to update the BitLocker profile
when the drive was unlocked. A TPM is used towith the changed configuration. If the OS drive boot
store keys, passwords, and digital certificates. Youcomponents were changed and the computer has a
can find this chip on motherboard of a computer.TPM, the TPM should be reset by using the TPM
BITLOCKER1If not present on the system, theManagement snap-in. If the recovered drive was a
operating system drive may be encrypted by usingdata drive, you can use the Manage BitLocker option
an encryption key that is stored on removable media,in the BitLocker Control Panel item to reset the
which must be present every time the drive isunlock method.Find it easier to log on to the
unlocked. Besides TPM additional authenticationcomputer using fingerprint biometric devices with
methods for example personal authentication numbernew Windows 7 .
(PIN) and the presence of an external startup keyGrowing number of computers include embedded
can be required to provide multi factor authenticationfingerprint readers which results in the authentication
before unlocking the operating system drive.of user. Software needs to be provided by the
BitLocker protection can be used for fixed ormanufacturer so that biometric devices can be
removable storage drives. A fixed drive is a devicesupported. This results in the difficulty for the user to
that is permanently fixed and cannot removemanage the use of the devices.
frequently from the computer. There are data drivesWindows 7 offers more consistent user experience.
SCSI and ATA are example of fixed storage device.Its advanced features allow the user to launch
Removable data drives can be removed withoutfingerprint application. It offers the following:
shutting down the computer. USB drives and memory1. Availability of biometric devices in windows 7 can
cards are examples of removable data drives.be controlled by the user.
BitLocket uses encryption keys that are derived2. For biometric devices, Device Manager tool
from the operating environment. These keys can besupports managing drivers.
a password or smart card.3. To configure the use of the biometric data to log
You should use this tool very carefully and withon to a local computer Credential provider support is
proper instructions. If an unlock method fails, such asmade available.
if the TPM detects a change in boot components or4. You can easily update with Windows update as
a password is forgotten, you will need to use aBiometric device driver software are available.